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Research Skills to Improve Society

The Master of Arts in Sociology Research and Practice will prepare you for a doctoral program or a career in social advocacy, research, teaching, human services, or policy-making. In this program, you will learn methods of doing research on health and society; engage in a research project focused on issues in Washington, DC; build your qualitative and quantitative data analysis capacity; and hone your ability to present results of research to various audiences.

Our students immerse themselves in research focusing on the social determinants of health—particularly related to social inequities of race/ethnicity, social class, gender and sexuality—in connection to other sociological subfields, such as urban development, migration, education, and social movements.

AU’s program is set apart by its practicum experience, in which you will work with faculty over four semesters to complete a professional-quality research project. The practicum provides a unique opportunity to learn the practical skills necessary to conduct research and communicate your findings. You will gain practical, hands-on experience working side-by-side with faculty on cutting-edge research to improve society’s health and well-being.

The American University Sociology Master's Program has been ranked 15th in the nation as "Best Pracitum Experience" on its recently published "The Best Master's Program in Sociology Degree Programs."

Selected
Curriculum
Washington, DC
Faculty

Research-Based Learning

Half of the credits in this 30-credit program are devoted to the five-course practicum experience, in which you conduct a research project from start to finish. In these courses, you will learn research design, develop and implement a research plan, develop cutting-edge skills to analyze the gathered data, and present your results. The remaining credits include sociological theory and electives to broaden your substantive or methodological expertise.

The majority of classes meet at night, making this program an excellent fit for part-time students and working professionals.

See all admissions and course requirements.

Make a Difference in Your Career and the World

The vast array of intellectual and professional opportunities afforded by the DC area make AU the ideal place to study sociology. In the capital, you can attend seminars, talks, and policy briefings at important government institutions and NGOs, such as congress, the Brookings Institute, the Urban Institute, and the National Institutes of Health, creating opportunities to network and meet policy leaders. The department also brings the experts to you with weekly seminars hosted by the Center on Health, Risk, and Society. The DC area is one of the largest markets for research positions in the world, and many of our graduates go on to work with the area’s research and policy institutions or the federal government.

Distinguished Faculty Dedicated to Your Success

In this program, you will work closely with the renowned faculty members of the AU sociology department, who are widely published leaders of sociological, social science, and interdisciplinary organizations. Known for their work on how social conditions cause health inequality, they are national leaders in the study of social determinants of AIDS, obesity, and chronic disease in old age.

You will have a variety of research options due to our faculty’s broad range of expertise, including gender and globalization, language and inequality, social policy, development, the environment, social advocacy, migration, gender/sexuality, media, religion, and race/ethnicity.

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes
Admissions Requirements:

Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores
Résumé

Economics, Applied (MA, online) Requirements: http://programs.online.american.edu/econ/masters-economics

Faculty Contact:


MA Student Cohorts

2020-2022

  • SteVon Felton, Sociology, Cornell University, 2022
  • Jessica Chaikof, Social Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University 2022
  • Daniel Jenks, Mathematica Policy Research, 2022
  • Isabella Goris, Administrative Services and Student Employment Specialist, University Library, American University, 2022

Jessica Chaikof."The SORP program at American University was not only one of the most rewarding experiences of my life but also helped to prepare me for a PhD program. With guidance from faculty, I was able to develop and implement my own research project based on my interests. The support I received from my cohort and faculty has been incredibly invaluable for my career as a researcher."
—Jessica Chaikof, MS '22

2019-2021 

  • Deziree Jackson, Sociology, Indiana University, 2021
  • Emma Vetter, Sociology, George Mason University, 2021
  • Sarah Schech, Sociology, SUNY at Albany, 2021
  • Jhamiel Prince, Criminology, Law and Society, University of California Irvine, 2022
  • Abby Ferdinando, Director, KRC Research, 2022
  • Carina Cione, Program Coordinator, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, 2022

News & Notes

Kim Blankenship received supplemental funding in the amount of $39,930 (in addition to previous grant funding of $112,910) from Yale University for the project “The effects of rental assistance on type 2 diabetes self-management and control.”

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Steven Dashiell published The Complex Relationship between Black Gamers and Hogwarts Legacy.

Prof. Ernesto Castañeda published Despite the End of Title 42, Restrictions on Asylum Seekers Are Expected to Continue under Biden Administration.

Tracy Weitz received a $500,000 award from the Hewlett Foundation for "Ensuring the timely share and use of information about changes in the US abortion landscape.”

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To the Point: Mifepristone (aka “the abortion pill”) Has Been in the News a Lot Lately—Why?

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Center on Health, Risk, and Society

An interdisciplinary community of scholars conducting research on the social dimensions of health and health-related risks, especially on their roots in social inequality, and on structural interventions aimed at addressing them.

CHRS Home

Center for Latin American & Latino Studies

CLALS is a multidisciplinary center harnessing expertise from throughout the AU community and with counterparts around the world to serve as a catalyst for creation of knowledge about Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latino communities in the US. 

CLALS Home

Alum Spotlights

Emma Vetter, AU sociology.

Emma Vetter Sociology MA '21

Emma Vetter has made the most of her time at American University. While earning her MA in Sociology Research and Practice, she’s worked as research assistant for three professors, learning new skills along the way.

It’s all prepared her for the next big step in her academic career, pursuing her PhD:

My combined research experiences with the Department of Sociology have allowed me to better understand how research moves from ideas to theory, research questions, and hypotheses. These opportunities have shown me how sociological methods can capture the lived experiences of overlooked communities. I am very grateful for my time at AU and with the sociology department for helping me grow academically.

As a research assistant, Emma’s work has ranged greatly. Working with Professor Nicole Angotti, she executed independent, in-person observations and interviews to pilot research methods. She also composed field notes and created observation protocol instructions. Working in Professor Ernesto Castañeda’s Immigration Lab, Emma researched social determinants of health and worked as the third author on a peer-reviewed journal article about health disparities (Journal of Migration and Health). For Professor Gay Young, Emma is examining the role of collective emotions in the 2020 presidential election.

Rebekah Israel Cross

Rebekah Israel CrossSociology MA '13

At AU Rebekah led Alternative Break trips to South Africa and Haiti. She worked as a research assistant, a TA, and the research project coordinator for a study on perceptions of HIV and HIV testing among African American and East African-born women in DC.

My main research interests include race, class, and gender disparities in health.

After graduation, she worked for the Black AIDS Institute and as Assistant Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is pursuing a PhD at UCLA, studying the impact of racism on public health.