Social Science & Policy

Focus Track - Social Science & Policy logo

The MS focus in Social Sciences & Policy stresses the courses STA 521L, 610L, 523L that are critical core/foundations for students to develop skills and experience in the basic statistical methodologies as well as relevant computer programming as they move into such areas. Students on these tracks are advised to consider taking MS electives including STA 522 (Design of Surveys and Causal Studies, linked to areas of survey design and analysis and observational studies), STA 640 (Casual Inference, linked to comparative effectiveness research and program evaluation), and STA 650L (Social Networks, linked to analysis of relational data, particularly in social sciences).

Students may and will typically consider adding at least one, possibly two electives in other programs and departments, in detailed consultation with their MS advisor. There are several relevant graduate courses offered in other programs at Duke, e.g.  SOCIOL 725, 726 (Demographic Methods) in the Department of Sociology.  

Selected Past Employers:
  • US EPA
  • Rand Corporation
  • Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan