特洛伊大學(xué)

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. After completing three core courses, students may choose additional courses from a variety of graduate offerings. Classes may be selected from any combination of the following subject areas; Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, History, Geography, Social Science, and International Relations.

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

• Provide services to a variety of public agencies and institutions.
• 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.
• Effectively communicate with individuals and groups from all backgrounds.
• Develop methodologies and skills to facilitate societal change.
• Pursue doctoral or professional school degrees.

Objectives

• 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;
• 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;
• To develop each student’s ability to identify and develop alternative solutions to problems that are confronted in the Social Sciences field;
• 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;
• 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.

Degree Options

There are two degree options: thesis and non-thesis. In the thesis option, the student must successfully complete and defend a thesis as well as complete other requirements stated below. See Thesis Guidelines for additional information. In the non-thesis option, the student must pass a written comprehensive exam.

Degree Requirements

Any student completing the coursework with a 3.0 GPA or better, fulfilling candidacy requirements, successfully completing either the Thesis or Comprehensive Exam will be awarded the master’s degree. 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.