Letter in Social Research Analysis
The Sociology Department offers an Undergraduate Traineeship in Social Research Analysis (UTSRA). Its purpose is to master basic skills in gathering and analyzing data. Students completing the letter can expect to obtain entry level jobs in environments where research is conducted. The letter also provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue a Master’s Degree in fields like survey research, public health, program evaluation, market research, public policy and public administration,
Recipients need not be Sociology majors but formal application is made at the Sociology Undergraduate Office, Thompson 712. In selecting courses, students should consult the Program Co-ordinator, Professor Sanjiv Gupta (sangupta@soc.umass.edu) 577-1773.
Requirements
Students take three required courses, one approved elective course and 6 credits of graded internship. To receive the letter, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in the 18 credits associated with the undertaking.
Courses
Sociol 212 Statistics
(an introductory statistics course in another department may be substituted for Sociol 212)
Sociol 213 Data Collection and Analysis
Sociol 314 Field Research Methods
Elective Course
To be certain of receiving credit, students must consult the Program Co-ordinator when choosing their elective. Possibilities include advanced courses in research methods in the Sociology Department as well as in other departments. Potentially acceptable choices include
Sociol 313 Survey Design and Analysis
Psych 241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology
Res-Econ 313 Quantitative Methods in Applied Economics
Geo-Sci 352 Computer Mapping
PubHlth 324 Epidemiology in Public Health
Comm 355 Behavioral Research in Communication
Internship
To be certain of receiving credit, students’ internships must be approved by the Program Co-ordinator. In ordinary circumstances, students will enroll in two three-credit internships spread across two consecutive semesters, under the same sponsor. The Program Co-ordinator can help students locate sponsors. Possible sponsors include faculty members in the Sociology Department, faculty and professional staff registered with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (1001 DuBois Library), or agencies registered with the Field Experience Office (Goodell 511). Graded internships appear on students’ records as Sociol 398.
