Sessions offer details on New College master's degrees

Individuals looking to pursue an advanced degree may attend one of two upcoming information sessions to learn about five master’s degree programs offered by Arizona State University’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. All five programs are offered on ASU’s West campus.

Sessions are set for Monday, Sept. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 240 of the University Center Building on the West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.

New College master’s degree subject areas include psychology, social justice and human rights, communication studies, interdisciplinary studies, and applied ethics and the professions with a concentration in pastoral care ethics and spirituality.

“Coursework in all of the programs is taught by talented research scholars who are eager to share both specialized field knowledge and interdisciplinary inquiry,” said Robert Taylor, New College’s director of graduate studies. “Students have a variety of motivations for pursuing a New College master’s program, from gaining a competitive advantage in the workforce to preparation for a doctoral program to personal growth and fulfillment, and they enjoy a supportive, intellectually challenging atmosphere.”

The communication studies master’s degree focuses on advocacy and prepares students for communication-intensive roles in fields including public affairs, employee development, community relations and grassroots movements, as well as in organizations focusing on political and health concerns. Many graduates go on to earn Ph.D. degrees and pursue careers in teaching and research.

The master of arts in interdisciplinary studies (MAIS) degree is designed for students from all disciplines who wish to solve problems using “out of the box” thinking. Students take core courses in creative and critical thinking, research and problem-solving skills. Electives may be grouped into one of several areas of focus, such as cultural studies or civic leadership, and a capstone course can take a variety of directions.

The program in social justice and human rights offers two tracks: non-governmental organization (NGO) management and social justice and human rights research. The NGO management track provides those who are passionate about social justice and human rights with the skills needed to become successful NGO leaders. The research track prepares students for agency careers requiring research skills, as well as preparing them for doctoral programs in the social sciences and law.

The master’s in applied ethics and the professions with a concentration in pastoral care ethics and spirituality provides students theoretical grounding in areas of applied ethics, philosophy, religious and social studies, spirituality and trauma studies. The program offers practical skills for professional careers sought by ethicists and spiritual care advisers at hospitals, hospices, prisons and veteran affairs offices, along with interfaith chaplains and non-religious personnel engaged in ethics, social services, spirituality of care, contemplative education and spiritual counseling.

New College’s master’s degree in psychology is a research-oriented program. It is appropriate for students who plan to continue on to a doctoral program and for those wishing to pursue a research-based or applied career in psychology or related fields, such as marketing research, education research analysis, public policy analysis, research project management and program evaluation.

Prospective students planning to attend either the Sept. 27 or Oct. 27 information session may R.S.V.P. online at https://newcollegegrad.asu.edu/infosession/. For additional details, contact newcollegegrad@asu.edu.