Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a rural sociologist typically follow the same educational and career path as other sociologists. The first step is to obtain a sociology degree, which is followed by field experience. Membership in a rural sociological society, as well as reading publications and attending conferences geared toward this field, may be beneficial.
Taking the appropriate courses is usually the first step in becoming a rural sociologist. Basic sociological principles, psychology, and history may be covered in these classes. Understanding the theories behind community development, agriculture, and animal husbandry, as well as other activities closely related to rural communities, is essential for pursuing an advanced degree. A master’s degree in rural sociology or a related field is not required, but it is advantageous if you want to work as a rural sociologist.
For the foundation courses required to pursue a career as a rural sociologist, most two-year and four-year colleges offer undergraduate programs. Academic institutions such as Clemson University, the University of East Anglia, and the Institute of Social Studies at The Hague offer graduate programs in rural sociology in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Rural sociologists frequently conduct research, observing rural populations and, on occasion, conducting social experiments to observe attitudes and behaviors more closely. This necessitates research methodology and statistical analysis training. Writing and publishing papers on rural sociology are frequently required for a rural sociology degree.
As a rural sociologist, you will most likely study the behavior of people who live in rural areas. Farms, villages, and towns are examples of these. Individuals and families living outside of metropolitan areas can be studied to gain insight into the development of larger cities as well as how loosely knit populations behave. A general goal of the rural sociologist is to investigate how people relate to the land, as well as the health concerns of rural communities.
Even after completing formal training to become a rural sociologist, the majority of those who work in this field continue to learn more about the subject. Taking refresher courses, reading scholarly journals, and attending rural sociology conferences are common examples. Many rural sociologists join rural sociology-specific professional societies and associations.
Early in the history of sociology, rural sociology became a significant part of the discipline. In 1936, the Rural Sociological Society was founded in Washington, D.C., and in 1957, the European Society for Rural Sociology was founded. Other societies, such as the Australia and Oceanic Network and the Latin American Rural Sociology Association, sprang up all over the world. The International Rural Sociology Association was founded in 1976.
Journals publish scholarly articles on the study of rural communities by rural sociologists. The journals “Rural Sociology,” “Journal of Rural Health,” and “Journal of Rural Social Science” are among them. To stay current with current findings and theories, a rural sociologist usually subscribes to one or more of these publications.