Master of Arts in Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Social Sciences

Graduate Programme · RUPP

Master of Arts in Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

A rigorous graduate programme preparing researchers, policy makers, educators and leaders to understand contemporary Cambodian society from a global perspective.

Programme foundation

Background

Social science is, in its broadest sense, the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around them. Social science tells us about the world beyond our immediate experience and can help explain how our own society works—from the causes of unemployment or what helps economic growth, to how and why people vote, or what makes people happy. It provides vital information for governments and policymakers, local authorities, non-governmental organisations and others.

Purpose and direction

Vision & Mission

Vision

Create high-performing, motivated educators, researchers and leaders for governmental institutions, civil society and private sectors, who are actively engaged in the development of Cambodia and committed to reflective, transformative and responsible citizenship with a global perspective.

Mission

  1. Develop in students social scientific knowledge, critical-thinking skills, ethical values and intellectual disposition, with a clear vision, intellectual creativity and ethical influence.
  2. Develop social science researchers who understand contemporary Cambodian society from a global perspective.
  3. Strengthen students’ ability to recognise problems in human life and society, and cultivate the skills to find appropriate means for solving those problems.

Graduate capabilities

Goals & Objectives

The programme aims to offer high-quality liberal arts education to graduate students, supporting creative critical thinking, responsibility, communication and collaboration. Upon successful completion, graduates are expected to demonstrate the following capabilities.

01

Knowledge Skills

  • Comprehend major social science theories and apply them to real-life situations.
  • Understand fundamental social issues and changes, especially those shaping Cambodia’s intellectual landscape.
  • Develop advanced research skills.
  • Improve English competency for primary-text reading, academic and professional writing, presentations, debates and social science terminology.

02

Cognitive Skills

  • Analyse fundamental social issues and change through social science disciplines.
  • Compare Eastern and Western social science theories and traditions.
  • Articulate and defend individual views.
  • Write an original, high-quality thesis for local and international publication.
  • Integrate writing, research and critical-thinking skills for professional and career development.

03

Interpersonal Skills & Responsibility

  • Justify social scientific knowledge based on social science theory with strong accountability.
  • Be creative and initiate new situations in professional practice and/or further learning.

04

Communication, IT & Numerical Skills

  • Appraise research papers using scientific methodologies and evidence-based arguments.

05

Psychomotor Skills

  • Employ and diagram critical and logical thinking for a variety of professional practices and learning contexts.

Coordination and partnership

Programme Strategy

Programme Coordinator Dr. Keo Chanvuthy Vice-Dean
The programme will be coordinated by the Vice-Dean, Dr. Keo Chanvuthy. Cooperation will be possible upon agreement with institutions to jointly work on the project and its goals. The coordinator will be assisted by a secretariat team with expertise in finance, public relations and logistics. Administrative and financial procedures will follow Royal University of Phnom Penh regulations. Where partnerships are arranged, mutual agreements can serve as the basis for cooperation.

Join the programme

Eligible Applicants & Admission

The M.A. in Social Sciences is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies and careers as researchers, policy makers and leaders in government, civil society, private companies, NGOs and international organisations.

Eligible Applicants

Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in social sciences or a related field.

Applicants from other disciplines may be considered after faculty review and prerequisite courses if required.

Demonstrate English language proficiency at an intermediate level or higher.

Professionals from government agencies, private companies, NGOs and international organisations are encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements

  1. B.A. degree with 6 credits in subjects within social sciences.
  2. Minimum GPA of 3.5 in the B.A. programme.
  3. English competence proven by at least 500 TOEFL ITP, 5.5 IELTS, an equivalent internationally recognised test, or the programme’s English entrance examination.
  4. Entrance examination in Social Sciences, General Knowledge and English.
  5. Programme fee: USD 5,000 per year.

Documents to Submit

  1. Application form with a 4 × 6 passport photo.
  2. English and Khmer application forms completed by handwriting.
  3. Admission ticket completed by handwriting.
  4. Statement of purpose in English, including areas of research interest, with a maximum of 1,000 words.
  5. Two letters of recommendation written by professors.
  6. Academic certificate, transcript and relevant documents certified by a local authority. Foreign students must submit certificates approved by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC).

View Application Forms 

Study journey

Programme Duration

Year 1

Coursework

Term 1: Three foundation courses plus one specialised course.
Term 2: Three specialised courses plus one elective course.
Term 3: Three elective courses.

Year 2

Thesis Writing & Defence

Students write and defend a thesis before a committee of four professors, including the Thesis Supervisor. Passing the defence is required for graduation.

Before beginning the thesis, students must:

  1. Complete 35 credits of social sciences coursework in the M.A. programme.
  2. Earn at least 550 ITP TOEFL, TOEFL iBT or an equivalent English-test score.
  3. Have the thesis proposal approved by the Thesis Supervisor.
3 MonthsProposal defence
6 MonthsThesis writing
3 MonthsDefence preparation and final revision

Programme description

Course Structure

Year I · Semester 1

Foundation

Foundation courses: three subjects (9 credits).

No.Course TitleCredit
1Theoretical Debates of Social and Public Policy3
2Theory of Social Sciences3
3Social Sciences Research Methodology3

Year I · Semester 2

Specialisation

Academic specialisation: four subjects (12 credits).

No.Course TitleCredit
1Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Social Science3
2Seminar on the Inquiry into Methodology, Nationalization, and the Impact of Globalization in Cambodia3
3Seminar on the Inquiry into Power, Structure and Agency3
4Seminar on Key Issues in Politics and Public Governance3

Year II · Semester 1

Electives

Students are encouraged to choose four courses from the following five courses.

No.Course TitleCredit
1Seminar on Applied History3
2Seminar on Applied Ethics in Social Sciences3
3Seminar on Cambodia’s Local and International Migration3
4Seminar on the Inquiry into the Development Discourse in Education3
5Seminar on Social Scientific Analysis of Economic Development3

Year II · Semester 2

Thesis

Thesis component.

No.Course TitleCredit
1Defence of Detailed Thesis Proposal3
2Thesis Writing and Thesis Defence9
Total credits stated in the original programme structure 45 Credits

Professional pathways

Careers

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be equipped to pursue diverse career paths in policy making, research, policy analysis, social and environmental advocacy, education and more. The Master of Arts in Social Sciences prepares individuals to be thoughtful and influential contributors to ongoing scholarly discourse about how social science shapes and transforms lives.

Policy Making
Research
Policy Analysis
Social & Environmental Advocacy
Education

Ready to learn more?

Contact the programme coordinator for admission information, programme enquiries and application guidance.

Address Campus 2, Royal University of Phnom Penh

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