Undergraduate

Survey Research

Develop expertise in survey methods that will make you both a skilled researcher and informed consumer of survey data in your professional field through a rigorous study of theoretical framework and practical application.

2026

Degree

Minor

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

20 hrs.

Full-time

- -

Part-time

- -

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Political Science & international Affaris

The Survey Research minor at UNH offers comprehensive training in the design, implementation and analysis of public opinion surveys. Here you'll be able to gain hands-on experience at the nationally-recognized UNH Survey Center while learning from faculty with extensive expertise in survey methodology.

Whether you're majoring in political science, psychology, business or engineering, this minor provides valuable skills in data collection and analysis that enhance any career path. Through a combination of theoretical foundation and practical application, you'll develop expertise in survey methods that will make you both a skilled researcher and informed consumer of survey data in your professional field.

Department of Political Science & International Affairs

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Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Andrew Smith

Andrew.Smith@unh.edu

Huddleston Hall, Room 101, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-2226

What is survey research?

In the survey research minor, you will learn how to design, conduct and analyze public opinion surveys. With a strong grounding in theory and practice, you will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of survey data, making you a better consumer of survey research in your career. The survey research minor is a natural complement to majors in political science, international affairs, justice studies, psychology, sociology and anthropology, but survey research is used in almost all fields, including business, agriculture, health and human services, and engineering.

Why study survey research at UNH?

UNH is home to the UNH Survey Center, a full-scale, non-partisan academic survey research center nationally known for its public opinion and political polling. You will apply the skills you learn in the survey research minor to real survey research projects in the Center. You’ll study under faculty who have decades of experience conducting and analyzing survey research. The skills and experiences you’ll accrue will provide a strong foundation for advanced study in survey methods and make you more competitive in the job market.

Potential careers

Advertising and promotion specialist
Market research analyst
Nonprofit director
Political strategist
Public policy analyst or manager
Public relations specialist
Survey researcher
Urban or regional planner

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Survey Research minor will provide students with the skills necessary to design, conduct, analyze and present survey research in a variety of professional settings. This minor will enable students to gain a strong grounding in the theory and practice of survey research, and learn how public opinion forms and changes over time. Students will apply what they have learned at the UNH Survey Center, nationally recognized for its public opinion and political polling. Students who complete this minor will be poised to pursue an advanced degree in this subject and, ultimately, a career in the field.

Requirements for the Program

The Survey Research minor requires five courses (20 credits).
Academic policies related to minors.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Course
POLT 512	Public Opinion in American Politics	4
Introduction to Research Methods Course
Select one course from the following:		4
POLT 595	Smart Politics
SOC 601	Methods of Social Research
JUST 501	Research Methods
Statistics Course
Select one course from the following:		4
SOC 402	Statistics
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology
Advanced Research Course Elective
Select one course from the following:		4
HMP 711	Introduction to Healthcare Operations Analytics
HMP 712	Healthcare Operations Management
MKTG 752	Marketing Research
PSYC 531	Psychobiology
PSYC 552	Social Psychology
SOC 620	Drugs and Society
SOC 625	Mental Health and Society
SOC 725	Social Demography
OR other elective based on student's field of interest and approved by the coordinator
Capstone Practicum
To be chosen in consultation with the coordinator		4
Total Credits		20

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