Asa graduate student in sociology or rural sociology, you will become a capable and creative researcher by engaging in either independent or group research under the direction of award-winning faculty members. Preparation for the graduate degree is not confined to formal class work and activity on research projects. You will also work toward intellectual independence while developing an integrated grasp of the field. We encourage you to explore.
A Masters thesis or a Ph.D. dissertation is required in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. For more detailed information, see the Department Graduate Handbook. General information about the Thesis and Dissertation process can be found on the Graduate College website. -
college.iastate.edu/thesis/.
The social and economic disparities area of study focuses on theory, empirical research and the professional practices that have been at the core of sociology from the beginning of the discipline. The study of social and economic inequalities involves innovative research methods combined with the most advanced theories of social and economic inequality, demography, labor and employment, migration and immigration, and group/organizational processes in society
Agriculture, environment and development is an area of study in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice that engages research, teaching and extension activities to help understand and solve problems related to agriculture and food, the environment and natural resources, development and social change, and rural and regional issues. The area of study is grounded in the disciplinary fields of rural sociology and development sociology, both of which share theory and methods with the larger discipline of sociology.
Criminology and criminal justice is an area of study that engages in teaching, research and outreach activities around criminal offending, victimization and the societal and criminal justice system response to crime. The area of study incorporates a balance of practical and basic research in achieving the goal of helping stakeholders understand and manage the crime problem across the life span, from youth to prisoners serving life sentences. The area of study is grounded in the sociological traditions of criminology, but incorporates knowledge from many perspectives, heavily emphasizing interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Graduate students in sociology engage in either independent or group research under the direction of award-winning faculty members, developing extensive research skills in the process. Preparation for the graduate degree is not confined to formal class work and activity on research projects, however. Students also work toward intellectual independence while developing an integrated grasp of the field.
The Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education offers graduate programs that help prepare qualified graduates for leading roles in industry, government, and academia. Disciplines include agricultural education; community and economic development; rural sociology; energy, environmental, and food economics; and more.
Prepares graduates for employment in college and university programs, non-formal educational settings (e.g., family and youth programming), state-level administration, local-level administration, private industry, and international development.
Master of science, doctoral, and dual-title graduate programs in: energy economics, policy, and systems; the food system and its industrial organization; natural resources and the environment; and the food system and its industrial organization.
Handbooks and student orientation, information for international students, research integrity, funding opportunities, and more for new Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education graduate students.
All degree programs emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the various facets of societal organization pertinent to the rural sector. While breadth is encouraged, areas of special interest and research include rural social change, community structure, population, rural community development, the structure of agriculture, natural resources, and the environment.
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.
Prerequisites for the master's program include 3 credits in rural sociology or sociology, and additional credits in either field. If the entering student does not have these prerequisites, they must be made up at the University during the early part of the master's program.
Students with a 3.00 junior/senior average (on a 4.00 scale) and with appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission. The best-qualified applicants will be accepted up to the number of spaces that are available for new students. Exceptions to the minimum 3.00 grade-point average may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.
There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree; the student is expected to substitute such courses and instruction necessary to generate superior capabilities of inquiry into an analysis of basic and/or applied rural sociological problems.
Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Rural Sociology and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the Demography dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Demography Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in Demography prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program.
To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the degree requirements for the degree they are enrolled in Rural Sociology. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title in Demography, listed on the Demography Bulletin page.
Students in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that is approved in advance by their Ph.D. committee and reflects their original research and education in Rural Sociology and Demography. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.
Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Rural Sociology and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society Bulletin page. Doctoral students should enroll in a dual-title graduate degree program early in their training, and no later than the end of the fourth semester (not counting summer semesters) of entry into the graduate major program.
To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the degree requirements for the degree they are enrolled in Rural Sociology. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society, listed on the Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society Bulletin page.
The qualifying examination for Rural Sociology will satisfy the qualifying exam requirement for the dual-title degree program in TREES. Dual-title graduate degree students may require an additional semester to fulfill requirements for both areas of study and, therefore, the qualifying examination may be delayed one semester beyond the normal period allowable.
Students in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that is approved in advance by their Ph.D. committee and reflects their original research and education in Rural Sociology and Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School.
Graduate students with research and educational experiences in rural sociology may apply to the Rural Sociology/INTAD dual-title degree program. The goal of the dual-title RSOC/INTAD degree program is to enable graduate students from RSOC to acquire the knowledge and skills of their major area of specialization in RSOC, while at the same time gaining the perspective and methods needed to work internationally. Graduate study in this program seeks to prepare students to assume leadership roles in professions in international agriculture and development requiring state-of-the-art methodological training, as well as of conceptual expertise in rural sociology and in one or more of RSOC's four signature areas:
Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Rural Sociology and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admissions requirements of the International Agriculture and Development dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the International Agriculture and Development Bulletin page. Doctoral students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in International Agriculture and Development prior to taking the qualifying examination in their primary graduate program.
To qualify for a dual-title degree, students must satisfy the requirements of the Rural Sociology program in which they are primarily enrolled. In addition, students must complete the degree requirements for the dual-title in International Agriculture and Development, listed on the International Agriculture and Development Bulletin page.
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