Social Science - MSS

Master of Social Science

Social Science – MS2202

History Department
Bentley Annex 452
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
History.Department@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Master of Social Science (M.S.S.) is ideal for teachers who want to study content in the social sciences and is beneficial for public administrators and other professionals, too. While many master’s degree programs in social sciences include study of teaching methods, Ohio University’s interdisciplinary program focuses on social science content across multiple fields of study. These include, but are not limited to: history, geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, and women’s, gender & sexuality studies. Our program’s online format allows for optimal accessibility and flexibility, while bringing together students from diverse backgrounds. Students who take 2, four-hour courses per term can complete the program in 18 months.

Program Learning Outcomes

Updating and expanding knowledge of different social science disciplines.
Ability to analyze primary and secondary sources.
Expand and improve the ability to communicate ideas in written and oral form.
Development of critical and analytical thinking in competency areas in the social science disciplines.
Enhanced understanding of societies (past and present) and of disciplinary approaches to studying them.

Further Information

Link to Program:

https://www.ohio.edu/cas/history/graduate/online-master-social-sciences

Admission Requirements

An applicant for admission to this program must have:

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Prospective students with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0 are encouraged to apply for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students are expected to earn at least a 3.0 GPA during their first semester of the program and maintain it throughout the program.
All non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores for either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic). To be considered official, test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. Minimum TOEFL-iBT 104. IELTS 7.5 minimum across all bands. In addition, the individual section scores on the TOEFL should be at least 26.

International Students

This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 32 credit hours as follows:

Coursework Requirements

Courses are normally 4 hours. Of the eight required graduate-level courses,

Four courses must be from History;
Four courses must be from other social science disciplines (approved courses in Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, and/or Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies); and
One of the History courses must be a colloquium.

Culminating Experience

In their final semester, students must pass an exit exam consisting of questions from one History and one other social science course taken in the program.