Brent Donnellan, DEAN
Our science transforms the human experience. Our faculty and students seek to understand and improve lives at the individual, group, organizational and societal level. In addition to substantive knowledge in their field, students in the College of Social Science acquire the communication and analytical skills needed to excel in complex and changing environments. The College has made a commitment to engaged and experiential learning; every student graduating will have an opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom. The College is open and welcoming. We are a diverse and dynamic intellectual community deriving strength from a plurality of identities and lived experiences. The complexity and scale of societal challenges demands nimble and rigorous solutions that can only emerge through exceptional research, teaching and collaborations. Our faculty are global leaders in top-tier research while advancing engaged learning and societal well-being.The College offers graduate and undergraduate courses and degree programs, as well as undergraduate minors and graduate specializations, through its 12 departments and schools: Department of Anthropology; School of Criminal Justice; Department of Economics; Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Studies; Department of History; Department of Human Development and Family Studies; School of Human Resources and Labor Relations; School of Planning, Design and Construction (Urban and Regional Planning); Department of Political Science; Department of Psychology; School of Social Work; and the Department of Sociology. The College also offers programs through the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science; Chicano/Latino Studies; Environmental Science and Policy Program; the Global Urban Studies Program; and the Center for Gender in Global Context.Affiliated centers and institutes that contribute to the research, outreach, and teaching missions of the College include: the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection; the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations ; the Center for Humane Arts, Letters and Social Sciences Online (MATRIX); Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science Research and Outreach Services; the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research; and the Institute of Public Utilities.The College also offers the Social Science Scholars Program; a rigorous program of study for a close-knit community of undergraduate student scholars, integrating intensive seminars, internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, and mentoring by faculty and alumni. A few Departments in the College - Economics, History, and Political Science - similarly maintain undergraduate scholars programs.
The College of Social Science offers degree programs through its departments and schools and through the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science. A student should carefully study the catalog descriptions of these majors and meet with an academic advisor before choosing one. The three general types of majors in the college are described below.A departmental major consists of at least 30 credits in courses recognized by the department as counting toward the major. Each departmental major is designed to provide concentrated study in a specific field; it will be complemented by courses outside the major to give breadth to a student’s education, including an interdisciplinary minor.A student majoring in one of the schools is introduced to principles and techniques that are basic to the subject area and then learns to apply them in professional programs of study. The minimum number of credits required varies among programs. In each school, the major program consists of courses offered within the school and course work in complementary disciplines.The Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science major, administered by the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science, is organized around three thematic concentrations. Students select one from the following: Community Governance and Advocacy, Health and Society, and Liberal Studies. The History: Social Studies Education major is available for students seeking teacher certification. The Global and International Studies in Social Science major focuses on the study of global systems and processes as they are expressed in local places. Majors in the college lead to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. These degrees are valuable for pursuing a wide variety of careers and serve as the foundation for advanced degrees in professional or graduate school.
The College of Social Science requires each student to complete an interdisciplinary minor. Minors and designated tracks in minors approved to meet this requirement include: African American and African Studies (Social Science track); African Studies; Asian Pacific American Studies (Social Science track); Asian Studies; Chicano/Latino Studies; Cities: Environment, Design and Society; Cognitive Science (Social Science track); Digital Cultural Heritage and History; Environment and Health; Environmental Social Science; Human Behavior and Social Services; International Development; Jewish Studies (Social Science track), Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Law, Justice and Public Policy; Leadership of Organizations; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Sexuality Studies (Social Science track); Migration Studies; Peace and Justice Studies (Social Science track); Race and Ethnicity in the United States; Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective; Social Science Quantitative Data Analytics; Women’s and Gender Studies (Social Science track); and Youth and Society.The college also offers a number of other minors. These include: Anthropology; Defense Studies and Leadership; Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics; Economics; Environmental Social Science; Global Studies in Social Science; History; Human-Environment and Economic Geography; Physical Environment and Climate; Security Management; and Sociology.Students in Social Science may also complete a Minor in Bioethics (see the Lyman Briggs College section of this catalog).
Freshmen at Michigan State University are enrolled in the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative but may declare a major preference for a major in a department or school of the College of Social Science, the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science major, or the Global and International Studies in Social Science major. Students who declare any Social Science major preference will be assigned an academic advisor in this College. Upon reaching 28 credits, sophomores may choose to declare their major in the college.
To ensure an appropriately broad and well-balanced education, all undergraduates enrolled in the College of Social Science must satisfy the following subject matter and credit distribution requirements, in addition to the graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.
The following restrictions pertain to all courses taken in fulfillment of requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in the College of Social Science:
Students at Michigan State University may select programs of study that satisfy the admission requirements of a professional school of their choice, such as law or medicine. Since the admission requirements to professional programs vary among schools, it is not feasible to establish a single program for each profession that satisfies the admission requirements of all professional schools. In the field of law, however, the College of Social Science has suggested programs of study that satisfy the admission requirements of most law schools. It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether a proposed program meets the entrance requirements of the desired professional school.
Prelaw. Prelaw programs in the College of Social Science are available through the Department of Political Science and the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science Program. For additional information refer to those sections and to the university statement on prelaw programs in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.
Premed. Students preparing for medical school may pursue a premed program in combination with the B.S. degree program in several majors in the College, such as Anthropology, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, Sociology or the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science (Health and Society) major. Declared premed students will be advised by a preprofessional advisor in the College of Natural Science as well as by the academic advisor in their Social Science major.
The College of Social Science encourages honors students to develop distinctive undergraduate programs in their chosen fields. In each major a specially designated Honors Advisor, usually a member of the faculty, assists students to plan a rigorous and balanced program tailored to the students’ individual interests and abilities.
Departments and schools of the college offer honors courses and seminars at both introductory and advanced levels. These courses are provided chiefly, but not exclusively, for members of the Honors College. In addition, the college offers independent study and research opportunities for Honors College students whose interests in social, behavioral, and economic science reach beyond the topics covered by college courses.
The student must complete a total of 15 credits including:
Teacher certification can be attained through the Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education, History, or History: Social Studies Education major. Students who elect the History: Social Studies Education major for teacher certification must contact the Department of History office.
The following minors in the College of Social Science also are available for teacher certification: economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. Students who elect one of these minors for teacher certification must contact the department in which the minor is based.
For more information, refer to the statement on the major referenced above and to the statement on TEACHER CERTIFICATION in the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
Units within the College of Social Science offer programs leading to degrees of Master of Arts, Master of International Planning Studies, Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of Science, Master of Social Work, Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and Doctor of Philosophy.
The following dual degree programs are co-sponsored by the College of Social Science and Michigan State University College of Law: Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations and J.D.; Master of Social Work and J.D.; and Master of Urban and Regional Planning and J.D.
For information about the following interdisciplinary specializations, graduate certificates, and degree programs, see the referenced section of this catalog. The College of Social Science is lead sponsor of:
The College of Social Science is a co-sponsor of:
Requirements for the various degrees are summarized below. For complete requirements of any given program or degree, contact the appropriate unit in the college and see the Graduate Education section of this catalog. A student must meet the standards of the university, college, and unit.
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.
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:
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:
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies
Brandy Ellison, Director
Integrative Studies is Michigan State University’s unique approach to liberal general education, offering a core curriculum that complements specialized work by students in their majors. Integrative Studies courses integrate multiple ways of knowing and modes of inquiry and introduce students to important ways of thinking in the three core knowledge areas: the Arts and Humanities, the Biological and Physical Sciences, and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. They assist students early during their study to develop as more critical thinkers. They also encourage appreciation of our humanity and creativity, human cultural diversity, the power of knowledge, and our responsibilities for ourselves and for our world.
Courses in Michigan State University’s Integrative Studies Program are aimed at developing intellectual abilities, including critical thinking and interpretive skills. They help increase knowledge about other times, places, and cultures, key ideas and issues in human experience, and the scientific method and its usefulness in understanding the natural and social worlds. They are expected to enhance appreciation of the role of knowledge, and of values and ethics, in understanding human behavior and solving social problems. Finally, they help students recognize responsibilities and opportunities associated with democratic citizenship and with living in an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world.
The Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Letters has primary responsibility for the Arts and Humanities area of Integrative Studies at Michigan State University.
The Center for Integrative Studies in General Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences has primary responsibility for Integrative Studies courses in the Biological and Physical Sciences at Michigan State University.
The Center for Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences in the College of Social Science has primary responsibility for Integrative Studies courses in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences at Michigan State University.
The College of Social Science explicitly recognizes that many important and rewarding areas for study do not fit neatly within the boundaries of any single social science discipline, but rather overlap two or more such fields. The college also recognizes that many students do not wish to limit their undergraduate major studies to the specialization of a single disciplinary department or professional school. The interdisciplinary studies in social science major provides undergraduates with an interest in public policy, problem solving in society, and community engagement, the core of the mission of the College, a unique opportunity to shape their curriculum to develop interdisciplinary approaches to real world issues at the local, national, and global levels. The educational objectives of the major are to: develop students’ integrated judgment, advanced communication skills, analytical thinking, cultural awareness, and civic engagement; develop students’ understanding of social science approaches to the challenges and issues that face societies across space and time, and develop students’ ability to integrate disciplinary knowledge, skills, and methods to solve complex real world problems.
The college offers an undergraduate major in interdisciplinary studies in social science.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science
The Graduate Specialization in Environmental Policy, which is administered by the College of Social Science, provides students with foundational skills and knowledge in environmental law, economics and policy and an opportunity to gain substantive expertise in the fundamental aspects of environmental policy.
The graduate specialization is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in master’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of department and college that administer 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 must consult the graduate advisor for the specialization in the College of Social Science.
Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Environmental Policy
Complete a total of 9 credits from the following:
The Graduate Specialization in Global Urban Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, offers interdisciplinary doctoral-level study, integrated with programs offered by disciplinary departments and is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University.
The Graduate Specialization in Global Urban Studies addresses political, spatial, cultural, and economic processes and issues in urban areas across the United States and the world, as well as the global processes that impact and unite urban areas. Course work includes foci on urban areas in the United States and abroad; urban areas in comparative context regionally, nationally and internationally; and how the forces of globalization change urban areas.
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 doctoral degree.
Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Global Urban Studies
The Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood is available as an elective for students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs in the departments of Anthropology, Communicative Sciences and Disorders; Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Human Development and Family Studies; Kinesiology; Psychology; and Sociology, in the Educational Specialist degree program in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education; in the Master of Social Work degree programs in the School of Social Work; in the Master of Science in Nursing degree program in the College of Nursing; and in the graduate–professional degree programs in the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The College of Social Science administers the specialization in collaboration with the School of Social Work, the cooperating units, an executive committee, and an advisory committee comprised of faculty members from each participating unit.
The quality of life during the first five years of human development provides the foundation upon which all subsequent development is built. As a result of advances in biomedical technology, social–cultural conditions, and legislation, increasing attention is being directed toward the optimal development of infants and their families.
The specialization is designed to prepare practitioners to meet the challenges of service delivery for very young children and their families and is based on the philosophy that a interdisciplinary educational program is the best educational experience for professionals who will work with infants, very young children, and their families. The specialization is also designed to provide a knowledge base that will facilitate the work of graduates who pursue careers in agencies, institutions, and government organizations that offer services to very young children, as well as those who pursue careers in teaching and research relevant to the needs of infants, very young children, and their families.
The Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood will:
A student who is enrolled in a master’s, educational specialist, doctoral, or graduate–professional degree program in one of the 12 participating academic units and who wishes to complete the requirements for an Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood should send their application to the director of the specialization. Qualified applicants must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Once accepted into the specialization, students must identify a faculty member from their own discipline who is able to oversee their study in infancy and early childhood development, and to chair their guidance committee. Students are encouraged to actively solicit input from at least one faculty member from a discipline other than their home department, who will serve as a representative on the student’s guidance committee.
Students should work closely with their advisors within their academic units to develop meaningful experiences that are directly related to infancy and early childhood development studies. Credits that are used to meet the requirements for the specialization may also be counted toward the requirements for the student’s degree program at the discretion of the academic unit in which the student is enrolled.
Students who are pursuing the Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood are required to attend monthly seminars with members of the specialization faculty, staff, and other students in the program.
Requirements for the Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits for the Graduate Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s guidance committee. The student must:
The Graduate Specialization in International Development is available as an elective for students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University. The College of Social Science administers the specialization. The graduate academic advisor for international development, located in the college, coordinates the specialization on behalf of the Dean.
The Specialization in International Development is designed to:
With the approval of the department or school and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the degree.
Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in International Development
Any course that was used to satisfy the requirements for the undergraduate Specialization in International Development may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the Graduate Specialization in International Development. The student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate student advisor for international development and must meet the requirements specified below:
The student must complete 12 credits as outlined below:
Core Courses:
The Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Cognitive Science are available for students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs in Audiology and Speech Sciences; Computer Science; Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior; Geography; Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages; Neuroscience; Philosophy; Physics and Astronomy; Physiology; Psychiatry; Psychology; Telecommunication; and Zoology. The College of Social Science administers the specialization.
One of the most important remaining mysteries in science is the nature of mind, whether mind be embodied in the neurons of the brain or in the silicon stuff of computer chips in an artificial brain-like system. Cognitive Science explores how biological systems process information to produce thought and adaptive behavior and whether artificial systems can be endowed with the same capabilities. The scientific study of the nature of mind requires a concerted effort by investigators from many different theoretical perspectives, empirical traditions, and academic disciplines. The program will make available to students an interdisciplinary field that encompasses approaches to solving the problems of understanding the mind from a number of sharply different directions. Students will learn about, and engage in, research on these problems under more than one disciplinary umbrella. The specialization is supervised by the Cognitive Science Graduate Affairs Committee.
Students seeking admission to the specialization must contact the Director of the Cognitive Science Program. To be admitted, a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and have been admitted to a master’s or doctoral program in one of the participating departments. Students should submit a cover letter and a personal statement describing their interest in cognitive science and their objectives in seeking admission. Additional documentation may be requested.
Requirements for the Specialization in Cognitive Science
The Specialization in Cognitive Science is offered at both the master’s and the doctoral level. No student may receive certification at both levels. During the first year of the master’s or doctoral program, the student and the major professor select a guidance committee to assist in planning both the student’s degree program and specialization. At least one member of a master’s student’s guidance committee and two members of a doctoral student’s guidance committee shall be members of the Cognitive Science faculty, with one of the latter from a discipline outside the student’s major department.
Credits that are used to meet the requirements of the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the student’s major at the discretion of the department or college. Courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization must be approved by the student’s guidance committee and should demonstrate competence in at least two areas of cognitive science.
Master’s Students must:
Doctoral Students must:
Todd Fenton, Chairperson
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology
The Minor in Anthropology, which is administered by the Department of Anthropology, provides a basic foundation for the breadth of study within the field of anthropology, and a grounding in general anthropological theory. Students obtain knowledge of at least one advanced topic in the field and command of the anthropological literature in at least one geographical area.
This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Anthropology.
Requirements for the Minor in Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Graduate education in Anthropology at MSU is directed toward development of high achievement in scholarship among a new generation of anthropologists, including a commitment to research, public engagement, and the ethical practice of anthropology. The Department of Anthropology at MSU takes pride in the diversity of our own community of scholars, including our graduate students and faculty, and is committed to maintaining and supporting this diversity both in our department and in the profession. The department also emphasizes the importance of collaborative work with the people and communities whom we study, and the need to share our research with a variety of audiences.Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect College of Social Sciences specializations in Environmental Science and Policy; Gender, Justice and Environmental Change; Global Urban Studies, International Development; and other graduate specializations. Dual degree programs are also possible, including special programs for professional doctoral degrees.Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood.
Anthropologists study humans in relation to themselves, their past, their environment, and their biological heritage. As a discipline, Anthropology spans the social and natural sciences and the humanities, and is equipped with various tools and approaches to study human problems. Our knowledge and skills contribute critical perspectives on contemporary transformations within academia and in society at large.Anthropology at MSU provides training in cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology. While a traditional four-field department, the graduate program provides opportunities for students to engage in research across the subdisciplines. The program also has a number of well-regarded subdisciplinary specialties including medical anthropology and forensic anthropology.In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Students applying for admission to the master's program in anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.0 or better in academic studies.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology
The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:
Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Students applying for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior-senior undergraduate grade-point average 3.0 or better in academic studies.Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anthropology
Students must complete the following:
The African, Asian, and Latin American Studies Centers offer unique opportunities for the support of anthropological research. The University Museum, International Studies and Programs, the Center for Advanced Studies in International Development (CASID), the Office of Women in Development (WID), the Agricultural Experiment Station, Urban Affairs Programs, the Hispanic Research Institute, and the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, Incorporated (MUCIA), also support research. A program of study may be developed in cooperation with the College of Human Medicine.
Christopher Melde, Director
Free and democratic society requires a commitment to safety and security as well as to core values of justice, equity, and civil liberty. Indeed, the appropriate balance of security and liberty is an ongoing challenge of free societies. Public and private agencies at various levels provide for security, safety, justice, and freedom through efforts to prevent crime and to appropriately respond to crime when it does occur.
The academic study of criminal justice through the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the School of Criminal Justice is based on the belief that the study of the causes of crime and delinquency must be combined with the study of the institutions and processes involved in the prevention and response to crime and delinquency. Additionally, the systematic study of crime, criminal behavior, and criminal justice and security processes should be informed by multidisciplinary theory and research. The challenges posed by crime and security in contemporary society necessitate well-educated professionals prepared for careers in criminal justice, security, and related areas.
The School of Criminal Justice offers an undergraduate minor in security management, graduate specializations in security management, forensic science, and in judicial administration, and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis, and Judicial Administration; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in criminal justice is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in public and private agencies identified with criminal justice administration. Such agencies apprehend offenders, adjudicate alleged offenses, redirect emergent criminal careers, and promote industrial and commercial security. Such agencies also encourage and emphasize community responsibility for the success of their programs.
The bachelor's program in criminal justice provides a basic orientation to the institutions and processes of criminal justice and offers students wide exposure to all of the major disciplines of the criminal justice system. The program promotes general knowledge through core and social science courses. It provides students with the opportunity to pursue interests in the following areas: juvenile justice, police administration, adult corrections, and security.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice
The complexities of modern society have combined to generate a variety of threats to business organizations, information networks, government installations and operations, and individuals. The Minor in Security Management is designed for students who are interested in private and government security.
The minor, which is administered by the School of Criminal Justice, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University. The minor should be of particular interest to students who are enrolled in certain programs in the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science, and to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science.
The Minor in Security Management is designed to help students to understand:
With the approval of the department or school and college that administer the student's degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree.Requirements for the Minor in Security Management
The student must complete:
The School of Criminal Justice is at the forefront of education in the nature of crime, administration of criminal justice, security management and administration, and the legal system. Throughout the program there is an emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice as well as the interconnection of the activities of the many agencies and professions involved in the systems of justice and private security. Through their research, teaching, and practice, graduates can contribute to the development of improved systems for the prevention and control of crime and delinquency.
The School of Criminal Justice offers a professionally and managerially oriented Master of Science degree program for advanced students, many of whom are criminal justice professionals. The Master of Science degree is offered both on campus and through online delivery. The Master of Science in Forensic Science offers concentrations in forensic anthropology, biology, and chemistry and is only offered on-campus. The School also offers Master of Science degrees in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis and Judicial Administration, which are available only online. A Graduate Certificate in Cyber Criminology and Cyber Security is available.
The Doctor of Philosophy is designed to produce graduates who can apply interdisciplinary theory and a variety of research methodologies to the study of crime causation, social reaction, and the justice system. The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice permits students to emphasize the study of crime, crime control, and justice administration while simultaneously developing a strong foundation in social science theory and research methods. It prepares students for careers in college and university teaching and research, as well as for advanced public-policy positions.
While a criminal justice undergraduate major comparable to that offered by this school is not required for admission to the Master of Science degree program, the applicant must have a background of education and occupational experience appropriate to the successful pursuit of graduate work in the concentration elected. Applicants insufficiently prepared for graduate study in criminal justice may have to complete collateral course work or pursue individualized study to satisfy deficiencies. Occupational experience is highly desirable before undertaking graduate study in some fields of criminal justice.
All applicants must have at least 12 credits of undergraduate course work in political science, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, social work, or any combination thereof. At least 6 of these credits must be in sociology, psychology, social work, or any combination of such courses.
Regular Status
Provisional Status
A limited number of applicants who do not satisfy the school's regular admission requirements may be accepted provisionally. These students will be judged on the basis of their potential contribution to the field of criminal justice. Students should not be enrolled on a provisional basis for more than one semester. The student must be admitted on a regular basis to be considered a degree candidate. To qualify for admission to regular status, the student must complete a minimum of 10 credits in criminal justice graduate course work with a grade–point average of 3.20 or higher.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in criminal justice focuses on criminal justice and criminology and theory-based knowledge of crime, criminal justice organizations and processes and the law. During the course of doctoral study, students are expected to develop the depth, breadth and consistency of their training in research methods and their applications of analytical capabilities to administrative and policy issues.
To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program in Criminal Justice, an applicant must have:
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Criminal Justice
Students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Criminal Justice must complete a minimum of 60 credits.
Normally students complete the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in four years.
Several colleges and departments within Michigan State University cooperate to offer the Master of Science in Forensic Science. These include the College of Natural Science in cooperation with the departments of Chemistry; Pharmacology and Toxicology, Statistics and Probability, and Zoology as well as the Center for Advanced Microscopy, and the College of Social Science in cooperation with the Department of Anthropology and the School of Criminal Justice. The School of Criminal Justice is the primary administrative unit.This program is designed to give all students a broad, theoretical and practical background in the scientific, legal and investigative aspects of forensic science while providing the opportunity to study one of the major disciplines in depth. Students enrolled in this program must complete a concentration in one of the following areas: forensic chemistry or forensic anthropology.
A thesis is required of all students pursuing Plan A and opportunities exist for an internship in a practicing United States or international forensic science laboratory.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree program in forensic science, an applicant must have:
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science
The program is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). Each student will have a thesis advisory committee comprised of the academic advisor and two other program faculty. The student must complete at least 38 credits as follows:
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Complete 6 credits in Forensic Science 899 Master's Thesis Research.2. Attend at least one Master's Seminar Series lecture per semester.3. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Complete 6 credits of Forensic Science 890 Independent Study.2. Attend at least one Master's Seminar Series lecture per semester.3. Completion of a final examination or evaluation.
The Master of Science degree in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis is a Plan B (without thesis), online program designed for working law enforcement professionals to enhance their education and training in the critical field of intelligence. Criminal justice students wishing to enter a law enforcement career with a specialized graduate degree may also apply.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree program in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis, an applicant must:
The School of Criminal Justice recognizes that many applicants have been out of the academic environment for some time, and other factors may be considered in the admission process. A limited number of applicants who do not satisfy the School’s regular admission requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. The decision to grant provisional admission is based on the student’s potential contributions to the field of criminal justice. A student may be enrolled on a provisional basis for only two semesters and must be admitted on a regular basis to be considered a degree candidate. To qualify for regular status, a student must complete a minimum of 12 credits of graduate course work in criminal justice with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis
The complexities of modern society have combined to generate a variety of threats to business organizations, information networks, government installations and operations, and individuals. The Graduate Specialization in Security Management is designed for students who are interested in private and government security.
The specialization, which is administered by the School of Criminal Justice, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in master's degree programs at Michigan State University. The specialization should be of particular interest to students who are enrolled in certain programs in the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science.
The Specialization in Security Management is designed to help students to understand:
With the approval of the department or school and college that administer the student's degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the master's degree.
Requirements for the Graduate Specialization in Security Management:
Steven Haider, Chairperson
The Department of Economics offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as a minor. Jointly with the Department of Political Science, it also offers a Linked Bachelor of Arts or Science/Master of Public Policy degree program.
The economics degree programs provide students with substantive knowledge of the domestic and international economy and include the study of institutions, concepts, policy, and tools of analysis. Our students prepare for careers in business such as banking, financial markets, insurance, management, and consulting; positions in national, state, and local governments; teaching; and graduate study in economics and related fields including business administration, finance, public policy, and law.The department stresses flexibility in each undergraduate program and requires a strong core of economic theory, supplemented by mathematics, statistics, and computer science. All students are afforded substantial elective space and are encouraged to develop programs of study that are tailored to their individual interests and goals.
The Linked Bachelor of Arts or Science/Master of Public Policy program allows qualified students interested in professional careers in policy analysis, program management or policy advocacy the opportunity to complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in a total of five years.
Beyond the introductory courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, the department offers courses in a number of areas of emphasis. These areas of emphasis are listed below, along with their respective course offerings.
Microeconomics EC 251H Microeconomics and Public Policy EC 301 Intermediate Microeconomics EC 401 Advanced MicroeconomicsMacroeconomics and Monetary Theory EC 252H Macroeconomics and Public Policy EC 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics EC 330 Money, Banking, and Financial Markets EC 402 Advanced MacroeconomicsDevelopment EC 310 Economics of Developing Countries EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W)Econometrics EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods EC 421 Advanced Econometric Methods EC 422 Advanced Data Analysis in EconomicsPublic Economics EC 335 Taxes, Government Spending and Public Policy EC 435 Public Expenditures (W) EC 436 Public Revenues (W)International Economics EC 340 Survey of International Economics EC 440 International Trade (W) EC 441 International Finance (W)Industrial Organization EC 360 Private Enterprise and Public Policy EC 460 American Industry: Structure and Behavior (W)Labor Economics EC 380 Labor Relations and Labor Market Policy EC 480 Analysis of Labor Markets (W)Economics of Education EC 485 Economics of Education (W)Law and Economics EC 425 Law and Economics (W)Health and Welfare EC 495 Economics of Poverty and Income Distribution (W) EC 498 Economics of Health Care (W)Urban Economics EC 438 Urban Economics (W)Environmental Economics EC 450 Economics of Environmental Policy (W)Behavioral Economics EC 404 Behavioral Economics (W)Undergraduate Research EC 499 Senior Seminar for Economics Majors (W)
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics emphasizes the use of quantitative techniques in the analysis of economic theories.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics emphasizes the use of advanced math and science in the analysis of economic theories. The program offers students more emphasis on mathematics, statistics, and computer science, as preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate training in economics.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics
The Minor in Economics, which is administered by the Department of Economics, provides a basic foundation for the breadth of study within the field of economics and a grounding in general economic theory.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Economics.
Requirements for the Minor in Economics
Complete 18 credits of economics course work with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 in courses used in fulfillment of the requirements for the minor.
The economics disciplinary minor is available for teacher certification for students who are pursuing a major with a teacher certification option in comparative cultures and politics, international relations, political theory and constitutional democracy, social relations and policy, interdisciplinary studies in social science, interdisciplinary studies in social science: social science education, or history. Students who elect the economics disciplinary minor must contact the Department of Economics.
For additional information, refer to the statement on TEACHER CERTIFICATION in the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in EconomicsMaster of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy
The department welcomes applications from Michigan State University Economics undergraduate students during the fall semester of their junior year in order to begin the program during the fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.50 and an approved program of study for the Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy at the time of admission. Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program for qualifying 400-level and above course work taken at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University or an external accredited institution. The number of approved credits, not to exceed 9, are applied toward the credit requirement of the master’s degree. Credits applied to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program are not eligible to be applied to any other graduate degree program.
The Master of Arts degree is available to students enrolled in the Ph.D. degree program in Economics or, with departmental approval, as a second degree for students enrolled in other graduate degree programs. Only the Plan B (without thesis) option is available. Course requirements include the first-year core sequence in the Ph.D. program in Economics, which prepares students for continuing in the Ph.D. program or for professional careers that call for high-level training in economic theory and quantitative analysis methods.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the University, of the College of Social Science, and the Department of Economics, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Before admission to graduate work, a student should have acquired a minimum of 25 credits in the social sciences, mathematics, statistics, agricultural economics, accounting, or business administration, or in some combination of these fields. Students with limited economics in their undergraduate programs will have to correct such deficiencies by completing collateral courses, not to count toward the degree, which serve as prerequisites for the graduate economics courses.
Applicants to the graduate programs are required to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test; in addition, applicants should arrange to have three letters of recommendation and transcripts of all prior collegiate course work supplied to the department.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Economics
To remain in the program and receive the M. A. degree in economics, a student must:
Students may be admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics only for a fall semester.In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Economics
Refer to the Doctor of Philosophy degree statement in the College of Social Science section.
Ashton M. Shortridge, Chairperson
The discipline of geography, as the study of place and space, concerns itself with the analysis and explanation of the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of physical and cultural patterns on the earth’s surface. The discipline is also interested in how the earth’s physical and human landscapes change over time. Geography can be classified both as a social science and a natural science as it examines human beings and their environment and serves as a bridge between the physical and cultural worlds. The undergraduate program is designed to prepare students for various careers in business, industry, education and government.
Strengths of the department include physical geography (climate, geomorphology, soils, vegetation), economic geography, environmental change, spatial technologies (GIS, remote sensing, cartography), health/medical geography, urban geography, and nature-society interactions.
The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences offers programs in economic geography, environmental geography, geography, and geographic information science leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Minors in Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics; Human-Environment and Economic Geography; and Physical Environment and Climate are also available.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science provides a rigorous, in-depth program for students interested in the application of information technology to the spatial dimensions of the Earth’s human and physical systems. It is an ideal program for those pursuing a career in the spatial technology sector, or for those considering graduate study in geography and related disciplines. Students attain substantial general quantitative and technical skills, as well as practical experience in the application of skills to solving problems drawn from local, regional, and global settings.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science
The Minor in Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics, which is administered by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences, provides a fundamental foundation to the breadth of study within the field of geographic information science.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University except those pursuing the concentration in Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics in the Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences.
Requirements for the Minor in Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics
Complete a minimum of 15 credits in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences from the following:
The Minor in Human-Environment and Economic Geography, which is administered by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences, provides a fundamental foundation to the breadth of study within the field of geography as well as grounding in general geographic theory.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University except those pursuing the concentration in Human-Environment and Economic Geography in the Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Requirements for the Minor in Human-Environment and Economic Geography
A geography disciplinary minor is available for secondary teacher certification.
Students who elect the geography disciplinary minor must contact the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences to plan their programs of study.
The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences offers programs in the discipline of geography leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Students who are enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences may elect an Interdepartmental Specialization in Cognitive Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Cognitive Science. For additional information, contact the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences.
The master's program in geography is designed to enable the student to achieve professional competence in the discipline. This program is intended to increase substantive and technical proficiency.
All students seeking the master's degree in geography are expected to have completed courses in physical, human, and regional geography; in quantitative methods; and in geographic information science. Applicants who have not completed all of these requirements may be admitted provisionally, and must remedy all course deficiencies before the degree is granted. Any course work completed to correct course deficiencies may not be counted towards the requirements for the degree.
REGULAR STATUS: The requirements for admission to the program include:
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Geography
The Master of Science in Geography is available only under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a minimum of 30 credits distributed as follows:
The Ph.D. program in geography is designed to develop the student's ability to conduct original research with special reference to:
Admission to the doctoral program is based upon an evaluation of the student's academic records related to both the bachelor's and master's degrees, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, letters of recommendation, written statements, and other pertinent information such as professional experience and related achievements. Typical entrants to the doctoral program present a grade–point average of 3.60 or higher in a recognized master's degree program, which usually includes a thesis, and satisfactory scores on the GRE.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geography
The student must:
Michael Stamm, Chairperson
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global History, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History: Social Studies Education for student's pursuing teacher certification. Students interested in teacher certification should contact the student affairs advisor in the College of Education. A Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership is also available.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Education
The History: Social Studies Education program is a comprehensive teaching major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Social Science. It is available for teacher certification and is only available to students pursuing teacher certification. Students who complete the requirements for this major and the requirements for teacher certification are recommended for a secondary teaching certificate in social studies. Persons with teacher certification in social studies are qualified to teach history, political science, geography, and economics.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History: Social Studies Education
The Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership, which is administered by the Department of History, provides students with a broad perspective on the military with analysis of all service branches of the Armed Forces from a historical and social scientific perspective. It also prepares current cadets for active duty service.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s 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 minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.
Requirements for the Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership
The history education disciplinary major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree is available for secondary teacher certification.
A history disciplinary minor is also available for secondary teacher certification.
Students who elect the history education disciplinary major or the history disciplinary minor must contact the Department of History.
Graduate programs in the Department of History are designed primarily for students whose career goals require a doctoral degree. The department welcomes applicants who are prepared to pursue a rigorous program of graduate study.
The Master of Arts degree program in history is designed for students who desire a general course of advanced study in the field.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 graduate study in the Department of History is primarily to the doctoral program. However, under certain circumstances, the department will consider applications for admission to the Master of Arts in History from students who wish to earn a master’s degree in preparation for a career in a supporting discipline or profession that does not require a Ph.D. Please consult with the Departmental Graduate Studies Director if you wish to apply for the Master of Arts in History.To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in history, an applicant must:
An international applicant is required to have fulfilled the university's English language proficiency requirement as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog in one of the following three ways:
Guidance CommitteeBefore completing 8 credits in history courses, the student, with the assistance of the Graduate Director, must constitute a guidance committee of at least two faculty members in the Department of History who represent different fields of history. Until the student's guidance committee has been established, the student's program of study must be approved by the Graduate Director.Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in HistoryThe program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under either Plan A or Plan B. The student's program of study must be approved by the student's guidance committee. The student must meet the requirements specified below:Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
The program leading to the doctoral degree with a major in history is designed to provide wide knowledge in several fields of history, specialized competence in a limited area, and research techniques that will prepare the student for a career in teaching, research, government service, private industry, and other areas of professional historical activity.The following primary fields of study are available to doctoral students in the department:
The department recognizes the high importance of developing among its doctoral candidates a proficiency in college teaching. To the limit of its resources, it undertakes to provide experience in teaching in the form of graduate assistantships, along with organized discussions of the ends and means of the teaching career.In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below. Admission Students are admitted to the program for fall semester only. The department must receive all application materials by December 1. Decisions on admission are announced by late February. In making admissions decisions, the department considers the competencies of the faculty and the needs of students and the profession.To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in history, an applicant must:
In rare instances, exceptional applicants whose English proficiency does not meet the minimum requirements at the time of application, will be admitted provisionally, with the understanding that the applicant must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency before admission and funding can be extended. Typically, the cutoff date to do so for fall semester is in early June.Applicants for doctoral study should understand that the department can offer no assurance that all of the areas of professional specialization will be available to students at any particular time. It is essential that persons with specific, clearly defined academic interests communicate with the Graduate Director before making firm plans to enroll in the doctoral program.Guidance CommitteeStudents entering the doctoral program will be guided by the graduate director in the selection of courses for the first year. By the end of the second semester, students should choose their major professor and their guidance committee. The committee shall consist of at least four members: two represent the student’s major field, one of whom shall chair the student’s guidance committee and direct the dissertation. In addition, two faculty members, one from each of the student’s chosen two minor fields, will serve on the committee.Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in HistoryThe student must:
Adrian Blow, Chairperson
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is committed to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families across the lifespan through research and preparation of graduates for research, teaching, and professional practice. Recognizing, understanding and addressing the central role of diversity and interdependence among families and communities in the process of human development are core values of the department.
Areas of study include child development, youth development, lifespan human development and family diversity, family community services, and couple and family therapy. Knowledge of basic research and the application of research to improving the lives of individuals in the context of the family, the community, and policy are emphasized. Practical experiences in real-world settings are incorporated into all areas of study. The Child Development Laboratory and the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic are part of the department.
At the undergraduate level, the focus is on the application of knowledge about individual development and family processes to early childhood education, child and youth services in the community, and services for adults. At the graduate level, this focus is widened to include courses and research experiences with the goal of improving the training of early childhood teachers, preparing professionals who will serve youth in a variety of contexts, and training therapists who provide services to families, couples, and individuals. The department graduate programs also prepare scholars who study child development in the context of family processes, diverse families and family problems, and the process and outcome of therapeutic interventions.
The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education degree program combines a basic education in child development and family studies with a broad general education and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings as early childhood teachers, home visitors, early interventionists, and administrators. The degree, appropriate for students interested in working with young children, ages birth to 8 years, leads to teacher certification for birth to kindergarten in the state of Michigan upon successful completion of the degree requirements and certification requirements of the state of Michigan.Birth to Kindergarten with Special Education students may elect to add an additional endorsement in Pre-Kindergarten to Third Grade in their programs. Similarly, students in the Pre-Kindergarten to Third grade major may add a Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education endorsement to their programs. Both options lead to teacher certification, pending successful completion of course work and certification requirements.Students may also pursue early admission into the Child Development master’s program while enrolled as undergraduates via its dual enrollment program (https://hdfs.msu.edu/dual-enrollment).
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education
Graduates will be committed to improving the health and well-being of diverse individuals and families across the lifespan through research, teaching, and professional practice. Recognizing, understanding and addressing the central role of diversity and interdependence among families and communities is a core value of graduates. Students gain knowledge of basic research and the application of research to improving the lives of individuals in the context of the family, the community, and policy. Practical experience in real-world settings is incorporated into the degree program. Students are prepared to work in community and governmental agencies and organizations that provide human services within changing societies and serve children, youth, and families. Upon graduation, students may apply for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator and with additional work experience they can earn full certification.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
The Individual, Marriage, and the Family
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Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
Complete 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses: Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for Bachelor of Science Degree. Courses used to fulfill the STEM requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirement.
The child development and early childhood education: birth to kindergarten and special education disciplinary major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree is available for teacher certification. A early childhood-general and special education disciplinary minor is available for students pursuing elementary teacher certification.Students who elect the child development and early childhood education: birth to kindergarten and special education disciplinary major must contact the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.For additional information, refer to the statement on TEACHER CERTIFICATION in the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is concerned with human development and with the interaction of individuals and family members throughout the life cycle as they interact with their environment. The department offers the following degree programs:
Graduate Certificate Early Childhood and Family Policy Human Services Administration Youth Development Specialist Youth Agency Management and AdministrationMaster of Arts Family Community Services Youth DevelopmentMaster of Science Child Development Human Development and Family StudiesDoctor of Philosophy Human Development and Family Studies
All graduate programs in the department are designed to develop professional competence, to encourage creative thinking, and to prepare students to perform and utilize research. Each student's program is developed within the framework of the area of major interest, taking into consideration his or her professional experience, interests, and educational and career goals.
Careers to which advanced degrees may lead include college teaching, research, extension, marriage and family therapy, and administration in early childhood education centers. Graduates also may be employed as family specialists in community and family agencies.
Opportunities are available within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies for graduate students to participate in ongoing interdisciplinary research and in field experiences in school or community settings. The Child Development Laboratories and the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic provide opportunities for applied and research experiences.
Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.
Master of Arts and Master of Science
In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Students with limited undergraduate backgrounds may be required to correct such deficiencies by completing courses which serve as prerequisites to graduate work.
The program focuses on the behavioral, psychological, biological and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in infants and young children. Key contexts of development emphasized in the program include family, early childhood educational settings, and culture. Courses are available in areas such as development across cultures, infant development, language and literacy research and practices, social-emotional development, observational methods for home or the classroom, approaches to early education, intervention and prevention programs, and parenting. Laboratory experiences in early childhood education are available in the Child Development Laboratories, and research experiences are available through work with faculty mentors. Both a thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) option are offered. Those pursuing Plan A are prepared for doctoral study in a variety of related fields.AdmissionStudents must have:
International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam: 1) Paper-based version: minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52; 2) Computer-based version: minimum average score of 213, no subscore below 19; 3) Internet-based version: minimum average score of 80; no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22.Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Child DevelopmentThe Master of Science Degree in Child Development is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for Plan A and a total of 32 credits is required for Plan B.
The Master of Arts in Family Community Services, is a collaborative, multi-institutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to provide a research-based perspective to understand individual, family, interpersonal and community dynamics across the lifespan. Students will acquire knowledge and skills related to the design, implementation, sustainability, and leadership and management of family and community services programs.
The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and South Dakota State University.
Students will earn this degree from their home institution while also enrolling for courses at other participating institutions.
To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Family Community Services
The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 30 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:
Michigan State University students should contact the Department of Human Development and Family Studies or consult the Michigan State University Schedule of Courses for current course schedule and other information.
The Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies is designed to help students gain an understanding of increasingly diverse family units as well as individual family members as they develop across the life course. Depending upon student interest and career goals, focus may be on human development (adolescence, aging), leadership, policy or diversity. Students are prepared to work with and advocate for families, children, youth and adults in a broad range of settings, including extension offices, community agencies, and policy-making contexts. Both a thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) option are offered. Those pursuing Plan A are prepared for doctoral study in a variety of related fields.AdmissionStudents must have:
International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam: 1) Paper-based version: minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52; 2) Computer-based version: minimum average score of 213, no subscore below 19; 3) Internet-based version: minimum average score of 80; no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22.Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family StudiesThe Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for both Plan A and Plan B.
Human Development and Family Studies is the interdisciplinary study of individuals and relationships across the lifespan in diverse contexts of families, communities, and cultures. Ph.D. candidates are prepared to transform the human experience through applied research rooted in social justice.Doctoral students collaborate with faculty mentors in experiences related to applied research, developing a focal area of scholarship. Each student completes rigorous course work, including research methodology, comprehensive exams, and the dissertation. Student achievements are documented in a professional portfolio throughout the doctoral program.The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Development and Family Studies offers three concentrations from which students may choose. They include:Child Development: focus on behavioral, psychological, biological, educational, and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in infants and young children.Diversity, Youth, and Family Development: focus on developmental processes across life course periods from middle childhood to emerging adulthood within the context of family, community, schools and other environments within a sociocultural context. Particular contexts include attention to immigration, poverty, ethnic/racial socialization and identity, and sexual/gender socialization and identity. Study may focus on one life stage (i.e., middle childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood) or examine an issue (e.g., attachment, chronic illness, discrimination) across multiple periods within the life course. Completing a selection of courses on development in middle childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, cultures, identities, families, parenting or policy,agreed upon by the student and committee members will satisfy the concentration.Couple and Family Therapy: focus on the application of research and theory to individual, group, couple and family therapy. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.AdmissionAdmission to the doctoral program in human development and family studies is based on evidence of academic ability, research potential, leadership qualities, and fit of research interests with potential faculty mentors. Admission to the program assumes a background in the behavioral sciences; collateral course work that does not count toward the doctoral degree may be required where background is inadequate. Students who apply for the Human Development and Family Studies Ph.D. program must participate in an interview with a selected faculty committee. Students are admitted to the degree program in fall semester only.Child Development: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with child development as the area concentration, an applicant must have completed at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with a background in the behavioral sciences or related field.Diversity, Youth, and Family Development: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with diversity, youth, and family development as the area concentration, an applicant must have completed at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with a background in the behavioral sciences or related field.Couple and Family Therapy: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with couple and family therapy as the area of concentration, an applicant must have completed a master's degree program with a major in marriage and family therapy or related field.Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
The Master of Arts in Youth Development, is a collaborative, multiinstitutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to promote an understanding of communities and families and to prepare students to have an impact on the development of youth in their homes, neighborhoods, and society. American youth born since the early 1980s are projected to be the largest, most ethnically diverse generation of adolescents in the history of the United States, and this program is designed to address that demographic shift.
The curriculum is focused on the promotion of positive development of all young people. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in a variety of youth-related professions, including youth-serving organizations and programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs, community recreation specialties, youth programs sponsored by faith-based institutions, correctional professions, or within U.S. Extension Programs.
The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, University of Missouri, North Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Nebraska.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Youth Development
The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Each course is offered at least once every other year. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 27 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:
The Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to develop and apply resources for successful implementation and management of youth-serving organizations. The program addresses the need for advanced education based on research and policy for optimal youth outcomes through a strengths-based curriculum.
The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allow flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.
To be considered for admission into the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate applicants must follow established University admission procedures. Students currently pursuing the Master of Arts in Youth Development are not eligible to apply for admission to the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate. For additional information, refer to the Admission section in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.
Requirements for the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate
The program is available totally online. The student must complete 12 credits of course work in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA).
The Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to train individuals in the second decade of life with the skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. The program addresses the need for advanced education in youth issues and does so through a strengths-based curriculum.
The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allows flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.
To be considered for admission into the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate applicants must follow established University admission procedures. Students currently pursuing the Master of Arts in Youth Development are not eligible to apply for admission to the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate. For additional information, refer to the Admission section in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.
Requirements for the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate
Peter Berg, Director
The Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations is the school’s signature graduate degree, offered on a full-time basis in East Lansing, Michigan. With a diverse and highly qualified student body, the master’s program is universally regarded as one of the premier professional programs of its kind in the world. Preparing future leaders for professional careers, students receive a comprehensive, contemporary foundation in human resources and labor relations, gain a broad global perspective, and learn to apply best practices, lead organizational change, and act strategically as business leaders. The curriculum offers a wide range of courses across required core knowledge areas including: human resource management, labor-management relations, organizational change, business acumen, international human resources and employment relations, workplace law, economics of human resources, and quantitative methods for human resource analyses.
In addition to classroom instruction, nearly all students participate in paid summer internships with companies between their first and second year in the program. Through these summer internships, students receive invaluable mentoring and on-the-job learning, working as members of specific project teams and undertaking individual assignments.
AdmissionTo be considered for admission to the master's degree program, a student must have a bachelor's degree and a cumulative grade–point average of 3.00 or higher in the junior and senior years. Applicants may submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), however the GRE/GMAT scores are optional. Applicants must complete one course in microeconomic principles, one course in statistics, and one course in behavioral sciences at the undergraduate level with a minimum grade of 3.0 in each course. In addition, applicants will be judged on the quality of their statement of objectives and three letters of reference.
Requirements for the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations Degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations
The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete 36 credits with a grade–point average of at least 3.00.
Human Resources and Labor Relations students who are admitted to the dual MHRL/JD program with the Michigan State University - College of Law may transfer a maximum of 9 credits from the Michigan State University/College of Law program to the MHRL program. These credits may be used only to satisfy elective credits. Only Plan B (without thesis) is available for election under the dual degree program.
The School of Human Resources and Labor Relations offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations to prepare students for a career as a scholar in human resources or labor and employment relations in a tenure-track position at a research-oriented university. Students study employment phenomena from the perspective of multiple actors including employees, employers, unions, the government, and society at-large. The program integrates tools from diverse disciplines including economics, management, and psychology.
Admission to this doctoral program is based on an evaluation of the student’s academic record, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, letters of recommendation, written statements, and an application form. For further details, visit our Web site at www.hrlr.msu.edu.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations
Students will complete course work and seminars (60 credits) within the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, and within other departments in the university. Students must:
Ming-Han Li, Director
The School of Planning, Design and Construction uniquely unites four built environment disciplines to foster synergistic learning and collaboration: construction management, interior design, landscape architecture and urban and regional planning. The academic programs are accredited and produce career-ready graduates. Students work on real-world, cross-discipline projects and activities. The faculty cross-collaborate on pressing built environment issues, delivering timely and crucial sustainable research and outreach.The School of Planning, Design and Construction is administered jointly by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science.
The undergraduate program in urban and regional planning provides students with a basic understanding of environment-, economy- and society-related planning issues using scientific, social scientific or humanistic approaches. Students will learn the history of urbanism, the theory and principles of urban design, and the relevant legal and administrative policies & procedures. Students study the techniques of survey and research used in the analysis of the structure and growth of urban areas. They are involved in written and graphic communication. They recognize the contributions made by other disciplines concerned with the study of urban development, including politics, law, economics, social aspects, pollution control, natural resources and the interactions of human beings and nature. By developing systematic programs for the orderly and unified arrangement of urban physical structures, students focus their accumulated knowledge and skills on specific urban problems. The undergraduate program, which has been accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, is designed to prepare majors to assume the responsibilities encountered in entry level professional planning practice.Admission Admission is competitive, and enrollment is limited for each entering class. The department accepts and reviews applications during the Spring semester of each year for admission into the UP core courses the following Fall.All students interested in applying for admission as juniors to the bachelor’s degree program in Urban and Regional Planning must:
Program faculty and academic staff determine admissions based on the applicants’ qualifications and the program’s enrollment capacity. Review committees will consider factors such as applicants’:
Admission decisions are made each year at the end of the Spring semester.For additional information about admission criteria and procedures, students should contact the Urban and Regional Planning program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction.Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning
The School of Planning, Design and Construction is administered jointly by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science. The school offers a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree program with a major in urban and regional planning, and a Master of International Planning Studies degree program with a major in international planning studies through the College of Social Science. Those programs are described below. The school also offers a Master of Arts degree program in Environmental Design; a Master of Science degree program in Construction Management, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Planning, Design and Construction through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For information about those programs, refer to the statement on the School of Planning, Design and Construction in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.
The Master of International Planning Studies (MIPS) is an online one-year (2 semesters and one summer) program that is designed for practitioners currently employed in urban and regional planning or related fields who desire additional knowledge in the field of community and regional development. Prospective students must have direct experience in the international aspects of planning or related fields that directly relate to their proposed area of concentration.
Applications for admission must hold an advanced degree or have significant experience in international planning, and seek knowledge about urban and regional conditions and related areas such as real estate, economic development, environmental protection and international planning. Applicants must demonstrate that the degree will strengthen their career credentials and make them more competitive in the applicant’s chosen international planning profession. Prospective students are assumed to have a basic knowledge of planning concepts.
Requirements for the Master of International Planning Studies Degree
The program is available only online under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete at least 30 credits as specified below.
The graduate program leading to a degree of Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) is committed to preparing students for professional planning careers in both the private and public sectors and seeks to develop both general planning knowledge and specific skills for practice. The program provides students with an advanced understanding of environment-, economy- and society-related planning issues using scientific, social scientific or humanistic approaches. Current faculty research and teaching expertise covers a wide range of planning subjects including urban design; land use planning; land use law; housing; community, economic and real estate development; natural resources; research methods; international development; transportation; technology; environmental planning; and public policy. The MURP degree is a nationally accredited degree and admits students with a variety of academic backgrounds. Ideal students are those with strong intellectual ability; good written and verbal communication skills; basic statistical methods and have demonstrated a proven potential for leadership in the field of urban and regional planning.A student entering the graduate program in urban and regional planning is expected to concentrate, under faculty guidance, on studies that provide an optimum learning experience in applying the various scientific principles, theories, techniques, and design skills of planning to specific field problems. The graduate student is immersed in significant planning studies and research. The graduate program is designed to provide professional competence. After graduation, the student should be capable of assuming responsibilities on an intermediate level of a professional planning operation. The master's program in Urban and Regional Planning has been accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
To be admitted to the master’s degree program, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution; a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0; a grade-point average below 3.0 may be supplemented with a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 1000 in verbal and quantitative, and an analytical writing score of 3.5. Students who are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must submit scores.
Requirements for the Master in Urban and Regional Planning Degree in Urban and Regional Planning
The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete at least 43 credits and meet the requirements specified below:
Academic standards for graduation require that each student maintain an average of 3.00, or better, in all course work, including study undertaken in collateral courses; however, the accumulation of grades below 3.0 in more than two courses of 3 or more credits each removes the student from the degree program.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 13 transfer credits at the 400 or 800-level may be accepted toward the Master in Urban and Regional Planning degree.
The time limit for completing the degree is six years from the first semester of enrollment in the program.
Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz, Chairperson
As a science, political science is concerned with theories, research methods, and facts as they relate to understanding political processes and phenomena. In particular, political science studies the distribution of power in groups, parties, institutions, governments, and international organizations. As a field of study, political science asks who has power, how did they get it, and why the exercise of power benefits some more than others. On both the American and international stages, political science prepares students to confront vital issues, raise critical perspectives, and explore new methodologies in the study of the fundamental concepts of power and change.
The undergraduate majors in political science are designed to provide students with a broad education in political and other social sciences with the analytical skills essential in many professions. The wide range of career opportunities open to political science graduates includes administrative positions in local, state, and federal government, or in public and private agencies; work with citizen's action groups and voluntary organizations; employment in the foreign service and various governmental and private international agencies; and careers as teachers and policy analysts. Because additional training beyond the bachelor's degree is necessary for some careers, many students in political science plan to attend law or graduate school. Qualified undergraduate political science majors who want to pursue professional careers in policy analysis, program management or policy advocacy, can complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in a total of five years through the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree in Public Policy.
Students in the Department of Political Science may select one of the following majors:
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (General)
The prelaw major is designed to introduce students to the study of law and the judicial process and at the same time to provide an orientation to the law which is more general than that of most law schools. Students who elect this program may plan careers in (1) government and large businesses, (2) law firms, (3) individual or partnership practice of civil law, (4) trial practice, including criminal law, and (5) teaching. Since very few law schools provide information about the political, economic, societal and psychological environment in which the law exists, this background must generally be acquired prior to or after law school. The prelaw major is intended to give students the analytical skills and substantive background in those courses which will most likely contribute to their development.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science–Prelaw
The Public Policy major is designed to prepare students for careers in public service, advocacy, and analysis. It aims at a broad understanding of the goals and problems of public policy, the political process that leads to policy development, and the implementation and evaluation of public policy. The major is valuable preparation for those who intend to engage in research for public agencies, non-profits, or voluntary associations interested in the problems of government. A master’s degree program concentrating in public policy is also available for advanced work in preparation for an executive career in these fields.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy
The Bachelor of Arts degree in World Politics is designed to educate students about governments and political systems of many different nations and the interactions among them. It will prepare students for careers in international affairs in the public, private, and non-profit spheres. The major allows students to study the regions of the world that most interest them but also provides broad coverage of international relations and comparative politics.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in World Politics
A political science disciplinary minor is available for teacher certification and is available only to students pursuing a major in Comparative Cultures and Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, Social Relations and Policy, Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science: Social Science Education, or History with a teacher certification option.
Students who elect the political science disciplinary minor must contact the Department of Political Science.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (General)Master of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy
The department welcomes applications from Michigan State University Political Science (General) undergraduate students during the fall semester of their junior year in order to begin the program during the fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.50 and an approved program of study for the Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy at the time of admission. Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program for qualifying 400-level and above course work taken at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University or an external accredited institution. The number of approved credits, not to exceed 9, are applied toward the credit requirement of the master’s degree. Credits applied to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program are not eligible to be applied to any other graduate degree program.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science-PrelawMaster of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy
The department welcomes applications from Michigan State University Political Science-Prelaw undergraduate students during the fall semester of their junior year in order to begin the program during the fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.50 and an approved program of study for the Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy at the time of admission. Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program for qualifying 400-level and above course work taken at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University or an external accredited institution. The number of approved credits, not to exceed 9, are applied toward the credit requirement of the master’s degree. Credits applied to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program are not eligible to be applied to any other graduate degree program.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public PolicyMaster of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy
The department welcomes applications from Michigan State University Public Policy undergraduate students during the fall semester of their junior year in order to begin the program during the fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.50 and an approved program of study for the Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy at the time of admission. Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program for qualifying 400-level and above course work taken at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University or an external accredited institution. The number of approved credits, not to exceed 9, are applied toward the credit requirement of the master’s degree. Credits applied to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Program are not eligible to be applied to any other graduate degree program.
The Department of Political Science offers a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Political Science and a Master of Public Policy degree program in Public Policy.
The graduate degree programs in the Department of Political Science are designed to help students become thoroughly grounded in the knowledge base and research methods of political science. Training is given in the following major fields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, public policy, political thought, formal theory, and research methodology.
The Department of Political Science and the Department of Economics jointly offer a Master of Public Policy Degree, as well as Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree in Public Policy. The Master of Public Policy Degree and the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree in Public Policy provide students with the requisite skills to address complex societal problems, reconcile conflicting political and ethical values in policymaking, make informed decisions about program activities, and provide effective leadership in policy development and implementation.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, graduate students must meet the requirements specified below.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution is required for admission. Applicants should have the equivalent of an undergraduate major in political science, in a related social science, or in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. Some background in social science research methods, statistics, and/or basic mathematical operations is recommended. Normally, a minimum grade–point average of 3.20 in the last two years of undergraduate work is required for admission.
Admission to the doctoral program is limited to fall semester only. For the Master of Public Policy program, most students are admitted for fall semester; applications for the spring semester will be considered on the basis of available openings. Applications for admission and financial aid should be submitted by March 1. Applications for admission alone will be accepted until approximately May 15.
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.00. Only those courses completed with a grade of 2.5 or higher may be counted toward the requirements for the master's or doctoral degree. A student who received two grades of 2.5 or below, or one grade of 2.0 or below, may be withdrawn from the program. A student who received three grades of 2.5 or below, or two grades of 2.0 or below, will be withdrawn from the program.
The Master of Arts program is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies. Those accepted are judged by the committee on admissions as qualified to enter the doctoral program, and it is anticipated they plan to complete this program at Michigan State University.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, of the College of Social Science, and of the Department of Political Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must meet the requirements specified below:
The student must maintain an overall grade–point average of 3.00 or higher.
For Law College students who have been admitted to the dual J.D.-M.A. program with Michigan State University - College of Law, a maximum of 12 credits from Michigan State University - College of Law may be transferred to the M.A. program with a major in political science. A grade of 2.0 in a Law course will transfer to MSU as a passing grade. Students will be assessed at the Law College tuition rate with a graduate assistantship covering only the MSU cost of in-state tuition.
The Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and specific skills essential for professional achievement in the public and non-profit sectors. The objective of this program is to develop an analytical approach to the public decision-making process through the systematic study of policy and policy analysis. Current professionals in the field of public policy or others who are interested in a career in public policy in the non-profit sector or in government will find this program appealing.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, the College of Social Science, and the Department of Political Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Master of Public Policy Degree in Public Policy
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete 39 credits in courses approved by the director of the Master in Public Policy program and distributed as follows:
The doctoral degree is generally undertaken by students wishing to teach political science and government at the college level and by those seeking professional careers in political and social research. Special attention is given at the doctoral level to intensive training in political research.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science
The doctoral student must:
Additional requirements and evaluations are described in the Ph.D. Handbook on the department's Web site at www.pls.msu.edu.Academic Standards
Academic standards for the Doctor of Philosophy degree program are described in the Ph.D. Handbook on the department's Web site at www.pls.msu.edu.
Kevin Ford, Chairperson
Psychology is a science concerned with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Psychologists study many topics including: how people perceive the world with their five senses; how people learn (and forget); how people relate to each other; how people develop their personalities; how people interpret and respond to social conditions; how organizations function; how to classify and understand the origins of psychopathology; how to intervene and treat psychological problems; how communities support health and well-being; and how non-human animal models can be used to understand human behavior.The undergraduate program emphasizes the scientific method and logical reasoning as well as theories and empirical findings in the different subareas of the discipline. Students are advised to obtain preparation in supporting fields such as mathematics, statistics, and philosophy of science. A strong foundation in other biological and social sciences as well as the arts and humanities is also recommended. Students who plan a career in psychology as a specialty will likely find graduate education a necessity. Beyond foundational training for a career in psychology, the undergraduate degree provides broad training for those interested in careers in business, education, law, medicine, and social services.Graduate program descriptions are available from the departmental Web site at: www.psychology.msu.edu.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
A psychology disciplinary minor is available for teacher certification.
Students who elect the psychology disciplinary minor must contact the Department of Psychology.
The primary objective of doctoral programs in the Department of Psychology is to develop psychologists who are creative scholars. At the same time, students must develop the basic skills of their particular specialty and be well prepared for the job market through carefully supervised experience in research, teaching, and consulting. Relevant training experiences are available in agencies such as industries, clinics, hospitals, schools, and government offices as relevant to students in their specialized graduate training programs.Graduate programs include: behavioral neuroscience, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, clinical, ecological/community, organizational, and social/personality psychology. Students in these programs may participate in advanced graduate training through a concentration in Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science (QMES).A fully online master's program and graduate certificate in Program Evaluation are available. A fully online master's program in Work and Organizational Psychology is also available. Students learn to use research methods and other tools to determine if programs and policies are working to address important social issues and how they can be improved. The program emphasizes professional development in contemporary models and standards of evaluation practice; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method design and analysis for the evaluation context; leading-edge communication and reporting strategies; and evaluation contracting and project management. See http://progeval.msu.edu.
Students who are enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs in the Department of Psychology may elect an Interdepartmental Specialization in Cognitive Science. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Cognitive Science. For additional information, contact the Department of Psychology.
Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Psychology may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood.
Students are accepted for graduate study in psychology only if judged by a departmental committee to be qualified to complete a doctoral degree, and programs of study are planned with this goal in mind; the master's sequence is generally developed as an integral part of the doctoral program with special attention given to the plans and needs of each student. Additional details are given under the doctoral program as outlined below. There is no terminal master's program.
Factors given major consideration for admission to the graduate program at the first–year level include (1) an approved bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, (2) a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.20 or better in academic studies, (3) undergraduate courses in experimental psychology and statistics, (4) satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test, (5) favorable evaluations of the applicant by three referees, preferably instructors in the applicants undergraduate major; and (6) approval by a departmental committee. That an applicant has achieved the above is not sufficient for admission. The number of applicants with superior qualifications exceeds the number of students that can be accommodated. The department is especially interested in quality students and generally accepts them regardless of their undergraduate majors provided that they have adequate background for graduate study in psychology. Students meeting only the requirements for admission to provisional status are not generally accepted. Completed applications must be received by December 1 for consideration for the subsequent fall semester.Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Psychology
To meet individual needs, every student has a guidance committee with the student's advisor as chairperson. The committee develops a program of studies in consultation with the student. The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits as follows:Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
There is no general language requirement. Where acquaintance with a foreign language is necessary for advancing the special interest of a particular student, the guidance committee may impose foreign language requirements.Psychology graduate students may participate in advanced graduate training through a concentration in Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science (QMES). Students selecting this concentration must complete two prerequisite courses, three advanced training courses, and one student-developed project under the supervision of two members of the Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science faculty.
For Law College students who have been admitted to the dual J.D. - M.A. program with Michigan State University - College of Law, a maximum of 9 credits from Michigan State University - College of Law may be transferred to the M.A. program with a major in psychology. A grade of 2.0 in a Law course will transfer to MSU as a passing grade. Students will be assessed at the Law College tuition rate with a graduate assistantship covering only the MSU cost of in-state tuition.
Anne Katrin Hughes, Director
Admission as a Junior
The number of students who can be admitted as juniors to the bachelor's degree program in social work is limited. Applications are accepted and reviewed only during the spring semester of each year.
All persons who are interested in applying for admission as juniors to the bachelor's degree program in social work must request a special application form and detailed information regarding admission requirements and procedures from the School of Social Work Web site at http://www.socialwork.msu.edu/Programs/BASW.
Students who are enrolled in colleges and universities other than Michigan State University should contact Michigan State University's Office of Admissions and the School of Social Work regarding admission to the bachelor's degree program in social work as transfer students.
To be considered for admission as a junior to the bachelor's degree program in social work, a student must have:
Admission to the bachelor's degree program in social work is competitive, and there is no guarantee that students with a major preference in social work will be admitted to the bachelor's degree program as juniors. In making admissions decisions, the faculty considers the relative qualifications of applicants, their suitability for the program, and the enrollment capacity of the program.
A student who has been admitted to the bachelor’s degree program in social work for a given semester, but then decides not to enroll for that semester, would need to reapply for admission to the program. There is no guarantee that the student would be admitted to the program again.
Honors Study
Students interested in honors study in social work should consult with academic advisors in the school.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work
The Master of Social Work degree program includes extensive required courses and course sequences in social work. Only Plan B (without thesis) is available.
Clinical (micro) social work, also known as direct practice with individuals, couples, families, and small groups, builds upon the profession's values and ethics and strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective.Organization and Community Leadership (macro) social work, also known as the practice area of specialization, focuses on social issues at a larger scope - programs, policies, communities, laws, or social and governmental institutions - through activities such as program and policy analysis and development, advocacy, fund raising, grant-writing, research, and program evaluation.In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission to the Master of Social Work Degree Program
All students begin the Master of Social Work degree program in the fall semester to align their enrollment with the sequencing of required courses. Therefore, applicants should seek admission during the previous fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for admission must complete all application materials. Additional information can be found at www.socialwork.msu.edu. Although an undergraduate major or concentration in the social sciences or in social work may be helpful, it is not required.To be considered for admission to the Master of Social Work degree program, a person must have:
In addition to these requirements, applicants to the Statewide Blended and Weekend program options must meet additional requirements. For Statewide Blended, applicants must:
For Weekend, applicants must:
Requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree ProgramThe student must complete 57 credits in specified instruction in social work. Required course work for both the Clinical Social Work major and the Organization and Community Leadership major are taken in the following areas: social work practice methods, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, and field education. Additional information can be found at http://socialwork.msu.edu.
Admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program
Persons who hold a recent bachelor’s degree in social work from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may apply for admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program.
Students begin the program in summer session. Applicants should therefore seek admission during the previous fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for admission must complete all the application materials. Additional information can be found at www.socialwork.msu.edu.
To be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program, a person must have:
Requirements for the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work ProgramThe student must complete 36 credits in specified instruction in social work. Required course work for both the Clinical Social Work major and the Organization and Community Leadership major are taken in the following areas: social work practice methods, social welfare policy, research methods, and field education. Additional information can be found at http://socialwork.msu.edu.
Residence
One year of residence consisting of two consecutive semesters and involving at least 7 credits of graduate course work each semester is required.
Part–Time Students
Both the Master of Social Work program and the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program are available on a part–time basis.
At the time of admission, students must apply for either part–time or full–time study. Students may transfer between part–time and full–time study with approval of the School.
Part–time students must progress through a plan of study as specified by the school. All students must meet their residence requirements during the year in which they are enrolled in the advanced practice and field education courses.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work is an interdisciplinary program rooted in the historical, epistemological, and philosophical bases of social work. It is designed to prepare social workers for leadership positions in the profession as educators, researchers, policy makers, and/or administrators. It places emphasis on the development, analysis, and application of social work knowledge related to professional practice, and is designed to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the social work profession and field of social welfare.
The doctoral program in social work invites applications from experienced social workers who hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited graduate program. Applicants must provide evidence of academic performance via transcripts and standardized test scores, and a capacity to develop concepts and articulate issues related to the social work profession via two writing samples. Students are asked to provide a personal essay that articulates their interest in advanced social work research, education, and practice. Applicants with outstanding academic records may be admitted to the program provisionally and permitted to make up deficiencies on a collateral basis..Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work
Carla Pfeffer, Chairperson
The world is rapidly changing. Global processes are transforming societies, changing cities and forms of economic production, creating new ways of communicating, facilitating new migration patterns, impacting human health and life chances, reshaping the biophysical environment, increasing social inequalities, and posing new risks and opportunities. New forms of labor, social movements, family life, health care delivery, military conflicts, and ways to distribute food and services are emerging. These global forces are even changing the character of sociology itself.Members of the MSU Department of Sociology investigate these changing social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics through domestic and international scholarship (and—increasingly—with comparative, cross-national research). To accomplish this, MSU sociologists develop and apply leading theoretical frameworks, rigorously employ a diversity of methodological approaches, and use foundational and cutting-edge analytical techniques. In the process, MSU sociologists not only contribute significantly to the disciplinary core, but they also extend disciplinary influence by advancing its frontiers.
Sociology, the core of the social sciences, is the scientific study of the human world—which includes not only humans but all that we value. Sociologists examine some of the most challenging questions that humans raise and address many of societies’ most vexing problems. Sociologists investigate a wide array of social, political, economic, and cultural phenomena at all levels of analysis, from individual people to groups (e.g., high school cliques, music bands) to communities (e.g., neighborhoods, online support networks) to organizations (e.g., corporations, voluntary associations) to institutions (e.g., the family, religion) to societies (e.g., France, Navajo).The department’s undergraduate program is designed to help students gain critical sociological knowledge and strengthen key methodological, analytical, and communication skills. With such important knowledge and skills, graduates with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology effectively participate in democratic decision-making, perform meaningful and impactful work over their career, and promote human well-being more broadly. While the department offers courses on a range of topics, we regularly teach several in each of our three signature areas in which our faculty has considerable expertise: environment, health and medicine, and migration. The department also offers opportunities for undergraduate students to take part in an Education Abroad/Away program, complete an internship, and participate in faculty-supervised research—all different ways for students to apply their course-based knowledge and skills to real-world situations.Sociology bachelor degree recipients choose a range of lucrative paths. Some succeed in graduate school in sociology or related disciplines, while others succeed in professional school in law, medicine, public health, or public administration. Still others accept exciting positions in social services, teaching, public service, research, public relations, and administration.A Minor in Sociology is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. A total of 19 credits in the Department of Sociology are required for the minor. For further information about the minor in Sociology, visit https://sociology.msu.edu.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology
The Minor in Sociology, which is administered by the Department of Sociology, provides a fundamental understanding of the linkages between agency and structure in society. Students obtain knowledge of the principles of sociology, sociological inquiry, diversity in society, and the ways in which global forces are transforming modern society.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Sociology.
Requirements for the Minor in Sociology
Complete a minimum of 19 credits in the Department of Sociology from the following:
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Sociology
The program is available only under Plan A (with thesis). The student must meet the requirements specified below:
The doctoral degree program in sociology is designed to give the student a general background in sociological theory and methodology, as well as training in a major substantive area of the discipline.
While there is no language requirement, where acquaintance with a foreign language is necessary for advancing the special interest of the student, the student, in consultation with the guidance committee, may decide upon the study of a foreign language appropriate to their research and career development.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology
The Women, Gender, and Social Justice program is a multi-disciplinary academic program that is administered by the College of Arts and Letters, with support from the College of Social Science and the College of Education. The College of Arts and Letters is the primary administrative unit and the Center for Gender in Global Context in International Studies and Programs oversees the program. The program offers a major in women’s and gender studies leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition, the program offers an undergraduate minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and a minor in Lesbian, gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and Sexuality Studies. For additional information, refer to the Women, Gender, and Social Justice Program statement in the College of Arts and Letters section of this catalog.
Jiaguo Qi, Director
Dean Rehberger, Director
Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences at Michigan State University seeks to advance critical understanding and promote access to knowledge through world-class research in digital humanities and cultural informatics. Digital humanities and cultural informatics bring together the humanist’s quest for deeper understanding of human nature, thought, expression, and behavior with the tools, methods and applications of computer science, user experience design, and information and library sciences. Matrix researchers use information and communication technologies to advance, mediate, and inform the humanist disciplines, as well as disciplines within the arts, social sciences, and education. At MSU, Matrix partners in music, history, anthropology and archaeology, education, international studies, museum studies, archives and libraries to build new, global, networked resources, services, and platforms that give life to the metaphor of “Matrix” as the multiple intersections and applications of interdisciplinary research. Matrix therefore applies humanities technology to all the elements of MSU’s mission: research, education, outreach, and service to multiple public and professional communities. Guided by basic scholarly and humanist values of excellence, education, access, and inclusiveness, and conducted according to proven, collaborative, scholarly methods and principles, Matrix has become one of the most prestigious humanities technology centers in the world.
To this end, the mission of Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Services serves as a catalyst for and incubator of the emerging fields of the digital humanities and cultural heritage informatics. In pursuing the Center’s vision, Matrix is guided by five broad strategic goals that describe the national research agenda in digital humanities and cultural heritage informatics:
For additional information, visit www.matrix.msu.edu .
Erin Bunting, Director
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science Research and Outreach Services (RS&GIS) is administered by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences in the College of Social Science. The program was established to strengthen and support the utilization of geospatial technologies in research, instruction and extension activities.RS&GIS promotes interdisciplinary research through collaborative efforts with faculty, research staff and students. Technical expertise includes geospatial database creation and analysis, web-mapping application development, mobile application development, website design, aerial and satellite image processing and interpretation, UAS data collection and analysis, geospatial modeling, terrain analysis and cartographic design. Thematic expertise includes land/water use and change detection, economic development and planning, assessment/inventory of natural and human systems, UAS development and deployment, human-environment interactions, climatology, climate change ecology, and ecology of arid lands. RS&GIS also maintains the Michigan Aerial Imagery Archive, a repository of historical imagery dating back to the 1930s.Professional staff are available for consultation and technical assistance to faculty, staff, and students. The program sponsors both technical and thematic seminars and short courses.
Matthew Grossmann, Director
The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research is a university–wide research institute located within the College of Social Science. The institute provides research and technical assistance programs aimed at state, regional, and local levels of government, and research on national and international comparative issues. Institute personnel have economic, tax policy and analysis, public policy analysis and evaluation, computer programming, data management, statistical, survey analysis, and methodological expertise. The Institute includes the following units:
Michigan Political Leadership Program. This scholarship-funded certificate program is designed for those seeking greater involvement in the public policy process, particularly while serving in public office. Every year, 24 successful applicants participate in a curriculum that provides a solid foundation in practical politics, public policy analysis and process, personal leadership development, and effective governance. The 10-month program is co-directed by two people, one Republican and one Democrat experienced in public leadership and governance.
Legislative Leadership Program. Sponsored with Michigan State University Extension and MSU's Office of Governmental Affairs, this program links scholars, legislators, and practitioners in a discussion of public policy issues and the policy making process. The program kicks off every two years shortly after state elections. It invites newly elected state legislators for a multi-day session on current public policy issues.Student Fellows. Competitively selected graduate and undergraduate students are engaged in work to enrich and expand leadership, policy and research. Their engagement focuses on compiling, analyzing and publishing research and writing for academic and public audiences.Public Policy Forums. The institute organizes and carries out regular forums on topics of timely interest for legislators and other governmental decision–makers. They have focused on such issues as energy, education, tax policy, and the state of the nation’s infrastructure and economic development.
Office for Survey Research. The institute specializes in telephone interviews, web-based surveys, and mailed questionnaires in support of both of applied and basic research. It also provides consultation in sampling design,question sequencing, statistical analysis, and other technical aspects of survey research. Projects span needs assessments, epidemiological studies, opinion surveys, client feedback surveys, cognitive interview testing, social or economic impact studies, various aspects of focus group design and operation, and political polls. The Office for Survey Research maintains and operates a state-of-the-art research lab.
State of the State Survey. This telephone survey of approximately 1,000 adult residents of Michigan is the only survey conducted to systematically monitor the public mood on important issues in major regions of the state. The quarterly survey runs about 20 minutes in length, and a portion of that time is devoted to questions monitoring the public’s satisfaction with public leaders and existing economic conditions. Results are published online. MSU faculty, administrators, profit and nonprofit organizations are consistent sponsors of SOSS questions, research contributors and collaborators.
Visit http://www.ippsr.msu.edu.
Janice A. Beecher, Director
The Institute of Public Utilities (IPU) supports informed, effective, and efficient regulation of the providers of essential utility infrastructure and services – electricity, natural gas, water, and broadband. IPU was established in 1965 at Michigan State University, the nation's pioneer land-grant institution, and is located on MSU’s beautiful East Lansing campus. IPU operates as a self-sustaining unit within the College of Social Science and collaborates with faculty and researchers from various academic colleges, departments, and centers. IPU delivers to the utility policy community independent, integrative, and interdisciplinary educational curricula and applied research on the institutions, theory, and practice of economic regulation and ratemaking. IPU specializes in building capacity for meeting the challenges of utility, network, and market governance, including modernization and transformation. IPU’s neutral analytical and instructional practice is informed by a broad array of traditional and applied disciplines, including economics, political science, law, accounting, finance, and engineering. IPU’s diverse program faculty includes nationally recognized university educators and expert practitioners known for their insight, experience, and teaching ability. IPU forums provide exceptional development and networking opportunities for everyone in the utility policy community, whether from the public, not-for-profit, or private sectors. Program participation is typically eligible for continuing education credits and can lead to a Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education (CCRE).