Master of Arts in Sociology (STEM)

at University of New Hampshire - Durham Campus USA

Social work is about helping individuals, families and community members with problems in their daily lives and advocating for those who need a voice. Social work promotes social, economic and environmental justice to enhance quality of life for all and improve human and community well-being. As a student in this program, you’ll learn about the history, values and ethics of the social work profession and social welfare policy. You’ll gain a solid foundation in the liberal arts while also studying human behavior and social work practices. As a graduate of the program, you’ll be prepared for generalist social work practice or continued education in social work or a related field.

The graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students for professional practice with individuals who face communication challenges across the life span in any practice setting. Students complete a combination of required and elective courses and clinical practicum to apply theory to practice. Students complete a variety of practicum experiences in the university clinic as well as educational, rehabilitative, and private practice settings to enhance applied learning.  The Graduate Program of Study includes two full years of study, including two summers and J-term. 

The B.A. in Computer Science will allow students to combine the study of computer science with the study of another field. Given the emergence of computational approaches to virtually all areas of scholarship and creative expression, it is important to offer this flexibility. The three tracks in the B.A. program contain the same computer science core as the B.S. program, but give more control to the student to choose the complementary and advanced courses. 

The Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology (BMCB) major provides you with conceptual competence, analytical skills, and laboratory experiences to understand life at the molecular and cellular level. Your BMCB degree will prepare you for immediate employment as a research associate or for entry into graduate or professional programs in medicine, dentistry or other allied health professions, as well as other career tracks.

The BMCB program offers advanced coursework and laboratories in diverse research areas of modern biology

• Cancer biology
• Cell biology
• Cell culture & tissue engineering
• Endocrinology
• Molecular biology techniques
• Pharmacology
• Physical biochemistry
• Protein structure, function & proteomics

The M.A. program in sociology will provide foundational training in critical thinking and research and a deeper understanding of the social causes and consequences of human behavior. You’ll build skills in data analysis, research design and sociological theory, and engage in research on topics such as environment and social change, gender, race and inequality, family, social demography, and stress and mental health. Our master’s program culminates in an original research thesis project, and these analytical and research skills will prepare you for a wide range of careers in research, education, health and human services, law, business, public policy and government.

The major in neuroscience and behavior (NSB) offers an interdisciplinary approach to human and non-human behavior, focusing on the evolution and adaptiveness of certain behaviors, as well as their underlying neural mechanisms. Students who have always been fascinated by how the brain functions will be well served by this major, as will those who love wild animals and wish to better understand their behavior. The B.S. in neuroscience and behavior is based on a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and genetics (foundation courses). These are followed by a two-semester course sequence that covers the fundamentals of neuroscience and behavior. Students can then pick five or more electives focusing on areas of interest.

NSB students are encouraged to take advantage of research experiences in the laboratories of the psychology and biology faculty in the program. This provides valuable experience with cutting-edge equipment and techniques. Some students may share aspects of a larger project, whereas others may be relatively independent and design their own project under supervision. In either case, important skills are gained by the discipline of gathering data, analyzing and interpreting it, and presenting it to a broader audience.

The curriculum provides most of the requirements and recommended courses for students seeking admission to graduate school and to professional schools in medicine and veterinary medicine. Students who might choose not to go on to advanced degrees are well-prepared for employment as skilled technicians in research laboratories or, if their interests are in animal behavior, as field research assistants or animal trainers. With additional courses in education, the B.S. in NSB also qualifies graduates to teach at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels.

Faculty participating in the NSB major combine a love of teaching and student mentoring with a passion for research, and encourage student participation. Research facilities that students can use include the Integrative Animal Behavior and Ecoacoustics laboratory, the confocal imaging center, the Hubbard Center for Genomic Studies, and the many marine, freshwater, and estuarine laboratories associated with UNH programs. Students can also take summer courses at the Shoals Marine Laboratory.

For students aspiring to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, our master’s degree with dietetic internship (MSDI) will prepare you for work in areas such as clinical nutrition, food service management and community nutrition services. You’ll learn how to evaluate the nutritional status of patients, develop nutrition care plans, assess the impact of nutrition intervention on patient health, and provide nutrition education to individuals and groups. You’ll also learn about the management of food production and delivery systems, as well as the broad food system environments in which dietitians work.Upon completion of this 21-month program, you’ll be eligible to take the dietetic registration examination to practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

The Option in Finance provides students with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to make informed financial decisions for themselves and their organizations. Business students interested in numbers, quantitative analysis, problem solving, utilizing creativity, and practical applications will appreciate this option. Opportunities exist in a variety of fields, including commercial and investment banking, insurance, corporate finance, money management, venture capital, risk management, and real estate.

The job outlook for finance students is strong, and starting and mid-career salaries are typically among the highest of all majors at a university. Many premier jobs in business, such as hedge fund manager, investment banker, and CFO, are in finance.

The goal of the finance option is to provide students with general exposure to the field while allowing them to specialize in one of three tracks: analytics and quantitative finance, financial analyst, and real estate. Tracks are not required; please inquire with the finance option coordinator for details.

The geography major provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in geography by uniting social and biophysical sciences, humanities and technology to examine the factors that make a place or environment unique. Connecting academic inquiry to real-world problem solving, you will develop critical thinking skills and be prepared to transfer classroom and field experience into a wide range of careers. 

With interests ranging from globalization to climate change and sustainability, urbanization to community development at home and abroad, UNH geography graduates have gone on to careers in urban, regional and transportation planning, community development, environmental conservation and natural resources management, sustainability science, geographic information science, market research, locational analysis, population studies, foreign aid, international diplomacy and education. 

Students choosing the Cinema & Media Arts Option study the creative media industries with a focus on developing professional skills and knowledge relating to careers in film, television and radio. Courses cover topics such as narrative, screenwriting, audio and video production, film history and criticism, documentary, and audience research methods. Students may elect to take an internship in the area of cinema and media arts to help fulfill requirements for the Option.