Graduate Programs

The objective of the Master of Social Sciences degree is to offer a program for students interested in course work in the social sciences rather than in research. The thesis is not required. The student's advisor will be the head of the department of the major or otherwise assigned. Depending upon options selected, the Master of Social Sciences degree program requires thirty or thirty-six graduate hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Unless otherwise specified all three-semester-hour courses have lecture 3 hours per week. The student is reminded that one-half course work to be applied toward a Master's degree must be on 6000-level. A 400-level course taken for undergraduate credit cannot subsequently be changed to graduate credit nor repeated for graduate credit on the 5000-level.

In addition to the comprehensive oral examination required of all Master's Degree candidates in History, candidates for the Master of Social Science must pass a comprehensive written examination during the last semester of their enrollment.

Admission to the Program

1. All general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Mississippi College must be met.
2. Must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
3. Must have a minimum of 30 semester hours of undergraduate work in the social sciences (economics, history, administration of justice, political science, and sociology), of which 15 hours are in one field.
4. Must have undergraduate credit for: History 101-102 or 211-212, Economics, and Sociology.
5. A verbal score beginning in the range of 146-150 (equivalent to 400-450) and a quantitative score beginning in the range of 140-141 (equivalent to 400-450), or a score within these ranges on either section and a score of 2.5 on the writing assessment of the GRE, General Record Examination, is required. The verbal and quantitative scores will not be combined. Departments may exercise discretion for students who score below this range.

Plan A (30 Hours)

1. Eighteen semester hours in one of four major areas; either history, political science, or administration of justice.
2. Six semester hours in each of two others as minors. (Economics may be used as a minor)
3. In their last semester of enrollment, candidates for the MSS must take written and oral comprehensive examinations based upon course work used to satisfy degree requirements. If applicable, the oral exam will also include a defense of the thesis. If judged unsatisfactory, all or part of the written and/or oral examination may be retaken once in the following semester or summer term.

Plan B (36 hours)

1. Eighteen hours in two fields; either history, political science, or administration of justice.
2. In their last semester of enrollment, candidates for the MSS must take written and oral comprehensive examinations based upon course work used to satisfy degree requirements. If applicable, the oral exam will also include a defense of the thesis. If judged unsatisfactory, all or part of the written and/or oral examination may be retaken once in the following semester or summer term.