The College of Social Sciences prides itself on the high quality of its graduate study programs. Each program highlights the strengths of its department or institute while contributing in a significant way to the academic community of its discipline. Listed below are brief summaries of the various graduate study programs the College offers. Contact the individual departments and institutes for further details.

School of Public Administration & Policy

Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The MPA degree program is designed for both pre-professional and mid-career students. Our MPA degree is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. It is a professional degree, designed to prepare students for either specialized or general administrative positions in government, consulting, and non-profit organizations. Considerable emphasis is placed on the development of analytical and communication skills in the program.

Askew School Ph.D. Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program is designed to offer the highest level of professional education in theory and methods. A research-oriented degree; it prepares persons for advanced teaching, research, and analysis positions in academic, governmental, consulting, and research organizations in the United States and abroad.

Department of Economics

Master's Degree (MS)
The MS degree program is designed so that it is a self-contained program in its own right that gives the successful student valuable skills as an applied economist. Graduates with such skills are in demand by both the public and private sectors. There are two ways to obtain the MS degree, either by completing the terminal MS program, which includes a thesis or an applied project, or by completing the first one and a half years of the Ph.D. program.

Doctor of Philosophy Program (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. program prepares the student for academic and other professional careers by training students to do advanced research in economics. Extensive training in the core areas of economics is essential to professional development. The Department regularly offers seven fields of specialization. These fields are: Applied Econometrics, Financial and Monetary Economics, Labor Economics, Industrial Organization and Regulation, International Economics and Development, Population Economics, and Public Economics. Other fields may be offered if sufficient interest exists.

Department of Geography

Master's of Science, Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option Master's of Science program is designed as a flexible course of study allowing the student, in consultation with their advisor, to develop a specialized program tailored to the student's interests and career goals. The program is designed so that students can complete the program within one calendar year. Students entering this program generally seek the M.S. as a terminal degree.

Master's of Science/Master's of Arts, Thesis Option
The thesis option Master's program is designed to provide for and certify a student's mastery of the discipline. This requires both breadth of geographic knowledge, acquired through a range of course work and depth of experience, achieved through original research culminating in a thesis. Master's students planning to pursue a doctoral degree should take the thesis option.

Doctor of Philosophy Program (Ph.D.)
A doctoral degree involves an advanced, research-oriented program requiring the individual to demonstrate professional expertise in the theory and applications of geographic knowledge and to make original contribution to that knowledge base. The Ph.D. degree in Geography at FSU consists of a coherent program of coursework, a written and oral preliminary examination, and the successful completion and defense of a dissertation.

Department of Political Science

Master's Degree with a major in Political Science
This Master's program is a general one, intending to develop a broad familiarity with the concepts, methods, and findings of political science. Students are encouraged to distribute their coursework over the various fields, while at the same time focusing their major effort on those areas that fit their career plans.

Master's Degree with a major in Applied American Politics & Policy
This Master's program is designed for students interested in training for careers in political and governmental organizations that relate to public policy and active politics. This is a 37-hour, non-thesis program, including 24 hours of coursework, a 12-hour internship or practicum, and a 1-hour program planning course.

Doctor of Philosophy Program (Ph.D.)
The doctoral program in the Department of Political Science is a four-year program designed to provide scholarly and professional training in the discipline of political science and a mastery of the methods of research. Students focus their studies on a major field and two minor fields chosen from among the Department's areas; or one of the minor fields can be in an area outside the Department.

Department of Sociology

Master's in Applied Social Research (MS)
This program leads to the Master of Science in Applied Social Research. It focuses on skills needed to conduct research in corporations, government, and non-profit organizations. The program can be completed in twelve months.

Master's in Sociology (MS)
The traditional Master's program in Sociology is designed as preparation for students who plan to take the doctoral degree. Masters students are encouraged to define for themselves the knowledge and skills they would like to acquire during their Master's degree work.

Doctor of Philosophy Program (Ph.D.)
The primary goal of graduate study in our department is to produce scholars with the breadth and depth essential to significant independent research. We emphasize preparation for research, teaching at universities and colleges, and positions in business and government.

Department of Urban & Regional Planning

Masters of Science in Planning (MSP)
The Master's of Science in Planning (MSP) degree is the professional degree of most planners in the United States. The principal aim of the MSP program is to train students for professional careers in planning, allowing them to function in both generalist and specialist roles.

Dual Degrees in Planning and Law (MSP/J.D.)
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the College of Law offer a dual degree program that allows students to qualify for both the Master of Science in Planning and Juris Doctor degrees in substantially less time than would be necessary to achieve each independently.

Dual Degrees in Planning and Public Administration (MSP/MPA)
The professions of planning and public administration are intertwined in numerous ways. Many positions in government can best be filled by persons who possess the knowledge and skills of both administrators and planners. Very few persons achieve professional competence in both fields. The dual degree program at Florida State is one of only a handful in the nation. It permits the mastery of core knowledge and skills in both areas in three years or less, instead of the four years or more that would otherwise be required.

FSU Peace Corps Master's International Program in Urban Planning
The rate of urbanization in today's world is much more rapid in developing than developed areas. The Master's International Program at FSU is designed to ensure a steady stream of volunteers for the planning of these rapidly growing urban areas. Courses cover the legal and institutional context in which planners operate, as well as specific strategies such as regional economic development, microenterprise development, housing and infrastructure, and capacity-building particularly among non-governmental organizations.

Doctor of Philosophy Program (Ph.D.)
The doctoral program in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning trains scholars to teach and conduct research in planning-related disciplines concerned with areas such as urban and regional systems, planned change, and the enhancement of the ability of society to deal effectively with the future. Graduates from the doctoral program are well prepared and have found excellent positions. Nine of the 17 students who have been awarded doctorates since 1990 hold teaching positions. Most of these are tenure track.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Demography (MS)
The Center for Demography and Population Health at Florida State University offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Demography. The program has been designed for students who wish to specialize in population studies and develop proficiency in the use of demographic concepts, data, and techniques. Emphasis is placed on the development of intellectual and analytical skills useful in a research setting.

Health Policy Research (MS)
The College offers an Interdisciplinary Master's degree in Health Policy Research. It is designed to create health policy researchers who have the skills that are in high demand in modern private and public sector health care. Graduates will possess the analytical skills needed to use electronic information systems to research, organize, evaluate, and manage information on health care issues in Florida and nationally.

Masters in Public Health (MPH)
More Information

Masters in Aging Studies (MS)
The program includes aging research, policy, program development, and program administration of direct services. The program is designed to develop an understanding of the complexity of aging issues and the effects of aging policy on the health and welfare of people of all ages in our society.

International Studies

Asian Studies (MA)
The graduate program in Asian Studies is an Interdepartmental program leading to the Master of Arts degree. The program is designed to give students a well-rounded understanding of Asia, particularly the culture of China, Japan, and India. Many students in the program pursue careers in government, business, international organizations, journalism, or teaching. Other students use the program as a stepping stone into more specialized doctoral programs, by developing a language and area competence prior to entering a Ph.D. program in one of the disciplines represented by the participating Asian Studies faculty.

Russian and East European Studies (MA)
The graduate program in Russian and East European Studies is an interdisciplinary program leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree. The approach is broad, interdisciplinary, multinational and comparative. The program is designed to give students a well-rounded understanding of Russian and Eastern Europe.

International Affairs (MS/MA)
The graduate program in International Affairs is an interdepartmental program leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS). Students may choose to concentrate on a wide variety of substantive interests, geographical areas, and disciplinary emphases.

International Affairs and College of Law Joint Degree Program
The Joint Degree Program with International Affairs and the College of Law allows a student to complete both the law degree and a concurrent Master's program in International Affairs.