Online Master of Arts in Social Technologies

The master’s degree in social technologies is your ticket to understanding data science and social theory. You'll learn how data-driven approaches affect organizations and society as a whole. This knowledge will guide you as you seek to explain the practical, ethical and social dimensions of the issues of data in society.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 01/08/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 11

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 33

Degree questions, answered.

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A data science degree for user data

In today’s technology-driven world, there’s a demand for people who have a grounding in the theories and practices of social data science. This knowledge can drive the effective and ethical use of data in social and organizational contexts. The master's program in social technologies prepares a new kind of scholar and practitioner. You'll learn how to critically examine the flows of data in society and use data analytics to glean insights, solve problems or influence social processes.

This social data science degree is ideal for those with a social science background and an interest in social technologies. Students with a technological background who want to understand the social dynamics of technologies may also enjoy this program. The online environment enables students to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in data science and social theory.

Combine data science and ethics

 

Our social technologies graduate program combines the study of sociology with data science. You’ll gain insight into the effective use of data and technology to better understand society and the ethics of using data. You’ll be prepared to connect data science with organizational needs, such as specifying the ways in which data can help solve problems and anticipating how it may cause new problems. Corporate giants collect a massive amount of data on individuals. You’ll learn how to hold these corporate giants accountable with the ethical use of such data.

The curriculum for the master’s degree in social technology examines theory, research and application of social data science. In theory courses, you’ll examine the nature of social data. The research courses train you to engage in computational social science, using big data to understand social issues. In application-oriented courses, you’ll have the opportunity to apply these skills to model and real-world problems. This includes working as a team with an external organization during the capstone project.

Transferable social data science skills taught in the program

  • Community organization.
  • Computer programming.
  • Data scraping, cleaning and analysis.
  • Database creation and maintenance.
  • Program analysis and assessment.
  • Social media analytics.
  • Visualization of data.

What are social technologies?

 

Social technology is an interdisciplinary area of study encompassing data science and sociology. The field covers the ways in which data-driven approaches affect organizations and society as a whole. Students gain an understanding of data science and social theory to help explain the practical, ethical and social dimensions of the issues of data in society.

Does my social technologies degree say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Social technology and data science courses

As a social technologies graduate student, you’ll take courses on the theory, research and application of social data science. You’ll learn how data is used and misused by organizations and the history of digital society. Your research courses will give you the opportunity to engage in mixed methods and present social science research to the broader scientific community. You’ll also take application-oriented courses to gain hands-on experience with both model and real-world issues of data in society.


Required

Theories of Data and Society


Required

Data Wrangling


Required

Data, Places, People and Things


Required

Ethics and Policies of Social Data


Required

Communicating Data Science


Required

Networked Publics


Required

Technologies of Community


Required

Social Search and Filtering


What can I do with a social technologies degree?

Graduates of the program should be well-positioned to engage in research roles in businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. They may also move on to doctoral study. We deliberately seek to make the field more reflective of the diversity of those who are affected by datafication and actively promote the careers of professionals who are underrepresented in data-related fields.

Chief information officer

Communications director

Community manager

Data journalist

Director of data analytics

Director of social analytics

Intelligence analyst

Policy analyst

Program or project manager

Learn data science from sociologists and analysts

As an ASU Online student, you’ll get the New College experience from the same faculty who teach our courses on campus from anywhere in the world. Our faculty members are some of the brightest, most innovative academic minds in the world. Our areas of expertise include psychology, anthropology, geography, political science, cybersecurity, forensic science and more. Our mission is to create an environment that prepares students to take their place in the world using the skills they have learned to pursue careers that benefit their community.

Learn data science from sociologists and analysts

As an ASU Online student, you’ll get the New College experience from the same faculty who teach our courses on campus from anywhere in the world. Our faculty members are some of the brightest, most innovative academic minds in the world. Our areas of expertise include psychology, anthropology, geography, political science, cybersecurity, forensic science and more. Our mission is to create an environment that prepares students to take their place in the world using the skills they have learned to pursue careers that benefit their community.

Requirements for Master of Arts in social technologies degree

Applicants to the Master of Arts in social technologies program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Application requirements

Statement of purpose

Additional admission information

Join one of ASU’s interdisciplinary colleges

ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.

#1


in innovation for 9 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.

4


New College graduate programs offered completely online.

Top 10


best online bachelor’s programs.

Top 10%


best global universities.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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