Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Social Science, M.A.

Location(s): Statesboro, Fully Online


The Master of Arts in Social Science is an interdisciplinary program which includes Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology.  The program is designed to offer flexibility to students who want to study social issues and problems across different disciplines or to focus on developing expertise in a single discipline.  Graduates are prepared to continue their educations into doctoral or professional programs or for position in the private or non-profit sectors. 

Degree Requirements: 30 Credit Hours


Admission Requirements

Regular Admission
  1. An undergraduate degree from an accredited, four-year institution (or a course of study that is the equivalent of such a degree).
  2. A statement of purpose expressing student’s aspirations.
  3. A favorable review by the Social Science Graduate Admissions Committee. 
Provisional Admission

Non-traditional students and applicants not meeting the above requirements may be considered for Provisional (Probationary) admission as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Program of Study


Anthropology Concentration (Face-to-face) Required Core Courses (12 credit hours):


Political Science Concentration (Fully online) Required Core Courses (12 credit hours):


Sociology Concentration (Fully Online) Required Courses (12 credit hours):


Elective Courses (12 credit hours):


A student will develop a program of study in conjunction with their advisor and approved by the graduate Director.

Terminal Project (6 credit hours):


Select one of the following tracks: 

Applied/Public Service Track (Non-Thesis)

The applied/public service track is for students who plan to enter applied or public service venues. Students may choose among three terminal projects.

Option 1:

Students complete six credit hours of course work that has an applied emphasis (e.g. additional classes in methods, statistics, grant writing, program evaluation, public policy, or field research). Specific courses must be approved by the advisor and graduate director.

Option 2:

Students complete an internship approved by the advisor and director.

Option 3:

Students take courses to prepare them for a career in teaching at the community college level.

Thesis Track

The research thesis track is strongly recommended for students who plan to continue in graduate or professional education. The thesis may be theoretical or empirical and should represent the student’s knowledge of social science theory, methodology and a substantive area as well as the ability to conduct research. Data for empirical research projects may be qualitative and/or quantitative and primary and/or secondary in nature.

Total Credit Hours: 30


General Program Requirements

Students can earn up to fifteen (15) credits from courses at the 5000G level.  An area of concentration requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework from within a field of study. With the exception of the Proseminar course (ANTH 6638 /POLS 6638 /SOCI 6638 ), core courses can be used to fulfill the area of emphasis requirements. Enrollment in courses outside anthropology, political science, and sociology is limited to a maximum of twelve (12) credits. Courses that are taken to fulfill a prerequisite for admission may not be used to satisfy course credit hour requirements. All students must complete a portfolio to demonstrate the completion of program objectives.

Advisement

Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit Graduate Academic Advisement.

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College ofGraduate Studies for more information about their program director.

Phone: 912-478-COGS (2647)

Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu