Social Science MSS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

► Graduate School Rules apply to this program

Requirements for Admission

General rules for admission into the Graduate School , as well as the following apply:

evidence of a bachelor’s degree
an official copy of transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities attended
overall GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0
a writing sample
three letters of recommendation (at least two from academic sources)
appropriate undergraduate training or professional background, or experience that provide evidence of ability to pursue the MSS degree
a typed statement specifying the goal of advanced study in the social sciences expressed in clear, correct and effective English. Applicants should provide a statement of their background (education and experience) and its relevance to their proposed interdisciplinary graduate work, and why this graduate program is relevant to their interests.
standardized test scores are not required, but will be considered if submitted

After meeting all other requirements for admission, applicants may be required to have an interview to discuss their interest in the program and their plans for study. For out-of-state applicants, an appropriate substitute for the interview may be determined by the directors.

Provisional Admission:

Applicants may be admitted as provisional-status graduate students if their GPA is low and their complete record indicates a high probability of success.

Non-degree Students:

Potential applicants may take CU Denver graduate-level courses as non-degree students (unclassified student with a bachelor’s degree) if they:

wish to strengthen their record in order to demonstrate their potential to successfully complete courses in the program
-or-
wish to start coursework in the program prior to completing their application, with the understanding that taking courses does not guarantee admission.

Up to 12 semester hours of CU Denver graduate-level work taken as a non-degree student or taken from another university may be accepted by the program once a student has been admitted to the program. For further information on non-degree graduate student status, see the Information for Graduate Students section of this catalog. In the case of CU Denver graduate students transferring to the MSS program, previous coursework may be accepted as appropriate to the MSS plan of study.

International Students:

International students must also meet CU Denver requirements for international admission. See the Information for International Students section of this catalog or call 303-315-2230 for further information.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Social Science (MSS) is a 36 credit hour program, of which 30 hours must meet all specifications of the Graduate School . Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in all major courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 3.0. A grade below B- in any given course will not be counted toward the degree. All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the major GPA. Courses credited toward the MSS degree must typically be taken at CU Denver (a maximum of 12 graduate semester hours may be transferred from other institutions after matriculating into the MSS program, subject to the MSS director’s approval). Students wishing to pursue study abroad options must seek advisor approval in advance.

Students may pursue a general MSS degree or concentrate their studies and coursework on an approved track.

Each student’s program is supervised by MHMSS faculty. All independent study, project, and thesis contracts must be approved in advance by the program director. A total of two independent study courses and one internship may count toward the degree. Only one graduate-level online course (up to 3 hours) may be taken toward the degree, with prior approval. A maximum of two 4000-level undergraduate courses may apply, with faculty approval. Remaining coursework must be 5000-level or higher and must be completed with CU Denver faculty or approved study away programs. All students must complete and pass a final project or thesis and an oral comprehensive defense of that work, in order to graduate.

Three Required Core Seminar Courses

Take all of the following courses:

SSCI 5020 - Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Social Science
Must be taken during the first year, offered in the fall only.
SSCI 5013 - Methods and Practices of Graduate Interdisciplinary Humanities
Must be taken during the first year, offered in the spring only.
SSCI 5023 - Research Perspectives in Social Science
Students should take this course after they have completed 21-24 credit hours and are ready to write a proposal for their thesis or project. This course is always offered in the spring and occasionally in the fall, as needed.

Total: 9 Credit Hours

Electives

Students must complete a total of 21-24 credit hours. Students completing a project rather than a thesis take 24 hours of electives, while thesis students complete 21 hours of electives. Students may choose to create their own curriculum from at least two disciplines addressing their specific research interest. Alternatively, students may choose to follow an approved specialized track. Prior to taking electives, students must meet with a MHMSS program faculty advisor and establish their course of study. If students decide to change their course of study or want to substitute approved coursework, they must meet with a MHMSS program advisor in advance and gain pre-approval.

Study Abroad: Students wishing to count credits accrued from a study abroad program while pursuing the MSS must follow the rules of the Graduate School and must have approval of the program director in advance of studying abroad.

Total: 21-24 Credit Hours

Thesis or Project

In order to proceed with a project or thesis, all students must submit a proposal and gain approval from three faculty members and the program directors.

Total: 3 or 6 Credit Hours

Oral Exam

An oral exam defending the project or thesis before a committee of three faculty members must be passed in order to graduate.

Degree Total: 33-36 Credit Hours

MSS Elective Pathways:

General MSS Track

Students pursuing the general MSS degree track create a course of study based on their individual interests and goals. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students choose two or three academic disciplines as areas of concentration. Students who opt to complete a thesis will submit a thesis proposal after completing 30 hours of course work. In the case of a project, students will submit a project proposal after 33 hours.

Specialized MSS Tracks

Students may also focus in one of the tracks in the Master of Social Science program: Community Health, Ethnic Studies, International Studies, Social Justice, Society and the Environment, or Women and Gender Studies. Tracks allow students to concentrate their studies in a defined field designed by faculty. Students who opt to complete a thesis will submit a thesis proposal after completing 30 hours of course work. In the case of a project, students will submit a project proposal after 33 hours.

Community Health Track

The Community Health track focuses coursework on social and communication theory, demographics and ethnic dimensions to public health, basic research methods, and statistics, in order to facilitate development of problem solving and critical thinking skills in the areas of epidemiology, public health and public health education, and health planning.