Master of Social Science

Mission statement

The Master of Social Science Degree (M.S.Sc.) is an interdisciplinary program for graduate students that offers a wide variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary opportunities for advancing academic or career goals. The M.S.Sc. degree makes the Social Science resources of Troy University available for student centered and highly individualized programs of graduate study. Students are welcome and encouraged to choose classes from around the University that suit their research interests.

The M.S.Sc. degree provides every student with a vibrant and collaborative intellectual community and core-course training in social science theory, analytical abilities, and methodology.

Depending on needs, individualized programs will provide students with skills to:

1. Provide services to a variety of public agencies and institutions.
2. Teach in one or a variety of Social Science subject areas at a college or university level. Eighteen hours taken in a single subject area (as part of the 36 hour master’s degree) will provide qualifications to teach in that subject area.
3. Effectively communicate with individuals and groups from all backgrounds.
4. Develop methodologies and skills to facilitate societal change.
5. Pursue doctoral or professional school degrees.

Objectives

1. To prepare students to fulfill a need for professionals in the area of Social Science by providing educational programs that develop each student’s problem solving skills to address issues that arise in the dynamic and evolving Social Sciences field;
2. To develop each student’s ability to synthesize and apply knowledge of the critical theories and concepts in the field of Social Science in his/her problem solving analysis;
3. To develop each student’s ability to identify and develop alternative solutions to problems that are confronted in the Social Sciences field;
4. To develop each student’s ability to evaluate and appropriately choose solutions to problems confronted in the Social Sciences field;
5. To develop each student’s ability to effectively communicate the results of his/her analysis;
6. To provide an appropriate program of graduate study for students who are interested in research in the field of Social Science and in advanced graduate study.

Prerequisite Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to the Master of Social Sciences is a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four year institution. Students who desire to enter this program but do not have a degree in Social Sciences or a closely related discipline may be required to meet other criteria such as additional coursework regarding undergraduate or professional preparation.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Social Science

To apply for admission to the Master of Social Science program, applicants must submit the following:

1. Completed Application for Admission to the Graduate School;
2. Official transcript(s),
3. A letter of recommendation that addresses the applicant’s potential for success in a Master of Social Science graduate program.

Unconditional Admission

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the terms in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission does not apply to this program.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of four courses (12 semester hours) taken at another regionally accredited institution each with a grade of “B” or better can be applied toward this degree. These courses must be comparable in catalog description to Troy University courses in the Social Science Graduate Program and be approved by the department chair and college dean. No transfer credit will be accepted for the three core courses (SS 6690 , SS 6691 , SS 6698 ).

Degree Requirements

1. Unconditional Admissions
2. Overall 3.0 GPA or better
3. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam
4. Completion of the MS in Social Science. If the student makes a “D” or “F” in a core course, the course must be retaken. If a student makes a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may be retaken or another elective taken in its place. Students must receive a “B” or better in SS 6691 : Survey of Research Methods in Social Science, and SS 6698  Social Theory.

Curriculum

All courses offer three semester hours credit.

*Note: Students must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination.

Degree Plan

Master of Science in Social Science Degree Plan/Progress Record