Social Science, M.S.

The Bachelor-to-Graduate program at Clemson University offers an accelerated track to a master’s degree, allowing qualified students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years without taking the GRE. The Bachelor-to-Graduate program is open to all students with a social science background, including Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice majors. To qualify for this program, you must have completed your bachelor’s curriculum through your junior year (at least 90 credit hours) with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.4. If you are interested in the 4+1 M.S. in Social Science option, please email mssocialscience@clemson.edu expressing your interest or requesting more information.

The M.S. in Social Science program attracts a diverse group of students from across the United States and abroad. Students admitted to the program come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, including anthropology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, business, communications, journalism, and more.

The department seeks applicants who have a strong desire to develop their social science research skills, which are highly valued in both commercial and academic settings. Prior coursework in research methods and statistics is encouraged, but not required. Applicants should apply for fall admission; however, applications are accepted year-round.

The department offers graduate assistantships as funds are available. Graduate assistants work 10 to 20 hours per week in the department. Highly qualified graduate students can compete for university fellowships. Assistantships and fellowships are highly prized and very competitive.

Prospective students must submit applications by February 1st to be considered for an assistantship position. The applicant will not be considered for an assistantship position if their application is submitted after the February 1st deadline. However, applications submitted after the February 1st deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Graduates of our program are highly marketable and have an excellent employment record. They have been hired by governmental, public and private organizations including the National Opinion Research Center, Nielsen Media, Arbitron, Research Triangle Institute, United Way, Society for Human Resource Management, American Institutes for Research, District of Columbia Public Schools and the U.S. Census Bureau. Graduates are data analysts, evaluation researchers, policy analysts, statisticians and management consultants. Graduates have successfully pursued doctoral and professional studies at public and private universities.

See the Frequently Asked Questions tab for more information on the M.S. in Social Science program.

The M.S. in Social Science program offers a rigorous curriculum focused on research design, execution, and analysis, with an emphasis on applying social theory and constructing, managing and analyzing data sets to solve real-world problems. Students work alongside faculty in their research endeavors and conduct their own research, leading to opportunities for either employment or pursuing a Ph.D. Faculty members and graduate students often collaborate on research projects with colleagues from other departments.

How much does the program cost?
Estimated total fees for the 2024-2025 academic year without an assistantship and including tuition, health fees, and other student fees is $5,566 per semester for in-state individuals and $10,777 for out-of-state individuals. Graduate assistantships cover tuition for both out-of-state and in-state individuals and provide a paid stipend in addition to the waiver amount.

Do I need to take the GRE and TOEFL/IELETS exams?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, GRE scores are required. All international applicants are required to take the TOELF, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent). Any TOELF, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent) exam scores that are over two years old will not be accepted.

What is Clemson’s institutional code for test scores? 
For the GRE and the TOELF, Clemson’s institutional code is 5111. There is no department code required. 

What application materials are required?

• Personal Statement: Submission of a 500-word essay on your career aspirations and goals as well as how completion of the M.S. in Social Science program will assist in achieving these goals.
• Letters of Recommendation: Submission of three letters of recommendation; At least one of these letters should come from a faculty member at the applicant's previously attended college or University; If you graduated ten years ago or more, letters from employers may be submitted instead of letters from former faculty members.
• Submission of a Resume or CV
• Exams: GRE scores are required for the 2023-2024 academic year. GRE general and all foreign students are required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent). IELTS (6.5 or higher)
• Transcripts: An unofficial transcript showing proof of required degrees are acceptable for an offer of admission and are required by the Graduate School to accept an applicant.
• Previous Degrees: You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to Clemson University, or an equivalent degree from an institution outside the U.S. operating under the Bologna process whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University, to be admitted to the Graduate School.

Is there a minimum GPA to qualify for admissions? 
Yes, applicants should have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission. 

What is the deadline to apply? 
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of February 1^st. Applications submitted by this date will receive full consideration for assistantships and other funding.

How long does it take to earn this degree? 
The M.S. in Social Science degree can be completed in only 30 hours (for non-thesis students) or 36 hours (for thesis students) of graduate credit, which amounts to approximately 3-4 semesters.

What can I do with this degree?
The M.S. in Social Science is a versatile degree that prepares students for a variety of career opportunities. The skills learned throughout the duration of the program are highly valuable to employers, and graduates may find that they are offered specialized roles that would not have otherwise been offered to them.

Can I enroll part-time or in the spring semesters? 
Due to the curriculum of the program, it is suggested to enroll in the Fall semester, however, part-time enrollment is offered in some circumstances.

Is full funding available? 
Yes, through graduate assistantships as funds are available.

What does the curriculum look like?
The core curriculum includes qualitative and quantitative research methods, social theory, survey design and/or evaluation methods, and professional development. Students selecting the thesis option complete and publicly defend a project representing a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the discipline, and students selecting the non-thesis option participate in either an internship experience or teaching practicum. Students can tailor their studies to suit their career goals with the guidance of their individualized committee.

Why get an M.S. in Social Science at Clemson? 
As one of the few broad social science programs available with a strong focus on theory and research methods, we can prepare our students with the soft skills common to social science degrees and strong skill sets in research and data analysis. Through participation in a more structured curriculum focused on specific social science research skills, students are better prepared for careers in academia, industry, and the public and nonprofit sectors.

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“Consent is F#@king Required”: Hashtag Feminism Surrounding Sexual Consent in a Culture of Postfeminist Contradictions
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“Taking the Test: Participation in a Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam as an Indicator of Victim Cooperation with the Criminal Justice System and a Predictor of Suspect Arrest”
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07418825.2022.2058986

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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00027642211066039

“Expandable to essential? Changing perceptions of gig workers on Twitter in the onset of COVID-19"
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Authors: Shubham Agrawal, Amy M. Schuster, Noah Britt, Jessica Liberman, Sheila R. Cotton
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2021.2020323

“Hooking Up and Paring Off: Correlates of College Students’ Interest in Subsequent Hookups and Romantic Relationships With Other-Sex and Same-Sex Hookup Partners”
The Journal of Sex Research
Authors: Heather Hensman Kettrey, Aubrey Johnson
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2020.1766403

“An Examination of Substance Use Disorder Type, Legal Status of Drug, and Treatment Outcomes”
Substance Use & Misuse
Authors: Bryan Lee Miller, Aubrey Johnson
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2021.1949608

“Veterans’ Transition Out of the Military and Knowledge of Mental Health Disorders”
Journal of Veteran Studies
Authors: Savanna Taylor, Bryan Lee Miller, Meghnaa Tallapragada, Melissa Vogel
https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.131

Natallia Sianko
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Email: natalls@clemson.edu

M.S. Social Science Program Email: mssocialscience@clemson.edu

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