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Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
Emphasizes the integration of knowledge across and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students develop interdisciplinary perspectives in areas such as public policy, gender and identity, educational reform, cross-cultural studies, or politics. The program prepares students for advancement in business, education, social service, and government, or for further graduate or professional study.
Omar Swartz
Program Director • Coordinator, Law Studies Minor
Email:
Omar.Swartz@ucdenver.eduPhone:
303-315-3567If a student prefers flexibility in constructing an individualized course of study in the social sciences, the Master of Social Science emphasizes integration of knowledge across and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Courses derive primarily from the social science disciplines, like anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology, but may be integrated with other disciplines and programs including English, philosophy, education, health sciences, public affairs, fine arts, and architecture. Students who choose the Master of Social Science program often develop interdisciplinary perspectives in areas like public policy, gender and identity studies, educational reform, cross-cultural studies, or politics. The Social Science program provides background for advancement in business, education, social service, and government, or a basis for further graduate or professional study. MSS students often tailor their degree program for specific career and personal needs. Many simply seek intellectual enrichment.
Why the Master of Social Science program at CU Denver?
Individually Tailored
The degree plan offers students the opportunity to individually tailor their studies to meet their needs and interests.
Unique Plan
In consultation with a faculty advisor, students develop a unique plan of studies by combining fields, such as History, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Film, Women's and Gender Studies, Public Policy, American Studies, Fine Arts, Sociology, Literature, Anthropology, Communications, Political Science, and Economics.
Flexible Program
Our degree programs are designed for part-time or full time students whose professional and personal obligations require a program that is flexible.
Interdisciplinary Research
While most colleges and universities are organized around traditional disciplines, academic institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary research in an emerging global economy and culture.
Intriguing Research
By approaching knowledge and learning through an interdisciplinary model, students integrate and synthesize the methods, tools, theories and concepts of diverse disciplines to tackle questions and research from new angles.
Synthesis
Bringing together sometimes disparate and contrasting disciplines, new possibilities for dialog and interaction arise that can address the complex questions and issues that characterize the world today.
Program Description
If a student prefers flexibility in constructing an individualized course of study in the social sciences, the Master of Social Science emphasizes integration of knowledge across and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Courses derive primarily from the social science disciplines, like anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology, but may be integrated with other disciplines and programs including English, philosophy, education, health sciences, public affairs, fine arts, and architecture. Students who choose the Master of Social Science program often develop interdisciplinary perspectives in areas like public policy, gender and identity studies, educational reform, cross-cultural studies, or politics. The Social Science program provides background for advancement in business, education, social service, and government, or a basis for further graduate or professional study. MSS students often tailor their degree program for specific career and personal needs. Many simply seek intellectual enrichment.
Why the Master of Social Science program at CU Denver?
Individually Tailored
The degree plan offers students the opportunity to individually tailor their studies to meet their needs and interests.
Unique Plan
In consultation with a faculty advisor, students develop a unique plan of studies by combining fields, such as History, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Film, Women's and Gender Studies, Public Policy, American Studies, Fine Arts, Sociology, Literature, Anthropology, Communications, Political Science, and Economics.
Flexible Program
Our degree programs are designed for part-time or full time students whose professional and personal obligations require a program that is flexible.
Interdisciplinary Research
While most colleges and universities are organized around traditional disciplines, academic institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary research in an emerging global economy and culture.
Intriguing Research
By approaching knowledge and learning through an interdisciplinary model, students integrate and synthesize the methods, tools, theories and concepts of diverse disciplines to tackle questions and research from new angles.
Synthesis
Bringing together sometimes disparate and contrasting disciplines, new possibilities for dialog and interaction arise that can address the complex questions and issues that characterize the world today.
Student Testimonials
One of the things I love most about this program is that it is interdisciplinary. I work closely with all three of the program's approachable and supportive faculty members to choose my classes in from various disciplines in order to better tailor my degree to my academic and professional interests/goals. I am specifically studying how disability justice and feminist intersectional theoretical frameworks can inform the transformation of spaces to be more inclusive. This degree is useful to me professionally as I plan to continue to work in the education field, specifically in supporting students after I graduate. I chose this program because of the flexibility and faculty to student ratio. Each class I have taken has felt like a community and I have forged lifelong friendships with fellow students who share my passions as well as future professional contacts. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants flexibility in their learning as there are nine formal tracks offered such as social justice, community health science, philosophy and many more that can be tailored to fit most professional and academic goals. I have found this program to be enriching, academically challenging, and personally rewarding.
Erica Zwahlen