The Master of Arts in Social Science is a flexible interdisciplinary program that allows students to tailor a program to their specific academic or career goals, drawing on curricula from departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Department of History, and other programs. While possibilities are varied, some examples include focusing on higher education administration, cultural and gender studies, and career development counseling.

Graduate Advising Requirement

Advising is mandatory each semester for all Social Science majors. Failure to seek advising is considered a violation of normal progress towards the degree and can be grounds for removal from the program.

Requirements for the MA in Social Science

Completion of all requirements as established by the Social Science graduate committee and Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved thematic program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:
   1. At least 18 units taken in the social sciences including coursework from at least two disciplines within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
   2. At least 18 units required for the degree at the 600 level.
   3. Completion, with a grade of B or higher, of the approved research methods course and the Graduate Writing Proficiency course. These courses must be taken at the 600 level.
   4. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
   5. Not more than three units of either SOSC 660 or SOSC 689, approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
   6. Not more than a combined total of seven units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699) or Master's Project (699); not more than six units of either Master's Thesis (699) or Master's Project (699), nor more than three units of Independent Study (697).
2. Completion and final approval of a culminating activity and successful completion of an oral defense. Students may choose a thesis or terminal project as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator. A Comprehensive Exam and formal presentation may be chosen in lieu of thesis and oral defense with approval of the Graduate Coordinator.
3. Approval by the Social Science Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Graduate Grading Requirements

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at California State University, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

For this program, grades lower than B- are unacceptable. Internship courses (689) will be graded Credit/No Credit only.

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements.

The Master of Arts in Social Science is designed for professionals having unique curricular needs within the behavioral and social sciences. It offers optimal flexibility in designing an individualized program specializing in an area related to behavioral and social sciences. The student can pursue a specific interdisciplinary theme, topic, or problem. The student is responsible for designing the course of study in conjunction with the graduate advisory committee and subject to the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. This requirement must be met by successful completion, with a B or higher, of a Graduate Coordinator-approved Graduate Literacy course.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
2. Approval by the department and Graduate Studies.
3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies. If the applicant's previous work is deficient in the social sciences, the applicant may be required to take some prerequisite courses as appropriate to the program of study.
4. Two letters of recommendation.
5. Submission of a statement of purpose for the program describing the applicant's background and career or academic goals, and preparation for Social Science graduate studies.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion of at least one of the following:
   1. A grade point average of 3.25 or higher in the last 60 units of coursework taken.
   2. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
   3. Completion of 12 units in the program with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average including the research methods course that requires a grade of B or higher.
   4. Development of an approved plan in consultation with the Social Science graduate coordinator, the graduate advisory committee, and Graduate Studies.

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. The student must have classified graduate standing and must have completed at least 18 units of the proposed program at the University.
2. Recent completion of a research methods course appropriate to the program of study (consult Graduate Coordinator) with a grade of B or higher.
3. Recent completion of a Graduate Writing Proficiency course as assigned/approved by the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Writing Proficiency course may be any one of various 600 level courses that require significant scientific writing in the field(s) of study and must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
4. Formation of the Graduate Advisory Committee, which must include two faculty from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and a minimum of two tenure/tenure track faculty in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
5. Development of an approved program plan in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, including a statement describing the student's interest in the special program being proposed, previous academic training, other relevant experience, and a description of the particular theme, topic, or problem the student proposes to study.

Definition of Blended Programs

A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.

Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.

Blended BA + MA in Social Science

Eligibility

The blended BA + MA in Social Science is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing a minimum of 60 units toward their bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5

Application Procedure

Application deadlines: April 1st for fall start, November 1 for spring start.

Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended BA + MA. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an admission fee.

The blended BA + MA in social science application requires

• Statement of purpose: This statement should address 1) the area of study on which you wish to specialize and why; 2) the disciplines within the social sciences that are relevant to your area of study; 3) the way in which the MA in social science will help you achieve your career goals and future plans; 4) any special preparation relevant to your proposed area of study; and 5) any specific skills and background not already mentioned that prepare you to pursue a master's degree.
• Email addresses of  two people who will provide letters of recommendation that speak to your ability for graduate school in social science.

Requirements for the Blended BA + MA in Social Science

The blended program allows the three courses below to be counted toward a bachelor’s degree and toward a master’s degree. This course sequence is offered within the Career and Life Planning (CLP) area of concentration (AoC) in the BA in Social Science and Minor in Career and Life Planning. Students who take these three courses earn the Facilitating Career Development Training Certificate. This certificate is required for professionals to pursue the NCDA's Global Career Development Facilitator and the Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) certification, which allows them to work in a variety of career development settings.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
SOSC 509	Principles and Techniques of Career Counseling and Guidance	3
SOSC 510	Testing and Measurements for Career Assessment and Guidance	3
SOSC 560	Seminar on Theory and Practice of Career and Life Planning	3
Total Units		9

Grading Requirement

Once admitted to the blended program, the student must maintain the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 during completion of all coursework to be counted toward the MA degree.

Eligibility for Change to MA Graduate Status

When the student has completed all BA degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all BA coursework, they can apply to transition to the MA program. At the conclusion of the semester that the BA degree has been completed, the student submits a request to the Graduate Coordinator to change to graduate status. A Master's degree program plan is then prepared and submitted to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies. The student will be changed to graduate status effective the following semester.