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Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice

Social Science, M.S.

DHS STEM Designated Degree Program

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice offers an M.S. in Social Science degree, proudly designated as a Department of Homeland Security STEM degree program. This outstanding graduate program provides a solid foundation in social science research methods. It emphasizes practical and theoretical knowledge in the areas of sociology, anthropology and criminal justice, and focuses on the acquisition of social science research skills, theory application and field experience. The program prepares students to conduct theoretically sound, empirically sophisticated research projects, as well as evaluation studies of organizational programs and policies.

You can complete your degree in only 30 hours (for non-thesis students) or 36 hours (for thesis students) of graduate credit in typically 3-4 semesters. The core curriculum includes qualitative and quantitative research methods, social theory, survey design and/or evaluation methods, and professional development. Students can tailor their studies to suit their career goals with the guidance of their individual committees.

  • Research Opportunities

    The M.S. in Social Science offers a strong grounding in research design, execution and analysis, with an emphasis on applying social theory and constructing, managing and analyzing data sets to solve real world problems. Students work closely with faculty on their research endeavors or the student’s own research, leading to opportunities for either employment or pursuing a PhD. Faculty members and graduate students often collaborate on research projects with colleagues from other departments.

  • 4+1 Accelerated Track

    The 4+1 in Social Science program at Clemson University is an accelerated track to a Master’s degree, allowing qualified students to get both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in five years without having to take the GRE. The 4+1 program is open to all Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice majors. To qualify for this program, you must have completed your bachelor’s curriculum through your junior year (at least 90 credit hours) with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.4. If you may be interested in our accelerated track option to an M.S. in Social Science, please fill out this Google Form and contact Natallia Sianko, Graduate Coordinator (mssocialscience@clemson.edu) to make an appointment. 

  • Student Experience

    We attract students from all over the United States and abroad, people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and national origins. Students come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, including anthropology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, business, communications, and journalism.

  • Student Outcomes

    Graduates of our program are highly marketable and have an excellent employment record. They have been hired by governmental, public and private organizations including the National Opinion Research Center, Nielsen Media, Arbitron, Research Triangle Institute, United Way, Society for Human Resource Management, American Institutes for Research, District of Columbia Public Schools and the U.S. Census Bureau. Graduates are data analysts, evaluation researchers, policy analysts, statisticians and management consultants. Graduates also have successfully pursued doctoral and professional studies at public and private universities.

  • Student Publications

    “Clear and Omnipresent Danger: Digital Age Culture Wars and Reactions to Drag Queen Story Hour across Diverse Subreddit Communities”
    The Southern Sociological Society
    Authors: Alyssa Davis and Heather Hensman Kettrey
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23294965211050019

    “Consent is F#@king Required”: Hashtag Feminism Surrounding Sexual Consent in a Culture of Postfeminist Contradictions
    Social Media + Society
    Authors: Heather Hensman Kettrey, Alyssa Davis, Jessica Liberman
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051211062915

    “Taking the Test: Participation in a Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam as an Indicator of Victim Cooperation with the Criminal Justice System and a Predictor of Suspect Arrest”
    Justice Quarterly
    Authors: Heather Hensman Kettrey, Alyssa Davis, Alyssa Seeman, Jessica Liberman
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07418825.2022.2058986

    “Trucking in the Era of Covid-19"
    American Behavioral Scientist
    Authors: Danielle Sperry, Amy M. Schuster, Shelia R. Cotten, Shubham Agrawal, Elizabeth Mack, Noah Britt, Jessica Liberman
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00027642211066039

    “Expandable to essential? Changing perceptions of gig workers on Twitter in the onset of COVID-19"
    Information, Communication, and Society
    Authors: Shubham Agrawal, Amy M. Schuster, Noah Britt, Jessica Liberman, Sheila R. Cotton
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2021.2020323

    “Hooking Up and Paring Off: Correlates of College Students’ Interest in Subsequent Hookups and Romantic Relationships With Other-Sex and Same-Sex Hookup Partners”
    The Journal of Sex Research
    Authors: Heather Hensman Kettrey, Aubrey Johnson
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2020.1766403

    “An Examination of Substance Use Disorder Type, Legal Status of Drug, and Treatment Outcomes”
    Substance Use & Misuse
    Authors: Bryan Lee Miller, Aubrey Johnson
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2021.1949608

    “Veterans’ Transition Out of the Military and Knowledge of Mental Health Disorders”
    Journal of Veteran Studies
    Authors: Savanna Taylor, Bryan Lee Miller, Meghnaa Tallapragada, Melissa Vogel
    https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.131

     

  • Applying

    The department seeks applicants who have a desire to develop their social science research skills which are highly valued in both commercial and academic settings. Prior coursework in research methods and statistics is encouraged, but not required. Applicants should apply for fall admission, but applications are accepted year-round.

    Applications should be submitted by the priority deadline of February 1st, however after this date applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

    Assistantships are competitive, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

  • Financial Aid

    As funds are available, the department offers graduate assistantships. Graduate assistants work 10 to 20 hours per week in the department. Highly qualified graduate students can compete for university fellowships. Assistantships and fellowships are highly prized and very competitive.

    Please see the tuition schedules as posted on the web pages of the Graduate School to receive the most current information about tuition and fees.

  • Graduate Faculty
    Name Title Phone/Email
    Britz, Marjie Professor 864-656-3238
    MBRITZ@clemson.edu
    Coggeshall, John Professor of Anthropology 656-3822
    RAUCUS@clemson.edu
    Costello, Matthew Assistant Professor 864-656-2026
    MJCOSTE@clemson.edu
    Cotten, Shelia Associate Vice President for Research Development 864-656-1299
    scotten@clemson.edu
    Haller, William Professor of Sociology 864-656-3814
    WHALLER@clemson.edu
    Hensman Kettrey, Heather Associate Professor 864-656-1107
    HKETTRE@clemson.edu
    Hester, Rhys Associate Professor 864-656-3816
    RHYSH@clemson.edu
    Hossfeld, Leslie Dean - College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences 864-656-7640
    LHOSSFE@clemson.edu
    Li, Miao Assistant Professor 864-656-3819
    MIAOL@clemson.edu
    Luo, Ye Professor 656-4209
    YEL@clemson.edu
    Maher, Thomas Assistant Professor (864) 656-4210
    tvmaher@clemson.edu
    Mannheimer, Andrew Senior Lecturer 864-656-3238
    AMANNHE@clemson.edu
    Markus, David Assistant Professor
    DMARKUS@clemson.edu
    McLean, Kyle Assistant Professor (864) 656-3238
    kdmclea@clemson.edu
    Miller, Bryan Lee Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies (864) 656-3818
    BLM2@clemson.edu
    Mobley, Catherine Professor of Sociology 864-656-3815
    CAMOBLE@clemson.edu
    Robinson, Kenneth Associate Professor (864) 656-1449
    KRBNSN@clemson.edu
    Roland, L. Kaifa Associate Professor, Director, Pan African Studies 864/656-3153
    lroland@clemson.edu
    Sianko, Natallia Associate Professor 864-656-0683
    NATALLS@clemson.edu
    Torres, Jose Assistant Professor 8646568638
    joset@clemson.edu
    Tremblay, Suzanna Lecturer
    setremb@clemson.edu
    Weisensee, Katherine Department Chair (864) 656-3238
    KWEISEN@clemson.edu
    Winslow, Sarah Dean, Clemson University Honors College
    SWINSLO@clemson.edu
    Wu, Yi Associate Professor of Anthropology (864) 656-3823
    YWU5@clemson.edu
  • Current Graduate Students

    Second Year Cohort

    Beinenson, Daria

    dbeinen@clemson.edu

    Imbody, Cadi

    cimbody@clemson.edu

    Lightsey, Mary

    mlights@clemson.edu

    Nishan, Noor

    nnishan@clemson.edu

    Rathi, Akanksha

    arathi@g.clemson.edu

    Jackson, Jahar

    rwartin@clemson.edu

    Reynolds, Noah

    nreyno3@clemson.edu

    Waddell, Claire

    cbwadde@g.clemson.edu

    First Year Cohort

    Asitibasi, Terence

    tasitib@clemson.edu

    Bailey, Alleyia

    alleyib@clemson.edu

    McJunkin, Abby

    lmcjunk@clemson.edu

    Smith, Brittney

    rwartin@clemson.edu

    Sedghi, Zara

    zsedghi@clemson.edu

    Shneibaum, Naomi

    nshneib@clemson.edu

    Wartinger, Rylie

    rwartin@clemson.edu

    Yang, Haifeng

    haifeny@clemson.edu

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does the program cost? 
    Estimated total fees for the 2023-2024 academic year without an assistantship including tuition, health fees, and student fees is $5,381 per semester for in-state individuals, and $10,411 for out-of-state individuals. Assistantships cover tuition for both out-of-state and in-state individuals and provides a paid stipend.

    Do I need to take the GRE and TOELF/IELETS exams? 
    For the 2023-2024 academic year, GRE scores are required. All foreign students are required to take the TOELF, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent). Any TOELF, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent) exam scores that are over two years old will not be accepted.

    What is Clemson’s institutional code for test scores? 
    For the GRE and the TOELF, Clemson’s institutional code is 5111. There is no department code required.

    What application materials are required?

    • Personal Statement- Submission of a 500-word essay on your career aspirations and goals as well as how completion of the master's Program in Social Science will assist in achieving these goals.
    • Letters of Recommendation- Submission of three letters of recommendation; One of these letters should come from faculty members of the applicant's previously attended college or University; If you graduated ten years ago or more, letters from employers may be submitted instead of letters from former faculty members
    • Submission of a Resume or CV
    • Exams - GRE scores are required for the 2023-2024 academic year. GRE general and all foreign students are required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE (or equivalent). IELTS (6.5 or higher)
    • Transcripts - An unofficial transcript showing proof of required degrees are acceptable for an offer of admission, and are required by the Grad School to accept an applicant.
    • Previous Degrees - You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University, or an equivalent degree from an institution outside the U.S. operating under the Bologna process whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University, to be admitted to the Graduate School.

    Is there a minimum GPA to qualify for admissions? 
    Yes, applicants should have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission.

    What is the deadline to apply? 
    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of February 1st. Applications submitted by this date will receive full consideration for assistantships and other funding.

    How long does it take to earn this degree? 
    You can complete your degree in only 30 hours (for non-thesis students) or 36 hours (for thesis students) of graduate credit in typically 3-4 semesters.

    What can I do with this degree? 
    Our M.S. in Social Science is a versatile degree that can lead to many different career opportunities. The skills learned are seen as valuable to employers, and graduates may find that they are offered specialized roles that would not have otherwise been offered to them.

    Can I enroll part-time or in the spring semesters? 
    Due to the curriculum of the program, it is suggested to enroll in the Fall semester, however, part-time enrollment is offered.

    Is full funding available? 
    Yes, through graduate assistantships as funds are available.

    What does the curriculum look like? 
    The core curriculum includes qualitative and quantitative research methods, social theory, survey design and/or evaluation methods, and professional development. Students selecting the thesis option complete and publicly defend a project representing a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the discipline, and students selecting the non-thesis option must pass a departmentally administered comprehensive examination. Students can tailor their studies to suit their career goals with the guidance of individual committees

    Why get an M.S. in Social Science at Clemson? 
    As one of the few broad social science programs available that have a strong focus on theory and research methods, we are able to prepare our students with not only the soft skills common to social science degrees but with strong skill sets in research and data analysis. By offering a more structured curriculum with more focus on these specific skills, we are able to prepare our students for careers in academia, industry, and the public and nonprofit sectors.

  • Contact

    Natallia Sianko
    Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
    Email: natalls@clemson.edu

    M.S. Social Science Program Email: mssocialscience@clemson.edu

    Connect with us on LinkedIn

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice
Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice | 132 Brackett Hall