Master of Social Sciences

The Master of Social Sciences (M.S.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree program in the social sciences. The program is designed to meet the needs of graduate students whose professional employment makes it desirable that they study two or more subjects within the social sciences to earn the master's degree. Though most of the students have been public school teachers, candidates from other occupations may apply for admission to the program if the study would be to their professional advantage. The degree is appropriate for students intending to conclude their graduate education at the master's level of study.

The program provides students with the flexibility to pursue coursework that spans several disciplines. Students typically enter the program from very diverse backgrounds. All students have in common a high level of professional motivation and a desire to learn more about content in the area of the social sciences.

Degree Requirements

With the transition from a quarter system calendar to a semester system calendar in Academic Year 2012-2013, plans are underway for the M.S.S. program to become a full-time on-line degree program beginning in spring 2013. Plans are that students will take a total of eight courses (32 semester hours) from a variety of social science fields. For further information, contact Professor Katherine Jellison (contact information below).

Upon completion of studies, each student must pass a written examination based on a number of the courses that the student has taken in the course of the program. In conducting this examination, the student's exam committee will be guided by the program of courses and research pursued by the candidate so the examination will be reasonable in scope.

Admission to the Program

An applicant for admission to this program must have:

  • a bachelor's degree
  • Applicants need a 2.75 undergraduate g.p.a. for unconditional admission. Prospective students with an undergraduate g.p.a. below 2.75 are encouraged to apply, but they may be admitted conditionally or denied admission.
  • A student with between 24 to 30 quarter or 16 to 20 semester undergraduate hours in a field chosen as a major may be required to take a minimum of seven courses and 28 quarter hours of graduate credit in his/her major.
  • A student with fewer than 24 quarter or 16 semester undergraduate credit hours in a field chosen as a major will be required to register as a special student and take whatever undergraduate courses the major department requires to qualify that person to begin graduate studies in the major discipline under this program.
  • No more than 12 quarter or 8 semester hours in a maximum of three graduate courses passed with a grade of "B" or better will be accepted for this program from another college or university. Credit earned in other Ohio University programs which, in the judgment of the coordinator, is appropriate for this program, may be applied toward completion of the degree.
  • You may obtain a graduate application from this site. But remember that you will not be able to begin study in the program until the transition to the new program format in Academic Year 2012-2013. When you return the application, indicate "M.S.S." as the proposed area of study. Completed application forms, including copies of undergraduate transcripts, should be sent directly to the Graduate College. No letters of recommendation are necessary for this program.

Financial Assistance

There is no financial assistance [i.e., stipends, fellowships, or scholarships] available in this program for Athens campus students. If you qualify for financial aid, you must contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for assistance.

For further details:
Dr. Katherine Jellison, Coordinator
MSS Program
429 Bentley Hall Annex
740-593-0438
Ohio University
Athens OH 45701
e-mail: jellison@ohio.edu

Direct inquiries to:
Ms. Brenda Nelson, Administrative Assistant
e-mail: nelsonb1@ohio.edu