The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers graduate courses in the behavioral and social sciences, the fine arts, and the humanities. The goals of the graduate programs are to provide advanced academic instruction and expertise in the methods and skills of each discipline.

Degree Information

Doctoral Degrees

CLASS offers several doctoral degrees, the highest level of academic study. These rigorous, advanced programs require both coursework and extensive independent research, through the doctoral dissertation. Seven CLASS departments offer the PhD and one offers the Doctor of Musical Arts.

• Economics: PhD Economics
• English: PhD English and American Literature; PhD Literature and Creative Writing
• Health and Human Performance: PhD Kinesiology
• Hispanic Studies: PhD Spanish
• History: PhD History
• Music: DMA Music
• Political Science: PhD Political Science
• Psychology: PhD Clinical Psychology; PhD Industrial/Organizational Psychology; PhD Social Psychology; PhD Developmental Psychology

Master's Degrees

Most departments and schools in the college offer master's degrees, which provide in-depth instruction and preparation, beyond the bachelor's level, in a particular field. Students may use the master's degree to prepare themselves to move directly into the workforce or as a stepping stone to doctoral studies. The Master of Fine Arts is considered a "terminal" degree, meaning that it is generally the highest degree granted in the fine arts disciplines. All master's degrees require a significant amount of coursework, and some also require a master's thesis and/or comprehensive examinations to attain the degree.

CLASS offers the following master's degrees:

• Arts Leadership Master's Program: MA Arts Leadership
• Art: MFA Studio Art; MA Art History
• Communication: MA Mass Communication; MA Public Relations; MA Health Communication
• Communication Sciences and Disorders: MA Communication Disorders
• Comparative Cultural Studies: MA Anthropology
• Economics*: MA Applied Economics
• English*: MA English and American Literature; MA Applied Linguistics; MFA Creative Writing
• Health and Human Performance*: MS Exercise Science; MS Nutrition Science; MS Human Space Exploration Science; MEd Physical Education; MA Sports Administration
• Hispanic Studies*: MA Spanish; MA/MBA Spanish (joint program with Bauer College of Business)
• History*: MA History
• Modern and Classical Languages: MA World Cultures and Literatures
• Music*: MM Music
• Philosophy: MA Philosophy
• Political Science*: MA Political Science
• Public Administration: MA Public Administration
• Sociology: MA Sociology
• Theatre: MFA Theatre (Acting, Directing, or Design); MA Theatre

* It is possible to continue on into doctoral studies in your field at the University of Houston after completion of your master's degree in these CLASS departments.

Dean's Office Contacts

Dr. Catherine Patterson
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

Anna Marchese
Program Director for Academic Records
713-743-4012