College of Social Science

The College of Social Science offers degree programs in its departments and schools, in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science major, and the Global and Area Studies-Social Science major.  A student should carefully study the catalog descriptions of these majors 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.

A student majoring in one of the schools is introduced to principles and techniques which are basic to the subject area and then learns to apply them in specified 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 is organized around five thematic concentrations. Students select one from the following: Community Governance and Advocacy, Health and Society, International Studies, Human Capital and Society, and Liberal Studies. The Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science: Social Science Education major is available for students seeking teacher certification.

The Global and Area Studies-Social Science major focuses on the study of global systems and processes as they are expressed in local places. Students study a world region concentration and a foreign language relevant to that region or a global theme that is important across world regions.

Majors in the college lead to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.  They provide a valuable background for those interested in a wide variety of careers, as well as for those intending to pursue advanced degrees in professional or graduate school.

In addition to undergraduate major programs, the college offers several specializations, which may be combined with the requirements of a student’s degree program.  Specializations are offered in: African American History and Culture (see Department of History), African Studies, Asian Pacific American Studies, Asian Studies, Canadian Studies, Chicano/Latino Studies, Gender and Global Change, International Development, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Peace and Justice Studies, Security Management (see School of Criminal Justice), and Spatial Information Processing (see Department of Geography).

Students in Social Science may also complete a Bioethics, Humanities, and Society Specialization (see the College of Human Medicine section of this catalog).

Students in Social Science may also complete an Environmental Studies Specialization (see the College of Natural Science section of this catalog), and numerous specializations offered by other colleges.

Freshmen and sophomores at Michigan State University are enrolled in the Undergraduate University Division 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 Area Studies-Social Science major.  Students who declare any Social Science major preference will be assigned an academic advisor in this College.

1. Completion of at least 56 credits acceptable to the college.
2. An academic record which at least meets the requirements of Academic Standing of Undergraduate Students.
3. Acceptance as a major in a program of the college. The number of students admitted to the Social Work program at the junior and senior level is limited.

Students will find it difficult to complete a degree program in two years after acceptance in the college as a junior unless a minimum of 60 credits, including some of the program requirements, are earned during the first two years.

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:

1. Courses applied to the university requirements in Integrative Studies and Mathematics may not also be counted toward the college graduation requirements.
2. Not more than 4 credits of independent study, internship, field experience, or practicum courses may be used to fulfill the college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
3. Unless otherwise noted, no courses offered by a student’s major department or school may be counted toward the college requirements.
4. Only credits in courses graded on the numerical or Pass-No Grade system may be counted toward college and major requirements, i.e. courses taken in satisfaction of college and major requirements may not be taken on a Credit-No Credit basis.
5. Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science: Social Science Education major are not required to complete the College of Social Science requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
6. Students in the History Education major are not required to complete the College of Social Science requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. 
7. Bachelor of Arts
   All candidates must meet the following requirements:
   1. SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT
      1. Complete the requirements of a major of no fewer than 30 credits with a minimum 2.0 grade-point average for courses in the major.
      2. Complete a minimum of 15 credits in the following departments, schools, and programs: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, History, Human Development and Family Studies, Labor and Industrial Relations, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Urban and Regional Planning. A maximum of 4 credits of Social Science 493 or 496 may apply.
         
         Students with majors in the department or school must meet this requirement with courses outside the major. Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies major must meet this requirement with courses outside the disciplinary cognate. A department or school may require its majors to complete specific courses to satisfy this college requirement. The courses in the College of Social Science that have been specifically designated by the Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee for the college requirement in Natural Science may be used to satisfy this requirement but may not be used to satisfy both the college requirement in Natural Science and this requirement.
   2. ARTS AND LETTERS REQUIREMENT
      Complete a minimum of 9 credits in the College of Arts and Letters. The following College of Education courses may also be counted toward this requirement:  Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education (CEP) 341 American Sign Language and the Deaf Community, CEP 441A American Sign Language I, CEP 441B American Sign Language II, CEP 442A American Sign Language III, and CEP 442B American Sign Language IV. A department or school may require its majors to complete specific courses or particular subject matter areas in the College of Arts and Letters to satisfy this college requirement.
   3. NATURAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT
      Complete a minimum of 6 credits in the College of Natural Science or in alternative courses selected from a list approved by the Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee. A department or school may require its majors to complete specific courses or particular subject matter areas in the College of Natural Science to satisfy this college requirement. Mathematics 1825, 100E, and 290 may not apply to this requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
   4. DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
      1. Complete a minimum of 30 credits in courses numbered at the 300 level and above. Courses offered by the student’s major department or school may be used to satisfy this requirement.
      2. A maximum of 12 credits of independent study may be applied to the degree.
      3. A maximum of 12 credits of internship, field experience, or practicum credits may be applied to the degree.
      4. The total of independent study, internship, field experience, and practicum credits applied to the degree may not exceed 20 credits.
8. Bachelor of Science
   All candidates must meet the following requirements:
   1. SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT
      1. Complete the requirements of a major of no fewer than 30 credits with a minimum 2.0 grade-point average for courses in the major.
      2. Complete a minimum of 9 credits in the following departments, schools, and programs: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, History, Human Development and Family Studies, Labor and Industrial Relations, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Urban and Regional Planning. A maximum of 4 credits of Social Science 493 or 496 may apply.
         
         Students with majors in the department or school must meet this requirement with courses outside the major. Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies major must meet this requirement with courses outside the disciplinary cognate. A department or school may require its majors to complete specific courses to satisfy this college requirement. The courses in the College of Social Science that have been specifically designated by the Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee for the college requirement in Natural Science may be used to satisfy this requirement but may not be used to satisfy both the college requirement in Natural Science and this requirement.
   2. ARTS AND LETTERS REQUIREMENT
      Complete a minimum of 6 credits in the College of Arts and Letters. The following College of Education courses may also be counted toward this requirement:  Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education (CEP) 341 American Sign Language and the Deaf Community, CEP 441A American Sign Language I, CEP 441B American Sign Language II, CEP 442A American Sign Language III, and CEP 442B American Sign Language IV. A department or school may require its majors to complete specific courses or particular subject matter areas in the College of Arts and Letters to satisfy this college requirement.
   3. NATURAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT
      Complete a minimum of 15 credits in relevant courses in science and mathematics as defined by the major unit offering the B.S. degree option. Mathematics 1825, 100E, 103, 103E, and 290 may not apply to this requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   4. DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
      1. Complete a minimum of 30 credits in courses numbered at the 300 level and above. Courses offered by the student’s major department or school may be used to satisfy this requirement.
      2. A maximum of 12 credits of independent study may be applied to the degree.
      3. A maximum of 12 credits of internship, field experience, or practicum credits may be applied to the degree.
      4. The total of independent study, internship, field experience, and practicum credits applied to the degree may not exceed 20 credits.

Students at Michigan State University may select programs of study which 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, Psychology, Sociology or the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science Health Studies major.  Declared premed majors 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 Specialization in African Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to Africa, who wish to pursue careers in international agencies in the United States and other countries, or who wish to work in Africa may find the specialization particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree.

The Specialization in African Studies provides a multidisciplinary educational experience for students who are interested in Africa.  The specialization is designed to help students to acquire a better understanding of diverse aspects of African environments, economies, politics, societies, and cultures.

The undergraduate advisor for African studies in the College of Social Science, located in Room 100 International Center, coordinates the specialization on behalf of the Dean.  That advisor assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by the advisor for African studies.

Requirements for the Specialization in African Studies¹

The student must complete the requirements for one of the three alternatives, A, B, or C.  Each alternative consists of specified numbers of credits from two or three of the four sections that are described below:  General Core Courses; African Language Courses; Thematic Concentrations; and Independent Study, Research, and Fieldwork.

A - BROAD ALTERNATIVE
A minimum of 21 credits to include:
    At least 9 credits from the General Core Courses section.
    At least 9 credits from the Thematic Concentrations section.
        These 9 credits must be from two of the thematic areas.
    At least 3 credits from the Independent Study, Research, and Fieldwork section.

B - LANGUAGE EMPHASIS ALTERNATIVE
A minimum of 20 credits to include:
    At least 9 credits from the General Core Courses section.
    At least 8 credits from the African Language Courses section.
        These 8 credits must be from courses in a single language, and study must extend over one full academic  year.
    At least 3 credits from either the Thematic Concentrations section or the Independent Study, Research, and Fieldwork section.

C - LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ALTERNATIVE:
A minimum of 25 credits to include:
    At least 9 credits from the General Core Courses section.
    At least 16 credits from the African Language Courses section.
        These 16 credits must be from courses in a single language, and study must extend over four semesters.

 
¹In certifying the completion of the requirements for the Specialization in African Studies, a given course shall be counted only once.
 
²Only one of the following courses may be used to satisfy the requirements for the Specialization in African Studies:  Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities 211A, 211C; Integrative Studies in Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 310, 330A, 330C. That course may also be used to satisfy University requirements.

³This course may be counted toward the requirements for the Specialization in African Studies only if the topic is specifically related to or focused on Africa and the undergraduate advisor for African studies has approved the counting of the related credits toward the requirements for the specialization.

⁴In addition to courses in Swahili and Arabic, courses in Hausa are currently being offered.

The Specialization in Asian Pacific American Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to the social sciences, ethnic studies, literature, media studies, or history may find this specialization appealing. Students interested in pursuing professional training in business administration and management, city and regional planning, counseling, education, law, library and information science, public health, and social welfare may also be interested.

The specialization is designed to focus on social and cultural history and contemporary issues relating to Asian Pacific Americans, a diverse group who come from varying class, ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds. The specialization incorporates an interdisciplinary approach to issues and populations in the United States and includes exposure to current research, case studies, and contact with local communities.

Students who are interested in this specialization must contact the coordinator for the Specialization in Asian Pacific American Studies. The student’s program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by the coordinator for Asian Pacific American Studies. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Certain courses in the specialization may require approval of the department or college that administers the course, and enrollment in a specific section as approved by the coordinator of the specialization. Some requirements may be fulfilled by other courses, if approved in advance by the coordinator of Asian Pacific American Studies. A list of approved courses is available from the coordinator.

Requirements for the Specialization in Asian Pacific American Studies

Students must complete (15 to 23 credits):

The Specialization in Asian Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to Asia or who wish to pursue careers in government or with corporations in Asia may find the specialization particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree. Courses taken in a Michigan State University Study Abroad program in Asia may be counted toward the specialization with the permission of the Director of the Asian Studies Center and the student's advisor.

The Specialization in Asian Studies provides an opportunity for students to create a multidisciplinary specialty with Asia as the  focus.  The undergraduate advisor for Asian Studies , located in Room 110 International Center,  assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by the advisor for Asian Studies.

Requirements for the Specialization in Asian Studies¹

¹With the approval of the undergraduate advisor for Asian Studies, courses other than those listed below may be counted toward the requirements for the Specialization in Asian Studies.

²This course may also be used to satisfy university requirements.

³In order for Chinese or Japanese language courses to be counted toward the requirements for the Specialization in Asian Studies, the student must complete two sequential courses in a language.  A maximum of 10 credits in Chinese or Japanese language courses may be used to satisfy the requirements for the General Emphasis.

⁴Allowable when taught with substantial Asian content.

The Specialization in Canadian Studies is designed for students who plan careers with an international orientation focused on inter-American relations involving Canada.  The specialization provides an opportunity for students to increase their understanding of:

1. the processes of social, economic, political, and cultural change in Canada and in Canada's international relations.
2. how the structure of the contemporary world system influences Canadian affairs.
3. how culture shapes the process of national development in one of the major world regions.

Multidisciplinary in theory and practice, the specialization is based on the methodologies, theories, and literatures of the social sciences and liberal arts.  It involves faculty from the social sciences, arts, languages, and applied professional fields.

The specialization is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  The specialization is administered by the College of Social Science.

With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree.

Students who elect the specialization are encouraged to study French or another language spoken by a significant minority in Canada.

The academic advisor for Canadian studies in the College of Social Science, located in Room 205 South Kedzie Hall, coordinates the specialization on behalf of the Dean.  That advisor assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by both the advisor for Canadian studies and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Science.

Requirements for the Specialization in Canadian Studies

The student must complete a minimum of 18 credits at the 200 level or above, distributed as follows:

The Specialization in Gender and Global Change, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science and/or Bachelor of Arts Degree programs in Global and Area Studies-Social Science. The specialization provides students with an opportunity to study gender relations in the contexts of global political, economic, environmental, and social changes. The specialization is designed for students who wish to increase their understanding of global transformations and their impact on women and gender relations internationally. Students will study diverse issues such as gender and health, human rights and justice, gender and environment, and feminist theory in an international context. This specialization complements students’ majors and current areas of interest and prepares them for graduate studies and employment. Students interested in enrolling in the specialization must have their specialization program of study approved by the Director of the Women and International Development program who serves as the specialization advisor.

Requirements for the Specialization in Gender and Global Change

A minimum of 18 credits is required for the specialization.

The Specialization in International Development, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  The specialization should be attractive to students who plan careers with an international orientation and who, therefore, wish to add a strong international dimension to their disciplinary majors.  With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree.

The Specialization in International Development is designed for students who wish to increase their understanding of the processes of continuity and change in various regions of the world, particularly Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.  The specialization provides an opportunity for students to learn how the structure of the contemporary world system influences international relations and national development, as well as how culture shapes the process of national development in one of the major world regions.  Multidisciplinary in theory and practice, the specialization is based on the methodologies, theories, and literatures of the social sciences and liberal arts and involves faculty from the social sciences, arts, languages, and applied professional fields.

The academic advisor for international development in the College of Social Science assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by the advisor for international development.

Requirements for the Specialization in International Development

The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Only one of the following four courses may be used to satisfy the requirements for the international development specialization:  Integrative Studies in Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 315, 330A, 330B, or 330C.  That course may also be used to satisfy University requirements.

The Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to Latin America and the Caribbean, or who wish to pursue careers in the Foreign Service or with corporations in those geographic areas, may find the specialization particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree.

The Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies provides an opportunity for students to create a multidisciplinary specialty with Latin America and the Caribbean as the focus.

The undergraduate advisor for Latin American and Caribbean studies in the College of Social Science, located in Room 300 International Center, assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by the undergraduate advisor for Latin American and Caribbean studies.

Requirements for the Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

The student must complete a total of 24 credits as specified below:

The Specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to the social sciences or who wish to pursue careers in education, social work, government or businesses that serve mixed ethnic communities may find the specialization particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department 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 bachelor's degree.

The Specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies is designed to help students to understand the multicultural dimensions of society; to gain a knowledge of Chicano/Latino scholarship and scholars; and to apply that knowledge to the study of Chicano/Latino communities and life.  The specialization draws on research, teaching, and community service among Chicano/Latinos that:

1. Focuses intensively on the histories of different racial and cultural sub–groups of Latinos.
2. Draws larger theoretical lessons from comparisons among these groups and between non–Latino populations.
3. Seeks to articulate general principles that shape racial and ethnic relations.
4. Explores how ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed over time.
5. Develops methodologies and principles which empower students to enhance leadership and human relations within diverse communities of peoples and conditions.

Students wishing to be advised should consult the Director of the Chicano/Latino specialization in 200 S. Kedzie Hall. The Director, in conjunction with the advisor, assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives.  The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by both the advisor for Chicano/Latino studies and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Science.

Requirements for the Specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies

The student must complete a total of 20 credits including:

The Specialization in Peace and Justice Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. The specialization is devoted to analyzing the causes and manifestations of violence, war, oppression, and injustice and to studying and working toward theoretical and practical alternatives, locally and globally, to create a more peaceful and just world. The specialization complements a wide range of majors and is especially suited for students who plan to include peace and justice issues in their study of law, in international service, or as a member of society.
With the approval of the department and the 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 bachelor’s degree.

The Specialization in Peace and Justice Studies includes course work, a capstone paper, and electives such as an internship, study abroad, service learning, and independent study. Students in this specialization will focus on the exploration of such interdisciplinary topics as environmental justice, representative democracy and globalism, morality and ethics, conflict resolution, human rights and humanitarian law.
The undergraduate advisor for the Peace and Justice specialization is located in the College of Social Science and will assist the student in planning a program of study tailored to the student’s interests, major, and career objectives.  The undergraduate advisor for the specialization must approve the student’s program of study in writing.

Requirements for the Specialization in Peace and Justice Studies

All courses must be approved by the undergraduate advisor for Peace and Justice Studies before enrollment.

1. The student must complete the following (15 credits):
   1. Core Course (3 credits). One 400-level course focusing on basic concepts and assumptions of peace and justice, contexts of violence and domination, alternatives to violence and domination, and peace and justice as a practice.
   2. Complete the following (12 credits):
      (1)    At least nine credits at the 300-400 level.
              (a)    at least three of these credits must be in a subject outside the student’s major.
      (2)    Two courses focusing on themes of violence and domination and/or justice and domination.
   3. Capstone Paper. This paper may derive from one of the courses completed for requirements 1.a. or 1.b. It is intended to synthesize themes the student examined in the specialization. A faculty member affiliated with the Specialization in Peace and Justice Studies must approve the paper and inform the undergraduate advisor for Peace and Justice Studies of its satisfactory completion.
2. Electives. (1 to 3 credits) An internship, study abroad course, service learning option or independent study. These may be counted toward requirement 1.b. above.

Units within the College of Social Science offer programs leading to degrees of Master of Arts, Master of International Planning Studies, Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources, 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: M.A. in Political Science and J.D., Ph.D. in Political Science and J.D., Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources 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:

1. Graduate Specialization in Animal Studies: Social Science and Humanities for all master’s and doctoral students at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization in the Department of Sociology section)
2. Interdepartmental Specialization in Applied Developmental Science, for master’s or doctoral students in anthropology, geography, political science, psychology, sociology, or a MSW program in the School of Social Work (see statement on this specialization, below)
3. Specialization in Infancy and Early Childhood, for master’s or doctoral students in the departments of Anthropology, Psychology or Sociology, or MSW students in the School of Social Work (see statement on this specialization, below)
4. Specialization in International Development, for all master’s or doctoral students at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization, below)
5. Interdepartmental Specialization in Cognitive Science, for master’s or doctoral students in Geography or Psychology (see statement on this specialization, below)
6. Graduate Specialization in Environmental Policy for master's or doctoral students enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization below)
7. Graduate Specialization in Environmental Science and Policy for doctoral students enrolled in doctoral degree programs in departments and programs emphasizing environmental science and policy (see statement on this specialization, below)
8. Specialization in Judicial Administration for all master’s students at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization in the School of Criminal Justice section)
9. Graduate Specialization in Global Urban Studies, for doctoral students enrolled in doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization below)
10. Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies, for graduate students enrolled in a graduate degree program at Michigan State University (see statement on this certificate below)

The College of Social Science is a co-sponsor of:

1. Interdepartmental Ph.D. program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior for doctoral students in Anthropology or Psychology (see statement on this doctoral program in the College of Natural Science section)
2. Specialization in Food Safety for master’s students in Sociology (see statement on this specialization in the College of Veterinary Medicine section)
3. Interdepartmental Ph.D. degree program in Neuroscience (see statement on this doctoral program in the College of Natural Science section)
4. Specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change, for master’s or doctoral students in the College of Social Science (see statement on this specialization in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section)
5. Interdisciplinary Graduate Specialization in Women and Gender, which is administered by the Women’s Studies Program, for master’s or doctoral students (see statement on this specialization in the College of Arts and Letters section)
6. Master of Arts degree program in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society (see statement on this master’s program in the College of Human Medicine section)
7. Graduate Specialization in Food and Agricultural Standards for master's and doctoral students enrolled in master's and doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University (see statement on this specialization, below)

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.

Academic Standards

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

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Chicano/Latino Studies prepares scholars, researchers, and teachers in the social sciences and humanities to develop expertise in the historical and contemporary experiences of Chicanos and Latinos 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 Chicano and Latino 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, Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, letters of recommendation, written statements, and other information such as professional experience and related achievements. Applicants without master’s degrees 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. 

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 Chicanos and Latinos in the United States will find this certificate program of interest.

Admission

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

1. Have a bachelor’s degree.
2. Be currently enrolled in a Michigan State University graduate degree program other than the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Chicano/Latino Studies.
3. Have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies

The interdepartmental graduate specializations in applied developmental science are available as electives to students who are enrolled in the master's and doctoral degree programs in the departments of Agricultural and Extension Education; Agricultural Economics; Anthropology; Audiology and Speech Sciences; Communication; Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education; Crop and Soil Sciences; Educational Administration; Family and Child Ecology; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Geography; History; Kinesiology; Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages; Marketing and Supply Chain Management; Political Science; Psychology; Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies; Sociology; Statistics and Probability; Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media; and Zoology; in the master's and doctoral degree programs in the School of Music; 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 program in the College of Human Medicine.

The College of Social Science administers the specializations.  The specializations are supervised by an interdisciplinary faculty coordinating committee representing the graduate programs involved.  Students must meet the requirements of both the degree program and the specialization.  Students should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure that meaningful experiences that are directly related to applied developmental science are included in their degree programs.  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 student's degree program. 

American society is faced with pervasive and burgeoning problems of individuals, families, and communities.  Issues of child and youth development, of economic competitiveness, of environmental quality, and of health and health care require creative research and the design, deployment, and evaluation of innovative public policies and intervention programs.  As a consequence, there has been increasing societal pressure for universities, and for the scholars within them, to design and deliver knowledge applications addressing these problems.

One of the most fruitful areas for such knowledge application involves examining the problems of individuals and communities across the life span.  These applications require the ability to understand and assist the development of individuals who vary with respect to cultural and ethnic background, economic and social opportunity, physical and cognitive abilities, and conditions of living.  Infants at biopsychosocial risk, gifted children or those with developmental disabilities, adolescents considering health–compromising behaviors, single– and dual–worker parents, the frail elderly, ethnic minorities, and impoverished families are just some of the populations requiring applications of knowledge based on the work of scholars in fields such as criminal justice, human nutrition, medicine, and psychology.  There is a need within those fields for scholars who adopt a development perspective to their science.

The five components of applied developmental science are described below:

Developmental systems theory deals with the continuities and discontinuities of development, i.e., with the process of change.  There is a temporal component to individual, family, institutional, and community experiences.  Some aspects of development remain stable over time; other aspects change.  Systems theory provides an approach to modeling stability and change, and to the identification of factors that causally influence organizational processes.  The temporality of change has important implications for research design, service provision, and program evaluation because it is dependent upon use of longitudinal methods and keyed by multivariate models of the developmental process.

Competence in diversity involves issues related to diversity, whether that diversity is generated by culture, gender, age, socioeconomic status, disability, race or ethnicity, or community.  All of those factors potentially affect individual differences among persons, families, communities, and neighborhoods and potentially contribute to program successes and failures.  Competence in diversity refers to a set of academic and interpersonal skills that allow individuals to increase their understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and similarities within, among, and between groups.

Contextualism involves the centrality of context in terms of individuals, families, and family functioning.  Context exists at all levels—biological, physical/ecological, social–cultural, political, economic, etc., and invites systemic approaches to research and program design and implementation.  Contextual variables such as poverty, family size, birth order, single parenthood, supplemental child care, parental psychopathology, unemployment, and workplace stress all help to set the context within which individuals, families, and social groups behave and develop.

Asset building emphasizes identification of assets so that the capacity to act is strengthened at the most basic level possible, whether that level is the individual person, or a local school, human service agency, neighborhood, or community.  Applied developmental science stresses normative developmental processes as primary prevention rather than remediation.  It rejects deficit model approaches to individual and social preventive–interventions.  Universities exist to disseminate knowledge through instruction.  From an applied developmental science perspective, asset building requires the learner (community) to be implicitly involved in the development of educational programs so that there is an explicit match between educational materials and needs of the consumer.

University–community partnerships stresses the principle that models for community intervention must be tested in the community setting in full collaboration with community partners.  In short, communities must participate as full partners in the design and evaluation of community programs.  From this perspective, application of knowledge generates new questions that demand generation of new knowledge (i.e., new approaches, new strategies, new program designs).  The activities of applied developmental science span a continuum of knowledge generation to knowledge application which includes, but is not limited to, research on the applicability of scientific theory to human growth and development in ecologically valid contexts; the study of developmental correlates of phenomena of social import; the construction and utilization of developmentally and contextually sensitive assessment instruments; the design and evaluation of developmental interventions and enhancement programs; and the dissemination of developmental knowledge to individuals, families, communities, practitioners, and policymakers through developmental education, written materials, the mass media, expert testimony, and community collaborations.

All of these five components converge to a research environment that values longitudinal designs by which one can track individuals over time, assess normative trends, evaluate different contextual influences on intraindividual change as well as normative trends, and assess the dynamic bi–directional processes that regulate organization of individual, dyadic, family, and social systems.

The interdepartmental graduate specializations in applied developmental science are designed to provide a knowledge base that will facilitate the work of graduates who pursue careers in educational, agency, institutional, and governmental organizations that are integral to preventive–intervention programs, longitudinal studies of human development, and developmental evaluation.  Specifically, the specializations are designed to:

1. Provide an opportunity for graduate students to obtain a comprehensive and contemporary academic experience in the field of applied developmental science.
2. Help graduate students with an interest in applied developmental science to become sensitive to their professional obligations and responsibilities.
3. Develop an intellectual environment that will foster the growth of research and teaching in the area of applied developmental science, as well as sensitize students to issues related to the rich diversity of human ethnic and racial populations, to social problems and social policy issues related to human development, and to the variety of contexts within which human development occurs.
4. Increase public awareness of the benefits of university–community partnerships to solve problems of social living and human development.

A student who is enrolled in one of the master's, Educational Specialist, doctoral, or graduate–professional degree programs referenced above and who wishes to complete the requirements for an Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Applied Developmental Science must petition the admission committee for the specialization for acceptance.  To be considered for acceptance into the specialization, the student should have completed the Graduate Record Examination including the Subject Test in the student's discipline.  To be accepted into the specialization, the student must have had academic preparation in experimental design and statistical analysis.  If in the judgment of the coordinating committee the student's academic preparation is inadequate, the student may be required to complete some courses in addition to the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization.

Although separate interdepartmental graduate specializations in applied developmental science have been developed for master's and doctoral students, a given student may receive certification of completion of either the specialization for master's students or the specialization for doctoral students, but not for both of the specializations.  If a student has completed some of the requirements for the specialization that is available to master's students, but is subsequently admitted to a doctoral program and plans to complete the requirements for the specialization that is available to doctoral students, the requirements that the student has completed may be counted toward the requirements for the specialization that is available to doctoral students.

The student and the major professor select a guidance committee that will oversee the student's program of study for the specialization. In the event that a guidance committee has responsibility for overseeing a student's master's degree program, that same guidance committee may also oversee the student's program of study for the specialization, provided that the membership of the committee has been expanded to include at least one additional person who is a member of the applied developmental science faculty and who will represent that faculty on the committee.  The same guidance committee that has responsibility for overseeing a student's Educational Specialist or doctoral degree program may also oversee the student's program of study for the specialization, provided that the membership of the committee has been expanded to include at least two additional persons who are members of the applied developmental science faculty and who will represent that faculty on the committee.  For those students who are enrolled in master's degree programs that do not require that a guidance committee be established to oversee the student's program; for students who are enrolled in the graduate–professional degree program in the College of Human Medicine; and for master's, Educational Specialist, and doctoral students for whom guidance committees will be established for the sole purpose of overseeing programs of study for the specializations, the coordinator for applied developmental science will be responsible for establishing the students' guidance committees.

Students who are pursuing interdepartmental graduate specializations in applied developmental science are strongly encouraged to participate in twice monthly seminars with members of the applied developmental science faculty and other students who are pursuing the specializations.  At those seminars, faculty and invited guests address issues related to design, methodology, statistical analysis of longitudinal data, evaluation, and techniques for building community–university research collaborations.

Requirements for the Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Applied Developmental Science

Master's Students

The student must:

1. Complete 18 credits of course work as specified below.
2. Complete a field research experience during at least one semester at an approved applied developmental science–community partnership site.  This requirement may be met by completing one or more courses that have been approved by the student's guidance committee or by completing an alternative experience approved by the coordinator for applied developmental science.

In addition to meeting the requirements referenced above, the thesis of a student on Plan A must reflect the integration of the student's discipline and applied developmental science.

Doctoral Students

The student must:

1. Complete 18 credits of course work as specified below.
2. Complete a field research experience during at least one semester at an approved applied developmental science–community partnership site.  This requirement may be met by completing one or more courses that have been approved by the student's guidance committee or by completing an alternative experience approved by the coordinator for applied developmental science.
3. Pass a written comprehensive examination in applied developmental science.
4. Complete a dissertation that reflects the integration of the student's discipline and applied developmental science.

Students who are enrolled in the Educational Specialist degree program in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education and students who are enrolled in the graduate–professional degree program in the College of Human Medicine must meet the requirements for the specialization that are specified for master's students on Plan B.

Required Core Courses

The courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for an Interdepartmental Graduate Specialization in Applied Developmental Science must be approved by the student's guidance committee for the specialization.  The courses should be selected within the context of the student's educational and career goals and with the goal of demonstrating competence in developmental systems theory, research methods, and quantitative and qualitative analytic methods.

GROUP A:  HUMAN DEVELOPMENT EMPHASIS
The courses listed below treat human development from a multidisciplinary perspective.  The student must complete a minimum of three courses totaling at least 9 credits.