Master of Arts in Social Science

Concentration in Anthropology

Format: Online and in person on the Statesboro Campus (Hybrid)
Credit Hours: 30
Entry Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

MASS candidates will complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework; these include 12 hours of required classes, 12 hours of electives, and six hours of either a research thesis or applied/public service courses. Enrollment in Anthropology, especially Archeology, will require a HYBRID format to complete labs and/or field school.

Concentration in Political Science

Format: Online
Credit Hours: 30
Entry Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

MASS candidates will complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework; these include 12 hours of required classes, 12 hours of electives, and six hours of either a research thesis or applied/public service courses.

Concentration in Sociology

Format: Online
Credit Hours: 30
Entry Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

MASS candidates will complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework; these include 12 hours of required classes, 12 hours of electives, and six hours of either a research thesis or applied/public service courses.

What Can You Do with a M.A. in Social Science

When you pursue the Master of Arts in Social Science at Georgia Southern University, not only will you be a part of the only program of its kind in Georgia, but you will have a variety options as you consider potential careers. Below is a list of just some of the types of jobs that you might consider pursuing upon completion of your graduate degree.

Cultural Heritage and Resource Management

• GIS Specialist
• Compliance / Historical Archeology
• Historic Preservation
• Museum Curator
• Heritage Tourism
• Cultural Resource Management
• Multi-cultural Education Specialist
• Cultural Affairs Director

Political and Global Analysis

• Political Risk Analyst
• Intelligence Agent
• Political Systems Researcher
• Federal, State, and Local Government Positions
• Urban/Regional Planner
• Foreign Services Officer
• Campaign Manager/Consultant
• Survey Researcher
• Pollster
• Director, Political Action Committee
• Peace Corp Officer
• International Trade Specialist
• Lobbyist

Community Action and Evaluation

• Social / Community Services
• Non-profit Managment
• Consumer Advocate
• Fund Raiser/ Development Officer
• Victim Advocacy
• Mediator / Negotiator
• Peace Corp or Vista Worker
• Gerontology
• Youth Programs Coordinator
• Volunteer Services Coordinator
• Crisis Pregnancy Center Coordinator
• Women’s Resource Counselor
• Day Care Provider/Director
• Patients’ Advocate
• Program Evaluator
• Environmental Activist
• Public Policy Advising
• Probation and Parole

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited, four-year institution (or a course of study that is the equivalent of such a degree).
• A statement of purpose expressing student’s aspirations and reasons for choosing the MASS program and Georgia Southern University.
• A favorable review by the MASS Graduate Admissions Committee
• GRE scores are not required; however, if an applicant’s overall undergraduate GPA is less than a 3.0 it could be helpful to submit them.

Required Core Courses (12 Hours)

Required Core Courses (12 Hours)

• ANTH, POLS, or SOCI 6638 – Proseminar in Social Science (3).
• Theory (3) (Can be any ANTH, CRJU, POLS, or SOCI theory course).
• Methods and/or Analysis (6) (Can be any ANTH, CRJU, POLS, or SOCI methods and/or analysis).

Elective Courses (12 Hours)

Elective Courses (12 Hours)

• A student will develop a program of study in conjunction with their advisor and approved by the graduate Director.
• A student will select an area of emphasis– Anthropology, Archeology, Political Science, or Sociology.
• An emphasis requires a minimum of 18 hours of coursework from within anthropology, political science, or sociology (with the exception of ANTH, POLS, or SOCI 6638, core courses can be used to fulfill the area of concentration requirements).

General Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

• Students can earn 15 hours of credit from courses at the 5000G level.
• Enrollment in courses outside anthropology, political science, and sociology is limited to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
• Courses that are taken to fulfill a prerequisite for admission may not be used to satisfy course hour requirements.
• All students must complete an online professional portfolio to demonstrate the completion of program objectives.

Final Project (6 Hours)

Final Project (6 Hours)

Applied/Public Service Track

The applied/public service track is for students who plan to enter applied or public service venues. Students may choose among 3 terminal projects:

1. Complete 6 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); courses must be approved by the advisor and graduate director.
2. Students complete an internship approved by the advisor and director.
3. Students take courses to prepare them for a career in teaching at the community college level (need 18 graduate hours in a specific discipline to teach that discipline in community colleges).

Research Thesis Track

Research 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.
• Data for empirical research projects may be qualitative and/or quantitative and primary and/or secondary in nature.

Scholarships

The Cultural Heritage Graduate Scholarship

The Cultural Heritage Scholarship supports a clearly defined program of graduate study and research on a significant dimension of the cultural heritage of the South, preferably Georgia. The scholarship is for one year; renewable for one additional year, if the recipient is making appropriate progress toward completion of his or her graduate degree in the judgment of the selection committee.

To be considered for the Cultural Heritage Scholarship you must:

• Be accepted into a graduate degree program in anthropology, history, or sociology.
• Demonstrate commitment to a clearly defined program of academic study and research which focuses on a significant dimension of the cultural heritage of the South, preferably Georgia.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (please submit unofficial copies of your undergraduate transcript if you are an entering graduate student or your graduate transcript if you have already completed a semester in the graduate program).
• Be enrolled as a full-time student in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for the period covered by the scholarship.
• Submit a prospectus describing your plan of study and research (limit 4 double-spaced pages). Demonstrate how it focuses (or will focus) on a significant dimension of the cultural heritage of the South, preferably Georgia.

Students must apply for scholarships through the my.georgiasouthern portal. Applications are typically available from late December through February.

Alumni

Stephanie Pedron (2021) is pursuing her Ph.D. in Political Science at The Ohio State University.

Megan Y. Phillips (2020) is pursuing her Ph.D. in Sociology at Mississippi State University.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford (2019) serves as the Assistant Curator of Historical Interpretation and Programs at the Telfair Museums in Savannah, GA.

Rhianna Bennett (2018) is currently employed as a Project Archaeologist with LG2 Environmental Solutions, Inc. In this position, Bennett conducts each stage of archaeological research for Phase I, II, III, and monitoring projects. Bennett also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Georgia Archaeology (SGA).

Eryn Wagnon (2017) is a Personnel and Readiness Program Analyst with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She recently won award for the J1, Manpower and Personnel Directorate Civilian of the Year

Akiv Dawson (2016) earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University and is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia Southern University.

Suzanne Shurling (2016) is the DEI Advocacy and Support Specialist at LDH Corporation in Statesboro and serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Equality.

Cory Lowe (2015) earned his Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of Florida. He is now a Research Scientist & Innovate Team Leader at Loss Prevention Research Council in Gainesville, Florida.

Rachel Jackson (2013) is the Associate Director, Data Research and Analysis at Mount St. Mary’s University.

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Last updated: 3/1/2024