2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Oct 05, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Combined Sociology, BA & Public Administration, MPA

Program Description

The combined BA/MPA degree program allows students to earn a BA in Sociology and Master of Public Administration (MPA), with up to nine (9) semester credit hours of approved graduate courses at the 5000, 6000, or 7000 level to be double-counted and applied to both the BA and MPA degree requirements.

Admission Requirements

To participate in the combined-degree program, students must meet the following qualifications:

Senior standing for the semester they start the combined-degree program.
3.0 or better cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate work
Undergraduate advisor’s approval, and
A recommendation from the Master of Public Administration (MPA) advisor to be accepted in the program

Admission Process

At the end of their junior year, students who wish to pursue a five-year combined BA/MPA degree should submit to the Graduate School an application for the combined degree program. Additionally, required documents include: (1) a WSU transcript; (2) A program of study approved by both the Sociology undergraduate advisor and MPA program director.

Sociology BA Program Learning Objectives

Students in the BA in Sociology program will learn to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the major social institutions (family, education, moral order, political and economic orders)
Demonstrate knowledge of the socialization process (social psychology)
Demonstrate knowledge of the role individuals play within organizations such as work, community, political and urban areas and change within these organizations (social organizations)
Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical formulations that serve as the foundation of the major (classical and contemporary theory)
Demonstrate knowledge of basic fundamentals of social statistics and methodology
Demonstrate knowledge of elective courses in substantive areas, such as social inequality and criminal justice
Demonstrate competence in human relations skills, including working with others in groups, making decisions for organizations, and supervising others
Demonstrate competence in analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate solutions for urban social problems
Demonstrate competence in communication skills, including writing formal reports and speaking in front of groups
Demonstrate competence in ethical and moral awareness skills, including the honest portrayal of data
Demonstrate critical understanding of a theoretical model
Demonstrate critical evaluation and testing of a theoretical model
Demonstrate development of social policy to provide solutions to a unique problem (e.g., poverty in urban cities)

Sociology BA Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the BA in Sociology can:

Demonstrate knowledge of the major social institutions (family, education, moral order, political and economic orders)
Demonstrate knowledge of the socialization process (social psychology)
Demonstrate knowledge of the role individuals play within organizations such as work, community, political and urban areas and change within these organizations (social organizations)
Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical formulations that serve as the foundation of the major (classical and contemporary theory)
Demonstrate knowledge of basic fundamentals of social statistics and methodology
Demonstrate knowledge of elective courses in substantive areas, such as social inequality and criminal justice
Demonstrate competence in human relations skills, including working with others in groups, making decisions for organizations, and supervising others
Demonstrate competence in analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate solutions for urban social problems
Demonstrate competence in communication skills, including writing formal reports and speaking in front of groups
Demonstrate competence in ethical and moral awareness skills, including the honest portrayal of data
Demonstrate critical understanding of a theoretical model
Demonstrate critical evaluation and testing of a theoretical model
Demonstrate development of social policy to provide solutions to a unique problem (e.g., poverty in urban cities).

MPA Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in the MPA program will learn to:

Understand the fundamental knowledge, concepts, and principles associated with the discipline and profession of public administration
Develop awareness of the key institutional, political, and cultural factors that shape the field of public administration
Critically assess the range of theoretical perspectives which exist to understand the public and nonprofit management of the world’s problems
Communicate effectively in writing and speech to diverse audiences
Understand how to act ethically and responsibly in the field of public service

MPA Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of the MPA program can:

Lead and manage in the public interest;
Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process;
Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective;
Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.

For More Information

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Required

SOC 2000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Elective Courses: 6 Hours

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar in Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Program Requirements: 36 Hours

REQUIRED SOCIOLOGY COURSES: 9 HOURS

SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3500 - Sociological Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 1: 3 Hours

(Choose 1 course)

SOC 3200 - Exploring Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3510 - Individual and Society Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 2: 6 Hours

(Choose 2 courses)

SOC 3100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3300 - Social Organization Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3320 - Sociology of Work Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3800 - Population and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4300 - International Migration and Integration Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 3: 3 Hours

(Choose 1 course)

SOC 3600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3

Sociology Electives: 15 Hours

III. Related Requirements: 9 Hours

Related Social Science Courses
Three 3000+ level courses in a single social science discipline other than Sociology

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language: Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other. Students taking American Sign Language should be advised that ASL 1010, 1020, 2010, and 2020 meet for (4) rather than (3) credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 15-19 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

Double-Counted Hours: Up to 9 Hours

ABS 7220 - Seminar on Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
ABS 7240 - Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 5710 - Ethnographic Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 5800 - Special Topics in Anthropological Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6030 - Urban Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6100 - Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 6410 - Cartography Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6430 - Geographic Information Science Principles Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6440 - Advanced Geographic Information Applications Credit Hour(s): 4
MPA 6230 - Ethics and Leadership in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 6340 - Fundraising and Grant Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7000 - Foundations and Tools of Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7010 - Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7025 - Administrative Law Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7030 - Organization Theory and Management Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7040 - Managing Human Resources in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7050 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5430 - Civil Liberties II Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5750 - Human Rights in USA Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6050 - Political Polarization in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6230 - American Public Policy Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6340 - Political Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6350 - Seminar - Political Corruption Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6420 - Criminal Justice Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 7982 - Intelligence and Homeland Security Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5720 - Policing in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5730 - Sociology of Courts, Law and Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5740 - Penology and Corrections Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6320 - Neighborhoods and Communities Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6610 - Gender and Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6620 - Elite Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6640 - Gender and Sexuality: Global Issues Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6650 - Global Sexualities & Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6710 - Victimology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6810 - Health of Vulnerable Populations Credit Hour(s): 3
WGS 6800 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 3

Graduate Program Requirements

Required Courses: 21 hours

MPA 7000 - Foundations and Tools of Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7010 - Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7025 - Administrative Law Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7030 - Organization Theory and Management Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7040 - Managing Human Resources in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7050 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7060 - Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
may substitute for a core course.
MPA 7220 - MPA Directed Study Credit Hour(s): 3

Additional Requirements: 3-6 hours

Select from one:

MPA 7070 - MPA Capstone Project Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7080 - MPA Applied Research Project Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7090 - MPA Thesis Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
A minimum 3 hours is required for the thesis option. If 6 hours taken, one elective may be waived. Credits / Units: 3

Internship: 3 hours

The internship may be waived for students working in service or who meet the Prior Learning Assessment requirement. If internship waived, an additional elective is required to meet the 12 hours minimum.

MPA 6950 - MPA Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

Electives: 9-12 hours

Complete a minimum 9 credit hours from selected track. If internship waived, complete an additional 3 credit hours.