MA Social Science at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

The M.A. in Social Science is a School of Social Sciences master's degree with two concentrations: Demographic and Social Analysis, and Medicine, Science and Technology Studies (MSTS). The Demographic and Social Analysis concentration trains students in research skills for practical problems facing society, business, government and the nonprofit sector, emphasising the Pacific Rim and Southern California population issues. The MSTS concentration, administered by the Department of Anthropology, is a terminal M.A. in medical anthropology and science and technology studies.

Faculty: School of Social Sciences | Duration: 36 units (MSTS concentration: one year) | Intake: Fall quarter (Demographic and Social Analysis concentration) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Irvine, CA, United States

What you will study

Demographic and Social Analysis requires 36 units: 20 units of required courses (research design, demographic methods, populations and two statistics courses) plus 16 units of electives in population issues or research methods, and an oral exit examination. MSTS consists of nine courses (36 units) including the ANTHRO 204A Proseminar and eight electives, plus a comprehensive examination.

Career pathways

MSTS graduates prepare for employment in academia, public health, technology industries and the nonprofit sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Demographic and Social Analysis concentration: B.A. or B.S., normally in a social science or related field, with at least four units of undergraduate statistics or equivalent mathematics; official transcripts of all college coursework; GRE scores from tests taken within the past five years; three letters of recommendation; applicants whose first language is not English need TOEFL iBT 80 or more, or IELTS overall 7 with no module below 6. Admission to the terminal MSTS concentration is currently closed.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition (resident rate) from the standard Graduate/Credential Student Fees schedule for state-supported graduate degree programmes; the page does not list programmes by name, so this is the standard graduate band. Tuition line only; excludes Stud Source

Graduate applications are submitted online through the UCI graduate application portal; the non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and lawful U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all other applicants. Deadlines are set by each programme. GRE is required by some programmes only; TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency is required of graduate applicants unless waived.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/

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