As we begin the 21st century, the School of Social Sciences is strategically positioned to offer leadership in addressing society�s most pressing concerns. Our mission is simple: develop scholars and practitioners who love to learn, individuals who can integrate knowledge and analyze sophisticated problems, and who are committed to advancing the search for truth and justice. Our domain is broad: risk management, economic performance, terrorism, voter behavior, health care, democratization, social inequality, international trade, and conflict resolution only hint at the wide variety of specific topics that must be addressed by informed social scientists. Our approach is comprehensive: strong disciplinary foundations, a dynamic interdisciplinary environment, and a striving to achieve a synthesis of theory-based knowledge and practical experience through internships, workshops, and seminars.
The School of Social Sciences awards master�s degrees in Applied Economics, Applied Sociology, Geographic Information Sciences, Public Affairs, and Ph.D.s in Economics, Political Science, Public Affairs, and Public Policy and Political Economy. Each degree program offers a rigorous foundation with enough flexibility to specialize and earn additional certification in crime and justice analysis, economic and demographic data analysis, evaluation research, financial economics, geographic information systems, and non-profit management. These certificate programs are available to degree-seeking as well as non-degree students seeking highly focused curricula that can benefit their professional development. We invite you to explore our programs, scrutinize our faculty, examine our resources, and, then, to join us as we prepare to face our future.