Master of Science in Biology

at Pittsburg State University USA

The Department of Music offers a Master of Music degree, with a variety of emphasis areas, including performance, conducting, and music education. Within the area of performance, students may select a vocal emphasis. This degree is designed to prepare individuals for professional advancement or for entry into further study at the doctoral level.

Awards for full-time graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Recipients of these positions will take active leadership roles in the department's ensembles, teaching and accompanying private lessons, and/or serving as an assistant to the ensemble director.

Pittsburg State University’s Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences consists of those specialties that have emerged as so desirable in the 21st century labor force. Students use the tools from Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Sociology and Social Work programs and coursework to examine issues and to find sustainable solutions to complex problems affecting individuals, families, and society.

The mission of the History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences department’s programs is to provide high quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences. Through our efforts, we aim to increase everyone’s awareness of how the ethnic, cultural, and other forms of diversity affect society. We invite you to visit the individual program areas to learn more about each field of study.

Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to collaboration, respect, understanding for all students, staff, and faculty. The programs of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences department at Pittsburg State University embraces a commitment to diversity as a community of individuals and programs which seek to reduce prejudice, disparities, discrimination and build a supportive environment for all. 

Social Work is a practice-based profession which seeks to meet the basic needs of all people. Social workers help people at the individual, family, group, and community levels.  Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings, with licensed positions at the bachelor level, master level, and clinical level.

The Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Social Work (BSW) prepares students for generalist practice in settings such as (but not limited to) child welfare, mental health, addictions, probation/parole, disability, health care, older adults/end of life, schools, and more. The BSW also prepares students for graduate school. Students who have a BSW from an accredited program are generally eligible for advanced standing in master of social work (MSW) programs. This means that after earning a BSW, a student may achieve an MSW in one additional calendar year.

A minor is not required for the social work major, but students frequently choose minors in Psychology, Public Health, Criminology, or Youth and Adolescence.

Social Work
The Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Social Work (BSW) prepares students for generalist practice in a variety of settings. It also prepares students for graduate school. Students who have a BSW from an accredited program are generally eligible for advanced standing in master of social work (MSW) programs. This means that after earning a BSW, a student may achieve an MSW in one additional calendar year.

The mission of PSU’s Social Work Program is to prepare bachelor level social workers to utilize the knowledge, skills, and values of the social work profession in order to enhance the lives of individuals, families, groups, and communities and to promote social and economic justice locally, nationally, and globally.  

To that end, the PSU Social Work Program aims to prepare students for:

• Generalist practice at all levels of the social environment and across the lifespan
• Utilization of the professional self which includes adherence to the Code of Ethics, professional demeanor, effective communication skills, self-awareness, and self-care
• Critical examination of and contribution to research, policies, and practices
• Living and working in a diverse environment
• Promoting human rights and social justice
• Graduate education
• Licensure

The Department of Communication offers a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Master of Arts degrees within a collaborative and collegial environment. Our top-ranked faculty are highly active in their professions and emphasize the importance of fusing theory with applied skill. We have more than 250 majors across the five emphasis areas of human communication, media production, multimedia journalism, strategic communication, and theatre. The department stresses an integrated and active approach to learning. Please explore our website and let us know if you have any questions.

Theatre  - Emphasis
Theatre prepares the individual for work in the arts and entertainment industry across a broad spectrum of areas such as performance, technical production, design, and/or management. Individuals graduating in this emphasis area also work in many tangential industries such as hotel/restaurant management, event planning, and facilities management. At PSU, the theatre program, stresses a liberal arts approach that trains each student across the entire discipline in state-of-the-art production facilities. Participation, collaboration, and service are integral components of the program.

The Department of Engineering Technology offers a Master of Engineering Technology degree program. Within the program, students may choose to have no emphasis or may select from five different emphasis areas, listed below. This program offers a professional multi-disciplinary team and project-oriented approach to students looking to expand their knowledge in a specific technical specialty. This degree is intended to be a terminal professional degree (highest degree in the field).

Pittsburg State University's Department of Chemistry prepares students for careers in science, chemical engineering, pharmacy, chemistry teaching, pre-engineering, and other university programs that require rigorous training in chemistry. It offers eight Bachelor of Science Degrees, two Master of Science Degrees, and one minor.

Biochemistry - Emphasis
Biochemistry is the field of science resulting from the overlap of biology and chemistry. Biochemists explore the reactions, architecture, and role of biological molecules within a living system. To prepare students for careers in biochemistry, the Department of Chemistry at Pittsburg State University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Chemistry and Emphasis in Biochemistry.

Studying biochemistry at Pittsburg State University combines the excitement of a vital area of science with the benefits of a regional university, which include hands-on undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and one-on-one interaction with highly qualified faculty.

The School of Construction offers a comprehensive sequence of courses in Environmental and Safety Management. This broad-based program exposes students to several aspects of environmental and workplace safety.

Environmental and Safety Management program is on the list of national board-approved programs. A student earning an environmental and safety management degree from a board-approved institution is automatically qualified for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential offered by the ISHM.

The Department of Engineering Technology is housed in the Kansas Technology Center on the Pittsburg State University  campus. Engineering Technology Programs are comprised of elements of the technological spectrum requiring scientific and engineering knowledge plus the operational methods and skills devoted to achieving practical purpose in support of product producing industries.

The School of Construction offers a comprehensive sequence of courses in Environmental and Safety Management. This broad-based program exposes students to several aspects of environmental and workplace safety.

Environmental and Safety Management program is on the list of national board-approved programs. A student earning an environmental and safety management degree from a board-approved institution is automatically qualified for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential offered by the ISHM.

The Department of Psychology and Counseling has placed its graduates in schools, businesses, agencies and hospitals throughout the region, as well as provided teachers for two and four year colleges. The department enjoys a strong relationship with area mental health agencies, with many private and governmental establishments acting as training sites for students, and using department faculty and advanced graduate students as consultants. PSU is the only school within a 100 mile radius that provides graduate training in counseling, psychology and school psychology. Additionally, no other university in Kansas has an integrated psychology and counseling department, allowing the department to offer comprehensive, in-depth programs in each area and providing students with the opportunity to experience the best in both disciplines.

Psychology, Human Resource Development - Emphasis
As a part of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, the Human Resource Development (HRD) concentration area helps prepare students for graduate training in HRD and for careers in business and industry as human resource planners, personnel directors, or employee selection specialists. Individuals trained to assist individuals in the workplace become the most effective and motivated workers who have their skills, abilities, and knowledge suitably utilized and recognized.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology was designed for students who want to pursue a career in a psychology-related field immediately after graduation. Historically, most careers in psychology and counseling require graduate training. However, there are a number of careers that do not.