The MA program in Social Technologies is for those interested in the ways new kinds of social data introduce challenges and opportunities to society.

The program combines a thorough grounding in digital social science with the skills needed for engaging in the analysis of social data. This unique combination provides graduates with the ability to understand and contribute to creating ethical social platforms. They are also well positioned to advise institutions, businesses and government agencies on appropriate policies, and to draw on large-scale trace data to help address significant social issues.

The rapid shift toward algorithmic structures of social interaction represents one of the most significant challenges to society, and questions of equity, privacy and autonomy have become a recurring theme running through many modern social problems. These technologies also may provide the keys for addressing substantial social issues. To critically analyze these socio-technical systems requires both technical abilities and an understanding of social theory.

ASU offers an Master of Arts in social technologies for those interested in engaging research at the intersection of data and society. It prepares graduates to be leaders in social data science, working with organizations to help them make ethical and effective use of social data, consulting on broader issues of social change and networked technologies, or continuing on to doctoral work in cognate fields.

Students in the program work through a series of courses that provide a grounding in social theory and digital research methods as well as opportunities to apply that knowledge to social issues.