The Master of Arts in Social Research and Data Analysis is a dynamic degree program that trains students to harness the power of data to improve programs, change social policies, market a product, execute an advertising campaign and inform business decision making.
Students in the program gain valuable skills in survey writing, focus groups moderating, ethnographic research, data analysis and data and text mining. They can tailor their program by taking electives in social policy research, business analytics, communications and media, or earth and environmental sciences.
We Are Flexible: Our 10 course/30 credits Social Research and Data Analysis program is designed for full or part-time study with program completion in 16 – 20 months.
You may start in the Fall or Spring semester and enroll in both hybrid modalities (blend of in-person and virtual) and online courses:
Hybrid Program Option – Take a mix of on-campus and online courses for a customized learning experience. Choose this option if you can come to campus for at least 1 course per semester. You will still be able to choose online courses. This choice will give you more opportunities to interact with students and faculty in person.
Online Program Option– Take all your classes online from any location, in the United States or anywhere in the world. Online courses are offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. All of the course offerings provide you with opportunities to engage fully with your peers and professors online. *F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program option.
Students learn to use software like SPSS, R, Qualtrics and NVivo to analyze data and make evidence based decisions. The Master’s can also become a stepping stone to a PhD.
The Office of Graduate Admissions requires a U.S. bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, in order to be eligible to apply for the MA in Social Research and Data Analysis graduate program. Some advanced undergraduates qualify to begin the program before they graduate. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission.
Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions. The $60 application fee will be waived for for attendees at Open Houses, Information Sessions and Information Webinars.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Social Research and Data Analysis (MA) program:
Transcript: One from each college attended.
Statement of Purpose – Please write an integrated essay providing a response to each of the following questions:
What are your goals for graduate study and your future career?
In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career? Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience.
Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
Letters of Recommendation (Optional): You may optionally submit up to two (2) letters of recommendation, from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s promise of academic achievement and potential for professional growth. However, we do encourage applicants with an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 to consider submitting at least one recommendation letter.
GRE: Not required.
Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
