Master of Science in Social Science

Concentrations in Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Change

The Intercultural Open University Foundation M.S. in social science embraces a wide range of learner interests and abilities. The role of the core faculty and external scholars is to address and nurture each learners individual approach to the field, that will result in a shared plan of studies and research development.

Learners will be provided a solid theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foundation in the social sciences. The skills can be used in clinical, research, and community settings. The entire program of study will be directed toward preparing learners to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

Program Objectives

The M.S. in social science is based on an extended relationship between the learner and their core faculty advisor as well as other faculty mentors along with the learners community of professional and personal colleagues. The graduate program will include a curriculum of a planned exploration of social science literature, a supervised internship, and a written thesis that demonstrates the application of theory and research to practice. Learners will work with their faculty advisor to develop a course of study directed toward fulfilling the learner's individual goals.

Core Faculty and External Scholars

The role of the core faculty and external scholars is to assist learners in keeping their professional and personal goals in sight. In addition faculty members in the various concentration areas act as mentors and advisors for specialty areas of expertise when learners have specific training needs based on their concentration. Faculty members are available to interact with learners through a wide range of means; including email, colloquiums, skype conferences, internships supervision, phone calls, and arranged meetings.

Philosophy of the IOU Foundation Core Faculty and External Scholars

The faculty at IOU Foundation is dedicated to adult based distance education that provides balanced and innovative graduate study that we feel is often not met by traditional approaches. The faculty works to create an open, challenging, flexible, and caring environment that makes the learner the focus of their educational process. We want students to engage in setting their own goals and defining their own purpose to their life's work. Since the faculty share a philosophy of social activism we encourage our learners to not to be afraid to explore new and alternative theories and ideas in the social sciences

The Colloquium

The colloquium is a meeting with the core faculty and external scholar advisors to begin to design a plan that addresses the learners unique interest as well as the professional requirements (i.e. internship requirements for the counseling psychology concentration) and the professional goals.
This is the time that the learner will work directly with the faculty team to fashion a firm understanding and direction to their program that will reflect their individual interest and goals. The colloquium is designed for the learner to develop a strong working relationship with the core faculty and external scholars.
Some of our learners that do their main work through an affiliate of IOU Foundation will need to meet the needs of their program requirements in addition to the requirements at headquarters, Our affilate institutions often require a series of workshops for the development and enhancement of skills.

Minimum/maximum program length

Intercultural Open University Foundation defines the minimum amount of time for you to complete and earn a M.S. degree as one academic year. The maximum amount of time allotted for you to earn a M.S. degree is three years.