Rural Sociology Graduate Programs
Areas of Emphasis
The graduate program in rural sociology offers two areas of emphasis:
In addition to these specialty areas, students can also pursue studies through the Community Processes Graduate Certificate Program.
Master of Science Degrees
The principal master's degree in rural sociology is the 39-credit-hour professional master's degree. The program is designed to prepare students for positions in the public and private sectors, and it is particularly useful for positions that include applied research, policy analysis or community development. Students who wish to complete a master's degree in rural sociology followed by a doctoral degree in the program also are encouraged to pursue the degree.
A 30-credit-hour traditional master's degree, requiring a thesis, is also offered. The degree primarily is intended for those who intend to pursue doctoral studies or who have a special reason for wanting a thesis degree. Although it requires fewer credit hours, a thesis degree normally requires one semester longer to complete than the professional master's degree.
Doctoral Degree
The 72-credit-hour doctoral degree primarily is a research degree and is intended for those who plan to pursue the following careers:
- Academic institutions
- Public- or private-sector organizations in research or planning departments
- Administrative leadership positions in academic or research settings
- Nonprofit organizations
- Independent consulting in specialized research or policy analysis
Highly qualified students may enter the program with a bachelor's degree. That is not recommended for most students, however. Most students will enter the program with a master's degree that included a research component.
More Information
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook (PDF), which contains detailed information about procedures.
