Applied Social Research and Public Policy (ASR), M.A.

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Professor Silver, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5645

The master’s level graduate program in the area of social research and policy is intended to meet the growing demand for advanced training for those with a bachelor’s degree in a related social science who wish to pursue a career in the areas of applied research and public policy. The primary emphasis of the program is to prepare students for public and private sector employment in the United States and internationally. It combines a broad academic experience with applied internship opportunities so that, upon graduation, students are well prepared to work effectively in a global economy and a multicultural environment.

Graduates of the program will be able to seek employment in:

Organizations requiring professionals with research and analysis skills
Research organizations (evaluation, policy, polling, marketing)
Not-for-profit organizations (foundations, advocacy and service agencies, unions)
Federal, state, and local government agencies
Private sector firms with research needs in the areas of personnel, market research, labor relations, public relations, opinion poll research, and social services.

It is anticipated that the program will also provide a solid grounding for those students wishing to use it as a stepping stone toward more advanced graduate level work in the social sciences.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the social sciences, business, or related field, with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Three letters of recommendation.
Written statement of professional interests and goals.
Personal interview.

Program Requirements: Semester Hours: 42

The program requires 42 semester hours of appropriate graduate-level credits. Full-time students should complete the program in two years. Part-time students should complete the program in three years. The program is comprised of three components: the core curriculum, policy concentrations, and research internships.

Core Curriculum Courses: 24 s.h.

ASR 201 - Statistics for Applied Social Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 202 - Multivariate Statistics for Applied Social Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 203 - Qualitative Applied Social Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 204 - Quantitative Applied Social Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 205 - Evaluation Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 206 - Funding and Conducting Community-Based Research Semester Hours: 3
ASR 207 - Social Theory Construction and Contemporary Developments Semester Hours: 3
ASR 210 - Introduction to Policy Analysis Semester Hours: 3

Policy Concentration Courses: 12 s.h.

Chosen from the following:

ASR 220 - Introduction to Health Policy Analysis Semester Hours: 3
ASR 241 - Employment Policy Analysis Semester Hours: 3
ASR 271 - Human Rights Policy and Research Semester Hours: 3
ECO 241 - Employment Policy Analysis Semester Hours: 3
PSY 217 - Organization Development Semester Hours: 3
PSY 219 - Organizational Psychology: Leadership Semester Hours: 3
PSY 283A - Foundations of Industrial/Organizational Psychology I: Industrial Psychology Semester Hours: 3
PSY 283B - Foundations of Industrial/Organizational Psychology II: Organizational Psychology Semester Hours: 3
SOC 250 - Independent Readings in Sociology and Social Policy Semester Hours: 1-3
SOC 251 - Special Topics Seminar: Social Policy Semester Hours: 3
SOC 252 - Special Topics Seminar: Social Policy Semester Hours: 3
SOC 272 - Youth, Social Policy, and the Criminal Justice System Semester Hours: 3

Internship/Thesis: 6 s.h.

Chosen from the following:

ASR 290 - Internship in Applied Social Research and Policy Semester Hours: 3
ASR 291 - Internship in Applied Social Research and Policy Semester Hours: 3
ASR 301 - Master’s Essay Semester Hours: 3

Qualifying Examination

A qualifying examination must be taken and passed upon completion of 24 semester hours in the program. Students have two opportunities to pass the qualifying examination. Additionally, students must maintain a B average with no more than one grade of C per semester, or more than two grades of C toward the M.A.

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