M.S. in Rural Sociology

Graduate study in rural sociology is available at the master's level through the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Sociology. The program faculty include rural sociologists from DAERS and sociologists, anthropologists, and others from the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work in the College of Liberal Arts on the AU main campus as well as from the Department of Sociology at Auburn University-Montgomery. There are both thesis and non-thesis options available.

Graduate Information

Admissions

M.S. Ag Econ

M.S. Rural Sociology

PhD in Applied Economics

Graduate Handbook

Faculty

Dr. Conner Bailey was presented the Distinguished Research Award by the Rural Sociology Society at its 2007 Annual Meeting in Santa Clara, California.
Dr. Joseph Molnar is President-elect of the Rural Sociological Society.
Dr. John E. Dunkelberger is Emeritus Professor of Rural Sociology and retains Graduate Faculty Status.
A new faculty member will join the staff in August, 2008.

Student Support

Most of graduate students in rural sociology are appointed as Graduate Research Assistantship that provides a stipend and tuition waiver. Several GRA positions are associated with grants and contracts that provide research training and generally lead to a thesis related to research objective. In recent years, student theses have addressed problems in community development, the adoption and diffusion of technology, organic farming, watershed management, agricultural development, and rural housing.

In addition to specific degree options in rural sociology, graduate student can pursue the Master of Agriculture (MAg) in rural sociology requires no thesis but a minimum of 32 graduate credit hours, 18 in the major, as approved by the major professor and the advisory committee. The advisory committee administers the final oral examination.

Contact:

      Conner Bailey
      Graduate Program Officer
      202 Comer Hall
      Auburn University, AL 36849
      334-844-5632
      Email: bailelc@auburn.edu