Graduate Program in Applied Social Research (GSR)
The Department of Sociology offers an intensive program in social research leading to the Master of Science degree. The program is designed for individuals with a background in the social sciences who wish to pursue a career in research and related areas, as well as for those who wish to upgrade their research skills.
Hunter's MS in Applied Social Research Program was identified in 2000 as one of the top 5 Sociology Masters' Programs in the U.S. Specializing in Applied Research Methodology, by Lingua Franca's The Real Guide To Grad School.
All courses are scheduled in the evening.
Students wishing to learn more about the program are encouraged to talk with the Program Director, Professor Howard Lune, who can be reached in the program office in 1601 Hunter West or just send us your questions here. Additional information on the program is available from the Graduate Bulletin of Hunter College, as well as in a brochure that is available in the department and program offices.
Thinking about a Master's Degree in Sociology or Social Research? See ASA student satisfaction survey here, or view the whole study here.
The Field of Applied Social Research
In response to the growing demand for professional social researchers in the public and private sectors, the Hunter College Department of Sociology offers the only graduate program in the United States leading to a Master of Science in Social Research (MSSR) The program is distinctive in its focus on applied social research in the real world. Course work concentrates on building skills in research design, sampling, data analysis, and interpretation. It offers areas of specialization in media research and analysis, marketing research and consumer behavior, research and training in international development, and policy analysis in the public and private non-profit sector. Students can also customize their areas of specialization provided faculty supervision is secured.
Applied social research is an expanding field with challenging, creative and well paid positions in applied social research, policy analysis, and program planning and evaluation. Graduates of the program have been working as senior executives, research directors, research analysts, and consultants for Comedy Central, ABC, Sesame Workshop, Cornell University Medical Center, Lifetime Television, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, McCann-Erickson Worldwide, Philip Morris, Harris Interactive, the National Urban League, Warner Brothers, the New York Times, TBS/TNT, the Center for Disease Control, and Fox TV International. Other graduates have entered PhD programs in schools such as the University of Wisconsin, Rutgers University, SUNY Stony Brook, The University of Maryland, Columbia University, NYU, Fordham University, Michigan University, CUNY Graduate Center, and the Annenberg School of Communication or focused on other graduate programs such as law and social work. Our graduate social research program offers two degree options:
- A 45 credit Master of Science in Social Research degree program for students with a Bachelor’s degree
- An accelerated program leading to a combined BA and MS degree requiring 100 undergraduate and 45 graduate credits for outstanding students majoring in Sociology.