Graduate Studies at the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

The University of the Philippines (UP) has offered a program leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree since 1911, and various graduate degree programs were instituted after that date. However, it was not until 1959 that a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences was established in the University, thus placing under a single administration all the existing
graduate programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. The Graduate Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) served as the faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which was headed by its own dean.

In 1983, however, CAS was reorganized into three separate and autonomous colleges: the College of Arts and Letters the College of Science, and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP)m through Administrative Order No. 170 signed by the UP Board of Regents on 06 October 1983. Accordingly, administrative control of the various graduate degree programs fell under the respective deans of the three colleges. Thus, the Dean of CSSP now administers all the graduate degree programs of the College, assisted by the Coordinator of the Office of the Graduate Program (OGP).

DISCIPLINAL PROGRAMS
Master’s Degree Programs
The master’s degree programs offered by the departments/institute are as follows:

M.A. Anthropology
The Master of Arts in Anthropology program gives a basic grounding in the ‘four fields’ of anthropology (biological anthropology, world archaeology, world ethnography, and linguistic anthropology), in anthropological theory, research design and methods, and in a chosen area of specialization, ultimately enabling the student to conduct original and independent research.

M.A. Demography
The Master of Arts in Demography program aims to train practitioners of demography who are able to conduct independent high quality research, teach demography courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels, conduct short-term demographic training programs, and engage in population formulation and evaluation.

M.A. Geography
The Master of Science in Geography program aims to train graduate students to apply geographic concepts, theories, and approaches in a holistic and integrative way in addressing contemporary issues and problems at local, national, and global scales. It employs a critical approach toward the spatial understandings of space, place, and landscape, as well as equips students with the fundamental, conceptual, and practical tools needed for developing ethical and innovative research and/or service-learning engagement.

M.A. History
The Master of Arts in History program aims to provide advanced training for scholars who seek to specialize in Philippine history. Emphasis is placed on research based on primary sources and the use of current historical methodologies.

M.A. Linguistics
The Master of Arts in Linguistics program to equip students with advanced knowledge of contemporary linguistic theories and methodologies that may be applied in conducting critical analyses of language structures, language use in society, and variation. The program also strongly promotes documentation and description of Philippine languages and dialects, as well as studies on their historical development.

M.A. Philosophy
The Master of Arts in Philosophy program provides an extensive foundation in various areas of philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the analytic and critical traditions. It offers opportunities for practical application and further investigation within these philosophical frameworks.

M.A. Political Science
The Master of Arts in Political Science program is aimed at individuals who wish to embark on advanced studies and are thinking of establishing a career in the field of academic research in politics. It is designed for students who already have a basic understanding and/or appreciation for teaching and research in the social sciences.

M.A. Psychology
The Master of Arts in Psychology program provides advanced training in psychology to enable graduates to contribute meaningfully to Philippine society as scientists, practitioners, and advocates. The program prepares students to become skilled and ethical psychologists and to take on further specialized training in the doctoral program. Students may choose from the following tracks: General Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Clinical Psychology.

M.A. Sociology
The Master of Arts in Sociology program deepens the student’s engagement with the discipline through high level discussion in graduate-level seminar courses in theory, research methods, and electives of choice. The M.A. Program culminates in the successful defense of the master’s thesis, which demonstrates the student’s capability for independent research. Graduates of the MA program are expected to take on leading roles in teaching and research.

Master in International Affairs
The Master in International Affairs program provides students with an understanding of contemporary international society, including the forces shaping and transforming it. Through the program, students can better understand contemporary international issues and problems, as well as the various strategies for responding to them. The program is practitioner-oriented and aims to provide professional preparation for those who plan to pursue careers in foreign service, international organizations, transnational corporations, or similar industries that require an International Relations background.

Master in Population Studies
The Master in Population Studies is a non-thesis program that aims to meet the need for population practitioners with a strong grounding in the theory and methods of demography and the ability to critically analyze the interrelationship between population factors and development in its various ramifications, from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Doctoral Degree Programs.

The departments/institute at CSSP offer the following doctoral degree programs:

Ph.D. Anthropology
In the Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology program, the student takes units to specialize in a particular field and area of anthropology. Through dissertation research, the student makes their own original contribution to Philippine anthropology.

Ph.D. History
The Doctor of Philosophy in History program aims to provide advanced training for scholars who seek to specialize in Philippine history. Emphasis is placed on research based on primary sources and the use of current historical methodologies.

Ph.D. Linguistics
The Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics program focuses on Philippine linguistics and research on Philippine languages and dialects to address language-related issues in the country.

Ph.D. Philosophy
Within the frames of analytic and critical traditions, the Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy program provides rigorous and thorough philosophical courses and trainings to enhance the student’s knowledge of philosophical issues and ideas as they progress from being philosophy students to becoming researchers, scholars, and educators in the field of philosophy.

Ph.D. Political Science
The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science program intends to provide students with an opportunity to pursue advanced studies as well as engage in independent research in political science. It trains individuals to be competent in their professions, particularly in teaching and research. It also offers students the opportunity to work with and learn from leading scholars in the major areas of the discipline to identify and respond to a wide array of important epistemological, ontological, and methodological questions about politics.

Ph.D. Psychology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology program follows the scientist-practitioner-advocate model and provides specialized training in psychology, which prepares its graduates to assume leadership roles as academics, researchers, and practitioners in psychology in the Philippines. Students may choose from the following areas of concentration: Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Personality and Individual Differences, and Sikolohiyang Pilipino.

Ph.D. Sociology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology program confers the highest academic degree to a student who has demonstrated capability to produce original knowledge through a successfully-defended dissertation. The PhD graduate is expected to demonstrate mastery of sociological theory, research, and expertise in a chosen area of specialization. Graduates of the PhD program are expected to assume distinctive roles in teaching and producing high-impact research.