The Graduate Specialization in Animal Studies: Social Science and Humanities Perspective, which is administered by the Department of Sociology, provides graduate students with basic knowledge in relationships between humans and animals and how they are linked together in a fragile biosphere.
The graduate specialization is available as an elective for students who are enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the master’s or doctoral degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the graduate specialization should consult the graduate advisor for the specialization in the Department of Sociology.
Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Animal Studies: Social Science and Humanities Perspective
Complete a total of 12 credits from the following:
- Both of the following courses (6 credits):
SOC 989 Topics in Sociological Methodology (3)
SOC 840 Animals and Social Transformations (3)
- One of the following courses (3 credits):
ACR 823 Contemporary Issues in Animal-Human Relationships (3)
ANS 805 Animal Welfare Assessment (3)
LAW 565A Animal Law (3)
- Complete 3 credits of additional course work that focuses on any aspect of the human-animal relationship that meets the interests of the student. A list of available courses can be found on the specialization Web site. The course must be approved by the student's academic advisor for the specialization.