Graduate Programs

The Master of Science in Applied Sociology program at Southeastern provides students with the ability to research, analyze and develop strategies to promote the effective and efficient functioning of community institutions, organizations and groups of individuals.

Through academically rigorous coursework, graduate research, student internship, and study-abroad opportunities, this program prepares students for careers as administrators, researchers in public or private agencies, or for doctoral studies in sociology and related disciplines.

The program provides students with the opportunity to take sociology and apply it within the community. In doing so, students may elect to concentrate in Criminal Justice or Globalization and Sustainability.

Please click on the appropriate links below for additional information about our program. If all your questions are not addressed or would like to schedule a time to visit, please contact our office or our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Michael Bisciglia at Michael.Bisciglia@southeastern.edu.

What can you do with a MSAS?

This degree is designed both for students who have just completed their baccalaureate degree in the social sciences and for those currently working who would like to pursue a graduate degree to expand their professional opportunities.

Organizations and agencies of all types are increasingly using social science research for program planning, development, evaluation and problem solving. The demand for accountability within agencies continues to increase nation wide. Public and nonprofit private agencies must now show that they provide needed services and that these services meet the demonstrated need. In recent years, governmental and private agencies have turned to social science research to provide the information needed to develop effective and efficient programs.

Persons with this degree will be trained to work as middle to high level administrators or researchers in public and private agencies. We have specifically received letters of support expressing an interest in our graduates from several law enforcement agencies, the judicial system, city, parish and state agencies, (such as mayor's offices, school boards, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Louisiana Department of Social Services Office of Community Services), health care facilities, Legal Services Corporation, law firms, and Youth Service Bureau.

Thesis Information

The Thesis Option is taken after the completion of the required 30 hours of coursework and the successful completion of the "Thesis Proposal Defense." A thesis is a major work of original and independent research on a topic of interest, undertaken by the student and supervised by the student's major professor and Thesis Committee. All students choosing the thesis option must adhere to the Graduate School's rule mandating continuous registration for all students researching and writing theses.

Students may not enroll in Thesis (SOC 770) with outstanding grade(s) of "I" or "F" in other courses. Additionally, students are not allowed to enroll in Thesis with outstanding grade(s) of "C" in core classes (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, or 606).

Please contact Dr. Micharl Bisciglia (985/549-5966 or Michael.Bisciglia@southeastern.edu) for more information.

Internship

The Internship Option is taken after the completion of the required 30 hours of course work. The internship involves application of sociological principles to work within an organization, agency, community, institution, or business setting, depending upon students' area of interest.

An agency supervisor, student's major professor, and the Internship Committee supervise the work. Students may choose to register for 6 credit hours of SOC 701 for one semester or 3 credit hours of SOC 701 for two consecutive semesters.

Students are not allowed to enroll in the Internship (SOC 701) with outstanding grade(s) of "I" or "F" in other courses. Additionally, no student will be allowed to enroll in the Internship with outstanding grade(s) of "C" in core classes (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, or 606).