MS in Sociology
Masters students receive advanced training in theory, methods, and the practical application of sociological knowledge. At South Dakota State University, master's students may go down any one of three academic tracks: thesis, applied, and non-thesis options. Students traveling down the thesis and non-thesis tracks take advanced courses in sociological theory and methods; only the details vary. Students opting for the applied option specialize in community development. The thesis and non-thesis options are detailed in A Guidebook to the Thesis and Non-Thesis Masters Programs in Sociology. Information on graduate assistantships is also available. We also provide a study guide for master's students nearing the end of their program; this guide helps structure the studying for comprehensive exams. For more information about these graduate programs, please contact Meredith Redlin, the Graduate Program Coordinator.
The Applied Option in Community Development is detailed in GPIDEA Student Guide. For more information about this program, please contact either Meredith Redlin, GPIDEA program advisor, in the Department of Sociology and Rural Studies or GPIDEA@SDState.edu, SDSU GPIDEA coordinator, in Continuing and Extended Education.
- Cost page for GPIDEA Program.
- Apply Now to become part of the Community Development MS Program.
- How the Alliance Works in GPIDEA.
- Community Development Course Planner is an interactive planner that shows students the four-year course schedule and allows them to read course descriptions and learn more about faculty.
- Frequently Asked Questions about the CD MS Program.
The accelerated Master’s program is available to eligible SDSU students conditionally admitted to the graduate program. How it works: If accepted, student will begin graduate courses in the Summer or Fall. Up to 12 graduate level credits will apply to both the undergraduate degree and the Master’s degree making it possible for students to complete their Masters a semester early. Students would first complete two of the required courses and the orientation course offered in summer or fall. Please contact Meredith.Redlin@sdstate.edu, or Mary. Emery@sdstate.edu for more information and application to Master’s program.
PhD in Sociology
The PhD program in Sociology prepares students for careers in teaching, research, and applied Sociology. Our program provides a solid grounding in the core areas of sociological theory and qualitative and quantitative methods as well as advanced coursework in the areas of populations, community and environment, and social justice. Students also complete a practice or applied sociology internship experience in teaching, research, or field work. Course work and practice experience in teaching and learning Sociology offer students an intensive classroom experience, often including online teaching opportunities, and the opportunity to develop skills to engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Our graduates have experience in determining the extent to which their instruction makes a difference in their students’ academic development. Students choosing a research-focused practice experience work with faculty to design and implement studies, collect and analyze data, and develop and present results. Courses and field work in the applied practice setting prepare students to assist public agencies, private organizations and nonprofit institutions in assessing program demands, evaluating program success, informing policy and directing change.
The PhD program is detailed in PhD Program Guidebook. Information on graduate assistantships is also available. For more information about the graduate program contact Meredith Redlin, the PhD Graduate Program Coordinator (605-688-4084).
SOC (Sociology) Courses
- SOC 501 - The Research Process
- SOC 504 - Sociological Inquiry
- SOC 707 - Sociological Practice and Public Policy
- SOC 709 - Evaluation Research
- SOC 710 - Research Methods
- SOC 711 - Qualitative Research Methods
- SOC 712 - Sociological Theory I
- SOC 713 - Sociological Theory II
- SOC 714 - Race, Class, Gender Intersections
- SOC 721 - Social Stratification
- SOC 725 - Social Organization
- SOC 726 - Teaching Sociology
- SOC 727 - Teaching Sociology Practicum
- SOC 738 - Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- SOC 739 - Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Practicum
- SOC 740 - Rural Community Development
- SOC 762 - Applied Demography
- SOC 764 - Modern Demographic Theory
- SOC 766 - World Population Issues
- SOC 788 - Master's Research Problem/Project
- SOC 790 - Seminar
- SOC 791 - Independent Study
- SOC 792 - Topics
- SOC 794 - Internship
- SOC 798 - Thesis
- SOC 898D - Dissertation-PhD
Planned Course Matrix for SOC courses:
Spring 2020
739 SOTL Practicum (1-2 credits) (Emery)
Term | Spring 2018 | Fall 2018 | Spring 2019 | Fall 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core courses - Orientation |
| SOC 790 Orient (Redlin)-evening/virtual |
| SOC 790 Orient (Redlin)-evening/virtual |
|
Core courses - Methods | SOC 710 (Gardezi)-evening/virtual | SOC 501 (Ahmed) evening
SOC 504 (Redlin)
SOC 711 (Yingling) | SOC 710 (Zhang) | SOC 501 (Gardezi) evening/virtual
SOC 504 (Redlin) evening/virtual
SOC 711 (new person) | SOC 710 (Gardezi)
|
Core courses -Theory | SOC 712 (Redlin)-evening/virtual | SOC 713 (May) | SOC 712 (Redlin) | SOC 713 (May) | SOC 712 (Redlin) |
Teaching/practice | 738 SOTL Course (2 credits) (Emery) | SOC 707 Sociological Practice (Emery) | SOC 727 Teaching Sociology Practicum (2 credits) (Emery) | 738 SOTL Course (2 credits) (Emery)
| |
Topical Seminars: if no number put as SOC 790 on your POS, the instructor and the term of offering. | Spatial Thinking in Social Science (Zhang)
Environmental Sociology (May)
CD 603 - Community & Natural Resource Management (Schad) - ONLINE | Spatial Data Analysis (Zhang)
Food, Water, Energy Nexus (Gardezi)
714- Race, Class, Gender (Redlin)
| Social Impact Assessment (new hire)
Advanced Survey Methods - Design (Schad)
Poverty and Development (Gardezi)
| Advanced Survey Methods - Analysis class (Schad)
792 - Drugs and Society (Yingling)
Applied Demography (Zhang)
| Resilience and Vulnerability in Sociological Systems (May)
Spatial Thinking in Social Science (Zhang)
Topics (new hire)
|
SOC 788, 791, 792, 794, 798, 898D (see above lists for titles) require independent work with faculty, students need to visit with individual faculty to set up.
CD (Community Development) Courses
- CD 600 - Orientation to Community Development Study
- CD 601 - Organizing for Community Change
- CD 602 - Community and Regional Economic Policy and Analysis
- CD 603 - Community Natural Resource Management
- CD 604 - Community Analysis
- CD 605 - Principles & Strategies of Community Change
- CD 611 - Impact Analysis
- CD 612 - Housing and Development
- CD 613 - Introduction to Native Community Development
- CD 616 - Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
- CD 617 - Role of Tribal colleges in Economic Development
- CD 623 - Ecological Economics
- CD 624 - Building Native Community and Economic Capacity
- CD 626 - Economic Development Strategies
- CD 631 - Evaluation of Organizations and Programs
- CD 633 - Introduction to Environmental Law
- CD 634 - Native American Natural Resource Management
- CD 635 - Sustainable Communities
- CD 636 - Policy and Politics of Coastal Areas
- CD 637 - Immigration and Communities
- CD 638 - Community and Regional Economic Analysis II
- CD 641 - Leadership for Change
- CD 642 - Grant Writing
- CD 643 - Nonprofit Management
- CD 644 - Participatory Action Research Methods
- CD 645 - Community Developer as Community Education
- CD 791 - Independent Study
- CD 792 - Topics
- CD 794 - Internship
- CD 795 - Practicum
For planned Course Matrix of CD courses, go to https://www.gpidea.org/course-planner/community-development/masters-degree