Academic Programs

• Length of program: Engage in a one-year program or include an optional co-op and earn your degree in 16 months.
• Flexible: Choose one of five concentrations to gain an in-depth knowledge of a specialized methodological and analytical technique for social analysis.
• Co-op: Gain professional experience and an integrated experiential learning opportunity through Northeastern’s top-ranked co-op program.

The program educates social scientists and analysts in the use of computational tools to address questions of equity, hierarchy, social organization, and social systems in the field of social science. The 21st century economy will increasingly demand a workforce capable of collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting large-scale data on human attributes, personal preferences, social attributes, and political behavior. In response, this program provides students with rigorous training in quantitative research and social science methods to address important questions of social inquiry. Emphasizing public dissemination of findings, the program prepares students to inform decision-makers in the private and public sectors, and the broader community. These skills prepare graduates to pursue analytical or research careers in corporations, nonprofits, and public services, or to continue their education.

Students will be able to:

• Define social problems and operationalize measures and research design.
• Articulate the concepts and theories of quantitative analysis for social inquiry.
• Utilize a variety of data to analyze the causes and consequences of social problems.
• Apply quantitative techniques in the social sciences to contemporary social, economic, political, cultural, and ethical problems in society.
• Communicate the results of research to broader audiences, including the scientific community and the public.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Methods and Social Analysis will be qualified to pursue a wide range of analytical, social science, and academic careers. With projected growth over the next decade, graduates will be well-positioned to pursue careers as statisticians, data scientists, social scientists, survey researchers, and other mathematical science occupations.

Northeastern aligns education and research with global and regional needs. In Arlington—a hub of technical innovation, security, defense, and policy—we partner with government, industry, and nonprofits to prepare learners for leadership in jobs of the future.

We’re centrally located in the heart of the National Capital Region in Rosslyn, one of Arlington County’s most vibrant neighborhoods at 17th Street North in the Arlington Tower. Our campus features state-of-the-art flexible learning spaces and areas to collaborate, study, network with peers or employers, and host or attend community events. Additionally, the building also includes a rooftop gathering space with stunning views of Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC. The campus is also home to the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security.

• More than 9,000 Northeastern alumni and family live and work in the National Capital Region.
• Students benefit from the small-campus setting: smaller class sizes, direct access to professors, and strong connections with their cohort.
• Programs are structured to build internship placements (co-ops) into your course of study, along with other integrated industry-focused coursework to build a strong professional portfolio.
• Located in the Arlington Tower, our brand-new facility has a modern and open design with ample student space for classes, socializing, and studying.