Academic Programs Catalog

Most students in the College of Social Science pursue the Master of Arts degree, although several other master's degree programs are available through the College.

Requirements for the Degree

A maximum of 8 credits is allowed for thesis research.

Academic Standards

The accumulation of grades below 3.0 (including N grades in the P–N grading system) in more than two courses of three or more credits each removes the student from the degree program; this policy does not apply to courses below the 400 level unless the courses are required for the student's program.

Time Limit

The time limit for completion of the master's degree is six years from the beginning of the first semester in which credit was earned toward the degree.

Other Master's Degrees 

Other degrees at the master's level offered by the College are listed below. For a description and summary of the requirements for each degree, consult the section of this catalog devoted to the appropriate department or school. The statements on Academic Standards and Time Limit for the Master of Arts degree also apply to all other master's degrees in the College.

The successful completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires scholarly ability of a high order. Ph.D. degree programs, with emphasis on specialization and research, are offered in each of the departments in the College of Social Science.

Academic Standards

A doctoral student may earn grades below 3.0 (including N grades in the P–N grading system) in not more than two of the courses required by the guidance committee.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Chicano/Latino Studies prepares scholars, researchers, and teachers in the social sciences and humanities to develop expertise in the historical and contemporary experiences of Chicanas/os/x and Latinas/os/x in their social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. The program emphasizes global, trans-disciplinary, comparative, and applied approaches to knowledge which enhance collaborative scholarly efforts within the university, peer educational institutions, and the broader community. It addresses Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x experiences in home communities in the United States, and international dimensions and diaspora experiences involving communities in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.   

Admission

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chicano/Latino Studies is based on an evaluation of the student’s academic record. To be considered for admission to the program with regular status, applicants must have a master’s degree in an appropriate field or its equivalent, of at least 30 credits of approved course work beyond the bachelor’s degree. Applicants without a master’s degree or sufficient course work may be admitted provisionally and be required to complete a specified number of collateral courses, not to count toward the degree, before regular admission is granted.

Application forms for graduate school must be completed online for both domestic and international students. The Graduate School website contains all the information necessary to complete the application process. Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. The online application form to the Graduate School.
2. GRE General Test scores no more than five (5) years old, as well as two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, to the Chicano/Latino Studies Graduate Program Director.
3. A statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample to the Chicano/Latino Studies Graduate Program Director. The letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender directly to the Chicano/Latino Studies office.
4. Original transcripts from all colleges or universities attended sent directly from the institution to the Chicano/Latino Studies office.
5. A writing sample of the applicant’s best example of written analytic and interpretative work that validates the applicant’s aptitudes and abilities in research and academic writing, and their preparation for scholarly work.
6.  A statement of purpose of 1000 words or less providing the applicant’s explanation of why s/he wishes to pursue a doctoral degree in Chicano/Latino Studies, outlining an area of interest in Chicano/Latino Studies, and discusses career goals.

Guidance Committee

The graduate director will guide students in the selection of courses for the first year. By the end of the second semester of the first year, students should choose their major professor and their guidance committee. The committee shall consist of at least four members, at least two in Chicano/Latino Studies and up to two in related fields.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chicano/Latino Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies exposes students to methodologies specific to Chicano/Latino Studies, and to debates in the field that reflect larger transformations in United States culture and society. Students interested in research related to Chicanas/o/x and Latinas/o/x in the United States will find this certificate program of interest.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies, students must:

1. Have a bachelor’s degree.
2. Be currently enrolled in a Michigan State University graduate degree program other than the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Chicano/Latino Studies.
3. Have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.
4. Obtain approval from the student's primary major advisor and the Chicano/Latino Studies Graduate Program Director by submitting a short application form.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Social System Modeling is designed for students who desire to understand a variety of modeling techniques used to address environmental problems that span human and natural systems. The certificate program exposes students to a range of state-of-the-art techniques including agent-based modeling, systems dynamics modeling, multilevel modeling, and structural equation modeling.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Social System Modeling

The interdepartmental dual major in environmental science and policy is administered by the College of Social Science.  The dual major is available only to those students who are enrolled in a Ph.D. degree program that involves environmental science and policy and who have a graduate major at Michigan State University.  The student does not have the option of completing a dual major in environmental science and policy alone.

The educational objectives of the interdepartmental program are to (1) develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills across natural and social science disciplines related to the environment and to enable collaboration with researchers and practitioners from other disciplines towards addressing environmental challenges; (2) gain knowledge of and experience with science based environmental policies, including how scientific knowledge can contribute to practical policies and how interdisciplinary collaboration can improve the effectiveness of policies; and (3) gain practical experience in communicating scientific research to multiple audiences, including scientific communities and the general public.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

In order to enroll in the dual major in environmental science and policy a student must also have been admitted to a major at Michigan State University.

The Environmental Science and Policy Program (ESPP) Graduate Program Council, composed of members of the faculty from participating departments will review applications for admission and recommend acceptance of applicants for admission.

In special cases an applicant who has deficiencies in background courses may be admitted to the dual major on a provisional basis.

Guidance Committee

The program shall be planned in accordance with the statement on Dual Major Doctoral Degrees in the Graduate Education section of this catalog. At least one member of the student’s doctoral dissertation committee shall be an environmental science and policy affiliated faculty member.

Students in the dual major in environmental science and policy are expected to attend a number of community-building activities with other students from different disciplines.

Requirements for the Dual Major in Environmental Science and Policy