Masters in Social Science Online

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One of the hardest decisions to make while selecting a master’s program is determining which program to pursue, which school to attend, and which university to enroll in. Cost, placements, starting pay, employment rates, acceptance rates, and other aspects should also be considered. There is no such thing as the best online master’s in social science programs since there are no such absolutes as the finest or best programs; instead, it all relies on what qualities a student decides are most important and how they choose a school. These elements may include travel time, annual fees, or even an appealing asynchronous program for the student. 

To create a rating of the best online master’s in social science degree programs, we at OMC studied all these matrices and came up with the list below: 

Link to This

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Social science investigates everything from the drivers of economic growth and unemployment to what makes people happy to better understand how society functions. This knowledge is essential and useful in a variety of ways. It influences corporate plans and governmental policies, among other things. 

The study of social science is distinct from the natural sciences, including subjects like physics, biology, and chemistry. Instead of focusing on the physical world, social science studies how people and communities interact as well as how societies grow and function. These academic fields rely more on qualitative research techniques and interpretation. 

There are seven social sciences, according to some, while others assert there are four, five, six, or something else altogether. Although there are differing views on what should be included, most experts concur that the following five fields categorically come within this category: 

• Anthropology
• Economics 
• Political science 
• Sociology 
• Social psychology 

Masters in Social Science Degree Types

Generally, a master’s in social science online would typically have a MA social science online or an MS social science online option. MA programs usually take a historical approach to study, what has happened in the discipline in the past, and how it was connected to the area of study. In contrast, the MS programs take a more technical approach to study, learning from the past and experimenting, and seeing to predict the future concerning what has happened in the past. 

Depending on the amount of time and credits needed to complete the degree, programs for a master’s in social sciences may vary substantially. They typically last between one and two years and have between 30 and 45 credits. Students in these degrees must research a variety of social issues, movements, and developments in addition to various settings and group dynamics. 

Certain institutions might also demand a GRE, work experience, and employer recommendations in addition to the fundamental requirements. If you wish to learn more, OMC has resources exclusively on the GRE and GMAT exams. 

For entrance to graduate schools, including the master of social science degree, a GRE score is frequently needed. However, nowadays, most colleges no longer require GRE scores for admission to their online graduate programs. Most graduate students today are working professionals who are enrolled in full-time jobs and do not have the time to study for the GRE, so their undergraduate GPA and work experience serve as the primary grading criteria for graduate admission, according to many schools explaining this shift. Because there are no restrictions on who can enroll in online courses, universities have also become much more friendly to students interested in pursuing higher education. Below we list a few such programs: 

• Georgia Southern University, Master of Arts in Social Science  
• Troy University, Master of Social Science  
• Biola University, M.A. in Intercultural Studies 

For full-time, highly motivated students, enrolling in an accelerated master’s program in social science may be helpful. As one can expect, these accelerated programs are very rigorous and move quickly. It makes it possible for top students to obtain graduate credits while still pursuing undergraduate studies. Students should complete their research before applying because these programs are not suitable for everyone. But the obvious benefits of these programs are that students can complete their master’s programs in less time, which would call for lower tuition fees. George Mason University’s Accelerated MA in Anthropology is one such program. 

We could frequently take education so seriously that we forget that some of the best courses are provided without charge by prestigious universities. Many organizations use internet platforms to deliver free education to reach the largest audience feasible. Some of these free master’s in social science online courses are reviewed below: 

It is crucial to think carefully about how one will pay for one’s online master’s in social science tuition, especially considering the current situation of student debt, the cost of tuition, and the typical amount of debt owed by each student. Scholarships are the cleverest way to pay for college. For more information, students can visit this page for scholarships. 

If a candidate does not match the criteria for a scholarship, they may ask their employers if they will be reimbursed for their tuition if they are a working professional. The alternate means of financing one’s online master’s degree in biological sciences is to apply for a student loan. Additionally, students can find out if they qualify for federal student aid. The FAFSA application can be found here.

Scholarships are grants given to students for their education based on their academic standing or other criteria, which may also consider their financial circumstances. Merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships are the two most popular types of scholarships. 

Students interested in applying for online master’s programs in social science should carefully consider applying for scholarships. These prizes are based on merit, and the appropriate committees evaluate and select the winners. If they are qualified, students may submit several grant applications, but they can only receive one scholarship. 

A few scholarships for an online master’s in social science are listed below: 

Aurelia Haehn Memorial Scholarship 

This scholarship was established by Dr. James O. Haehn in memory of his mother, Aurelia Haehn. Mrs. Haehn strongly believed in the value of education and the benefits of hard work.

Award/Amount 

 Varies 

Application Deadline 

Varies 

J.W. Saxe Memorial Scholarship 

The J.W. Saxe Memorial Scholarship is an annual grant given to one or more college or university students engaged in public service. Preference is given to those undergoing an internship or working on a project in public service. With the help of the grant, students can work an unpaid or low-paying internship or job during the summer or another term to obtain experience in the public sector. 

Award/Amount 

$2,000 each year

Application Deadline 

Varies 

Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) Graduate Fellowships 

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) awards graduate fellowships to outstanding students pursuing advanced study in social sciences or the humanities. The foremost requirement to be eligible is that students should show an intent to teach at the college level. 

Award/Amount 

$5,000 to $15,000 each 

Application Deadline 

Closed for 2023-2023 | TBA for 2023-2024 

Numerous work opportunities open after earning an online masters in social science. Starting as risk analysts, educators, GIS specialists, and museum curators to senior positions like economic advisers, political strategy directors, professors, or department chairs of academic institutions. Below, we discuss a handful of these jobs: 

Though some trades of the branch of social sciences do not have state or federal licensing requirements, some branches of social science like psychology require a state license to practice the craft. One can read all about it here. 

Most other social science branches do not require mandatory state or federal regulatory licensing. Although social science graduates are not subject to compliance licensing requirements per se, it is generally advisable for newcomers to the business to receive certifications from respected professional organizations in their field of study. Even if there are no state or federal certification or licensing requirements to practice the profession of social sciences, this will assist them in connecting with established players and finding higher acceptability in the sector. Here we discuss a few courses: 

1. COVID-19 Contact Tracing: – The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across the country, requiring thousands of people to learn key skills quickly. The job qualifications for contact tracing positions differ throughout the country and the world, with some new posts open to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent.  
2. Financial Markets: – An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise, emphasizing financially-savvy leadership skills, description of practices today, and analysis of prospects for the future. One is introduced to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. The goal of this course is to use such industries effectively and towards a better society. 

It would be sensible to join a professional organization focused on one’s field of study after receiving an online master’s in the social science of one’s choice. It instantly connects students with their professional peers and keeps them informed of the most recent developments in the business. Professional organizations help professionals advance in their fields of study and serve as evidence of the legitimacy of their skills. Below we discuss a few such organizations: 

1. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology – The “science, practice, and teaching” of industrial and organizational psychology are promoted by the professional organization known as the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Division 14 of the American Psychological Association is another name for SIOP. 
2. American Psychological Association – The American Psychological Association, which has over 133,000 members and includes researchers, teachers, clinicians, consultants, and students, is the largest scientific and professional association of psychologists in the country. 
3. American Social Science Association – Society for the study of social issues was established in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1865 and given the name American Social Science Association. The group expanded until roughly 1,000 people were a part of it. There were about 30 corresponding members in Europe. The International Journal of Social Sciences World (TIJOSSW) and the Journal of Social Science were published yearly by it. 
4. National Social Science Association (NSSA) – A national interdisciplinary organization that has been around for 50 years is the National Social Science Association (NSSA). The organization began as a collection of regional associations for two- and four-year social scientists. It later developed into a national organization with thousands of members in the US and abroad who take part in the association’s conferences, seminars, and publications. The association stands out because it is a nonprofit organization with mutual benefits that exclusively serves its members and facilitates sharing of research, educational, and technological materials through its conferences, seminars, and publications.