Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The M. Ed. Program in Special Education explores important core knowledge in Special Education. The program's primary goal is to empower professionals as thoughtful educators who use best practices when assisting and empowering students with disabilities. Research and data-based decision-making are emphasized throughout the program. Graduate students will apply learned and evaluated research into practice in their courses, and learn to analyze multiple types of assessment data. The M.Ed. Program in Special Education consists of an initial required core of courses, a concentration area corresponding to the chosen emphasis area, and a capstone or exit course block.

When graduate students are accepted into the program, their transcripts may be reviewed, as necessary,  to identify compliance with state education certification guidelines. Students who wish to be certified in the education of children with cross-categorical disabilities will be required to fulfill general certification requirements, as well as graduate coursework. Upon completion of this advanced degree, professionals will have developed an in-depth knowledge-base related to

• Various learning contexts within and outside of the school setting
• The multiple influences on educational practices in schools
• The characteristics and instructional needs of learners with disabilities
• Assessment strategies for monitoring instruction
• Instructional best practices
• Using research to inform practice in the classroom
• Diversity awareness
• Contexts that affect student learning
• The powerful interactions between setting events and specific learner outcomes
• A life-perspective of students with exceptional learning needs, both young children who transition into kindergarten and those transitioning into adulthood.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies provides a flexible, individualized program of study for the self-directed learner. Individual students work closely with professional advisors and faculty from different academic disciplines to design their individual degree proposal. Approved programs of study are well-designed, coherent, structured to meet the student’s unique educational goals and not readily available under any other UMSL degree program. Interdisciplinary Studies students have designed individualized majors in areas as varied as art therapy, gender studies, gerontology, international studies, nonprofit administration and more.

High school Spanish teachers provide beginning, intermediate and advanced courses that cover speaking, listening and writing in Spanish. They also provide education in the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and may also teach Spanish literature.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Modern Foreign Language – Spanish, prepares students to teach in K-12 settings. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in Spanish and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

The BS in Secondary Education is designed to provide specialized knowledge, skills and training in a flexible format.  You’ll learn from highly qualified educators and researchers who hold terminal degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. 

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science through intensive study of several subfields within the discipline. The Department’s Master’s program is also designed to give students a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics. Students learn how institutional design, economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government. The M.A. degree in Political Science allows students to develop a deeper understanding of political ideas and institutions, more sophisticated research skills, a better grasp of governments abroad, and a broader knowledge of international politics.

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language, with an Emphasis in Dual Language meets the increasing demand for multilingual professionals. Students interested in pursuing intermediate studies in more than one language may combine the study of any two of the following languages: French, Japanese or Spanish. Coursework focuses on developing language proficiency, intercultural competency and professional skills. Students in the dual-language concentration also benefit from numerous study abroad opportunities to further refine their linguistic and cultural competencies.

The BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary program incorporating knowledge from criminology, social science, law, public administration and corrections, and provides an understanding of the assumptions, values and processes of the justice system. Core coursework includes theories of crime, criminal law, criminal justice policy and research/statistical methods in criminology and criminal justice. Students also select courses in policing, courts or corrections and more.

Credit may be allowed for individuals certified as law enforcement officers in Missouri and Illinois, as well as certified Federal law enforcement officers/agents who successfully completed police academy training. Consideration may be given to individuals certified as law enforcement officers/agents from other states.

The Bachelor’s degrees in Economics are available as both a BS, which is designated as a STEM program, and a BA. The BA in Economics is designed for students who want to think analytically and apply their knowledge to a broad range of topics such as property rights, environmental regulation, labor markets and government regulation, while the BS in Economics is designed for students who want to develop analytical and quantitative skills and apply that knowledge to a range of topics such as economic modeling, financial markets and market analysis.

A unique feature of our department is the opportunity to take a large number of courses in applied economics and data analysis, in addition to traditional economics coursework. Students work as research assistants, peer tutors and collaborate on projects.

The History M.A. program offers study in U.S. History, World History, History Education, Public History and Cultural Heritage, and Museum Studies. All students receive disciplined advanced work in preparation for doctoral programs or advanced training leading to teaching or other careers.  Students select one of two options for completing the Master of Arts degree: thesis or research papers.  The first path requires a substantial master's thesis; this path emphasizes depth of knowledge and research competence.  The second path requires several research papers.  This path emphasizes breadth of historical knowledge. Students should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies to be sure that they have properly selected their fields of study.
Learning Outcomes

• Conduct empirical historical research based on primary source evidence
• Compose publishable-quality scholarship that makes an original contribution to knowledge
• Evaluate recent scholarship within chosen subfield of study in the context of historiographical trends
• Synthesize historical research in interpretive formats, including written papers and essays
• Demonstrate facility for presenting historical argument orally and describing research and findings to an audience
• Distinguish between different methodological approaches to historical research, writing, and interpretation

The Psychological Sciences Department offers a master's (M.A.) degree with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience (BN). The BN program has adopted an apprenticeship model of graduate training in which each student works closely and continuously with a faculty member within the realm of the faculty member's research interests. In your personal statement, it is important that you indicate the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work. The research interests of the core faculty may be found on the Faculty page.

The MA in Economics is specifically designed for those seeking to work as professional economists. Students acquire knowledge and a versatile set of skills that are highly valued in the workplace. A unique feature of the program is the opportunity to take a large number of courses in applied economics and data analysis and to gain knowledge through individual and group projects.