The Master of Social Science is designed for individuals who desire to take an interdisciplinary approach – drawing on several disciplines – to study a problem or expand their knowledge of social sciences. The degree program is designed to provide the theoretical knowledge, foundational research methods, and to emphasize the critical and analytical thinking skills that graduates need to become informed and socially conscious members of the workforce such as historical consciousness, social science inquiry, diversity, and social values. Given the program’s emphasis on critical and analytical thinking, upon the completion of this program, graduates are well positioned to expand their graduate studies in other areas.

Program Objectives

The purposes and intent of the graduate program in Social Science are careers and human services oriented. As such, the objectives are to:

• Expose the student to a variety of courses in the social sciences to enhance their knowledge in the various themes offered in the tracks
• Use the social scientific approach to study problems and locate possible solutions.
• Challenge students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate concepts and theories in the social sciences
• Familiarize students about quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method approaches.
• Prepare teachers for community colleges or further graduate studies.
• Offer tracks in Historical Perspectives of the Social Sciences, Critical Study of Social Sciences, and Women Studies.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirement for this degree program is the completion of a four-year degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 GPA from an accredited college or university. Applicants are also required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation and a personal statement for consideration.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum is derived primarily from the social science disciplines, such as history, political science, psychology, and sociology, but are integrated with other disciplines including English, fine arts, and communication. Courses from the disciplines of sociology, political science, and history provide students with a graduate-level interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological foundation.

Designated Tracks

Track 1: Historical Perspectives of the Social Sciences 
Track 2: Critical Study of Social Sciences
Track 3: Women Studies