Academic Programs - MA Concentration in Public Sociology

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The sociology faculty at American University in Washington, D.C., announces the new program MA Concentration in Public Sociology (MAPS), within the Master of Arts in sociology. The MAPS concentration, which began in fall 2006, is designed to provide students with training to use theories and methods of sociology in a wide range of work settings, including social activism and advocacy. The program of study leads to career paths ranging from grassroots organizing and work in community-based non-profit agencies and non-governmental organizations to employment in government agencies, legislative offices, "think tanks," advocacy organizations, or private consulting.

This public sociology concentration makes sense at a time when issues of poverty and discrimination, environmental degradation, and human rights, including women’s and sexual rights, command daily news headlines. Society needs professionals with critical and creative analytical skills, honed in real-world settings, to work toward viable solutions to social problems. Our program emphasizes social justice and offers students hands-on experience in exercising critical sociological consciousness in venues concerned with pressing local, national, and international issues. The MAPS concentration is supported by a diverse Advisory Board comprised of sociologists working in high-level government, non-profit, and consulting positions.

Students in the MAPS concentration will pursue coursework in the following:

the sociological core of social theory and social research methods;
social policy analysis and applied/professional sociology;
electives in the areas of social inequality (race and gender), social justice, social change, or social institutions;
projects that involve teamwork, engage decision-makers and community groups, and develop a range of capabilities that can include: needs assessment and strategic planning, managing data collection using a range of methods of observation, interpretation of findings informed by social theory, evaluation of social programs and policies and grant writing.

The program incorporates experiential learning or internships in the many realms in which sociologists are called upon to demonstrate their professional expertise as well as their commitment to progressive social change. The MAPS concentration will appeal to students who want to enhance their marketable skills and pursue a social justice agenda while learning from sociologists who work in government, community-based non-profits, research, or commercial/consulting organizations.

Applications for MAPS are now being accepted for fall 2008. General applications information is available on the Sociology MA main page. Apply online to the MA in Sociology at www.american.edu/cas/admissions/apply.cfm.

To learn more, please read our AU Weekly profile and view our Public Sociology Slideshow (pdf). You can also download a printable version (pdf) of this page.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Russell Stone
202-885-2482
rstone@american.edu

Academic Programs - MA Concentration in Public Sociology Career Prospects \| Advisory Board \| Links \| MA main page The sociology faculty at American University in Washington, D.C., announces the new program MA Concentration in Public Sociology (MAPS), within the Master of Arts in sociology. The MAPS concentration, which began in fall 2006, is designed to provide students with training to use theories and methods of sociology in a wide range of work settings, including social activism and advocacy. The program of study leads to career paths ranging from grassroots organizing and work in community-based non-profit agencies and non-governmental organizations to employment in government agencies, legislative offices, "think tanks," advocacy organizations, or private consulting. This public sociology concentration makes sense at a time when issues of poverty and discrimination, environmental degradation, and human rights, including women’s and sexual rights, command daily news headlines. Society needs professionals with critical and creative analytical skills, honed in real-world settings, to work toward viable solutions to social problems. Our program emphasizes social justice and offers students hands-on experience in exercising critical sociological consciousness in venues concerned with pressing local, national, and international issues. The MAPS concentration is supported by a diverse Advisory Board comprised of sociologists working in high-level government, non-profit, and consulting positions. Students in the MAPS concentration will pursue coursework in the following: the sociological core of social theory and social research methods; social policy analysis and applied/professional sociology; electives in the areas of social inequality (race and gender), social justice, social change, or social institutions; projects that involve teamwork, engage decision-makers and community groups, and develop a range of capabilities that can include: needs assessment and strategic planning, managing data collection using a range of methods of observation, interpretation of findings informed by social theory, evaluation of social programs and policies and grant writing. The program incorporates experiential learning or internships in the many realms in which sociologists are called upon to demonstrate their professional expertise as well as their commitment to progressive social change. The MAPS concentration will appeal to students who want to enhance their marketable skills and pursue a social justice agenda while learning from sociologists who work in government, community-based non-profits, research, or commercial/consulting organizations. Applications for MAPS are now being accepted for fall 2008. General applications information is available on the Sociology MA main page. Apply online to the MA in Sociology at www.american.edu/cas/admissions/apply.cfm. To learn more, please read our AU Weekly profile and view our Public Sociology Slideshow (pdf). You can also download a printable version (pdf) of this page. For more information, please contact: Dr. Russell Stone 202-885-2482 rstone@american.edu
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