Dual-title degrees are available in Rural Sociology and four options: Demography, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment, International Agriculture and Development, or Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Rural Sociology and Demography
The Rural Sociology graduate program participates in the multidisciplinary dual-title graduate programs in demography. Interested students are able to earn a dual-title master's and/or doctoral degree in Rural Sociology and Demography.
Dual-title students take additional required courses in demographic theory and methods that fall into four categories:
- Disciplinary survey courses
- Demographic methods
- Seminars in demographic processes
- Elective courses in population studies
The full description of the dual-title program, including all course offerings in the seven affiliated departments is available on-line.
Faculty in Rural Sociology offer demography courses intended to provide students with an understanding of theories and substantive demographic issues in the following areas:
- Health and mortality
- Poverty and inequality
- Population and development
These courses are appropriate for all rural sociology students with substantive interest in these areas, not just dual-title demography students. These courses are also intended to prepare students for comprehensive exams in the demography concentration area.
Rural Sociology and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment (HDNRE)
The Rural Sociology graduate program participates in the transdisciplinary intercollege dual-title graduate programs in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment (HDNRE). Interested students are able to earn a dual-title master's and/or doctoral degree in Rural Sociology and HDNRE.
Dual-title students take additional required courses including:
- Integrated Perspectives in HDNRE
- Ethical Issues in HDNRE
- HDNRE Colloquium
and select among other required courses which provide a foundation for engaging in HDNRE-related applied and basic research, teaching, and outreach.
The full description of the HDNRE program is available online.
Rural Sociology and International Agriculture and Development (INTAD)
The dual-title M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs allow students to earn a degree in both International Agriculture and Development and their primary program. The dual-degree can increase students' career opportunities by appealing to a wider range of prospective employers. INTAD enables students to develop expertise and skills, as well as acquire practical experience in international agriculture and development, all while maintaining professional identification with their primary discipline.
At the core of the program is the course INTAD 820: International Agricultural Development Seminar. Each seminar session is led by professors from different departments with multiple international experiences and expertise in subject matter and process skills. The focus of this course will change annually to reflect issues in the global arena and faculty interests and expertise. In particular, this course will emphasize analytical thinking and application of knowledge. Students will be challenged to integrate knowledge gained in other classes and to develop an ability to translate and transfer this information into an international context.
Rural Sociology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)
The dual-title degrees grounded both in Rural Sociology and WGSS fosters scholarly work across disciplines and increase the intellectual rigor and breadth of graduate work through immersion of candidates in WGSS and Rural Sociology. The dual-title degree will also provide a context in which students can learn to synthesize knowledge within and across disciplinary boundaries. In addition, a dual-title degree program provides students with an opportunity for increased work within a pedagogical framework that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to teaching.
The Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has more information on the dual-title degree.
Prospective students seeking admission to the dual-title degree program should apply directly to Rural Sociology. Each applicant should state that she/he wishes to apply to the dual-title degree in WGSS, and should include in the application a statement of purpose that addresses the ways in which her/his research and professional goals reflect an interest in interdisciplinary and feminist research. Both the WGSS program and the cooperating department will evaluate applications and decide on admission.
