The Master's Thesis: A Valuable (but Overlooked) Tool for Learning How to Apply Sociology

Abstract

Although attention has been given to the manner in which applied sociology is learned by students, the master's thesis is not often taken into account. In the following manuscript, I argue that the thesis should be considered as a tool for learning applied sociology. Graduate students can use the thesis to learn new skills and further develop skills already gained in the classroom and through outside of the classroom experiences. To provide an example, one student's thesis is used as a case study to show how it functioned as a learning tool for various skills including: developing research questions, grant writing, coordination with outside parties, applying sociological theory, developing methodological/analytical skills, and more. Based on the outcome of this example, it is suggested that departments which focus on applied sociology give further consideration to using the thesis as a tool to teach graduate students applied sociology.