Master of Social Sciences

Advisors

Dr. Omar Swartz, Program Director
Dr. Lorna Hutchison, Assistant Director
Dr. Margaret Woodhull, Assistant Professor

Individualized Program with a Thesis or Project Option

If a student prefers flexibility in constructing an individualized course of study in the social sciences, the Master of Social Science emphasizes integration of knowledge across and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Courses derive primarily from the social science disciplines, like anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology, but may be integrated with other disciplines and programs including English, philosophy, education, health sciences, public affairs, fine arts, and architecture.

Students who elect the Master of Social Science program often develop interdisciplinary perspectives in areas like public policy, gender and identity studies, educational reform, cross-cultural studies, or politics.

Requirements:

36 credit hours of study:

  • Three core seminars (9 credits total, 3 each):

  1. Foundations and Theories in Interdisciplinary Social Science
  2. Methods and Practices in Interdisciplinary Social Science
  3. Research Perspectives in the Social Sciences

  • 21-24 credit hours of elective coursework, selected in conjunction with student's advisor

  • Project (3 credits) OR Thesis (6 credits)

Optional Tracks:

Students may also focus in one of several areas of concentration or formal tracks.  By focusing one's studies in a track, the student is able to develop a concentrated and interdisciplinary master level expertise in a given area of interest:

The Social Science program provides background for advancement in business, education, social service, and government, or a basis for further graduate or professional study. MSS students often tailor their degree program for specific career and personal needs, seeking intellectual enrichment.