MASTER OF ARTS IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE TRACK IN ORGANIZATIONAL AND SOCIAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT (MABHS-OSD)

Program Overview:

The MA in Behavioral Science prepares students for specific careers as development program/project analysts, managers, implementers and researchers. For present development professionals, the program will substantiate and enhance the skills demanded in the above roles. 

The major goal of the MA in Behavioral Science is to enhance knowledge and develop major competencies in the teaching and practice of Behavioral Sciences in both academic and corporate work settings.

Program Learning Outcomes (LO):

P01. Explain organizations and social systems using the behavioral science perspective that includes sociology, anthropology, and social psychology.

P02.  Advance research addressing socially relevant issues influencing groups, organizations, communities, and social systems in general. 

P03. Demonstrate skills in using qualitative and quantitative methods in  organizational and social systems’ research.  

P04. Analyze and synthesize organizational and social systems’ research findings and interpreting results using relevant research methodologies 

P05.   Develop intervention strategies and programs for collaborative action that  show respect to organizational dynamics,  belief systems,  culture  based and community  based perspectives.

P06.  Produce master’s thesis in organizational development and/or social systems that would help advance knowledge appreciation and knowledge production.

Admission requirements

To enter the Program, the applicant must (1) have her/his last degree earned in    Behavioral Sciences or related disciplines;  (2)  satisfactorily pass the admission test for Graduate School, i.e.; for MA;  (3) have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0/B or its equivalent;  (4) satisfactorily pass a panel interview; (5)  submit a personal resume and a research plan for a prospective thesis; and, 6) specific requirements of the DLSU Graduate Admissions Office.

  • Total number of units required: 30 academic units and 6 units thesis.
  • Duration: 5 years course requirement, 3 years thesis
  • The student must pass the written comprehensive examinations to be able to proceed to thesis writing.
  • The student must be able to publish one research article in a non-predatory, peer-reviewed journal during the course of study using DLSU-DSBS as primary affiliation.

Program Checklist/ Flowchart

Core (9 Units/ 3courses)

 

  • ABS514M (Theories and Applications of Behavioral Sciences)

 

  • ABS679M (Social and Organizational Change Management)
  • ABS531M (Foundations of Social Development)

Major (12 units/ 4 courses)

  • ABS816M (Program Planning, Management and Evaluation)
  • ABS523M (Quantitative Research Methods)
  • ABS524M (Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis)
  • ABS824M (Directed Readings)

Cognates (9 units/ choose 3 courses)

  • ABS676M (Social Dimensions of Corporate Organizations)
  • ABS686M (Community, Organizational, and Academic Leadership)
  • ABS825M (Special Topics)
  • ABS653M (Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health)*
  • ABS656M (Engendering Development)*
  • ABS655M (Gender Awareness and Sensitivity)*
  • ABS658M (Mainstreaming Gender in Development Programs)*
  • *(cognates for those interested in Gender)

Thesis (6 units)

  • ABS851M (Thesis Writing 1 and Proposal Defense)

 

  • ABS852M – ABS859M (Thesis Writing 2-9 and Thesis Final Defense)

 

Course Description

ABS514M (Theories and Applications of Behavioral Sciences)  3 units

The course emphasizes the trans disciplinary perspective of the Behavioral Sciences which is comprised of the disciplines of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Psychology. It provides an overview of the theories and practices drawn from these disciplines for understanding human behavior, change and development in different social and work settings, including gender and the environment. 

ABS531M (Foundations of Social Development) 3 units

The course deals with the basic concepts and theoretical paradigms about development in general and social development in particular. It also analyzes and examines the various social development programs, initiatives, and experiences of various institutions and groups in the country, i.e., government organizations, non-government organizations, peoples organizations and other civil society groups.

ABS679M (Social and Organizational Change Management) 3 units

The course covers the underlying fundamental philosophy, principles and methodologies of social and organizational change and development. It analyzes the various environmental processes, forces, and conditions that impact on societies and organizations, and how the latter is able to effectively manage adjustments or transformations to remain viable.

 

Major (12 units/ 4 courses)

ABS523M (Quantitative Research Methods) 3 units

The course familiarizes the student with the concepts and methods of quantitative research and their applications in social research and development. It will focus on survey, content analysis, experiment, and environment needs assessment and the management and analysis of data drawn from these.

ABS524M (Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis) 3 units

The course covers the application of qualitative methods and techniques in social research and development and environmental studies.  The topics will include, among others, focus group discussion, in-depth interviews, case study, participant observation, and ways of integrating quantitative and qualitative methods.

ABS824M (Directed Readings) 3 units

This course is designed as a guided independent research subject that prepares the student for thesis writing. Literature pertinent to the student’s interest will be reviewed, analyzed, written up and presented in a students’ forum.  

ABS816M (Program Planning, Management and Evaluation) 3 units

This course deals with the concepts, principles, theoretical frameworks, methods and tools including log frame analysis in the planning, managing and evaluating programs. It discusses the various issues involved in program planning and management, including management of change within the program, quality assurance initiatives, and monitoring and evaluation of program inputs and outcomes. 

 

Cognates (9 units/ 3 courses) – Track 1

ABS676M (Social Dimensions of Corporate Organizations) 3 units

This course focuses on the functions and interplay of human (primarily social, cultural, political, and economic) and environmental factors in the directions and development of organizational initiatives. Issues and strategies pertaining to corporate social responsibility will likewise be addressed.

ABS686M (Community, Organizational, and Academic Leadership) 3 units

This course deals with the understanding of theories and best practices in leading and managing people in communities, organizations, and the academe. It is designed to enable students to examine the varied types and models of leadership under these different milieus.

ABS825M (Special Topics) 3 units

Current topics of special interest or concern in social planning and development will be covered – sectoral concerns/issues such as gender, poverty alleviation, information technology, education and society, environment and sustainable development to cross-cultural issues in organizational management, leaders and entrepreneurs, among others. 

ABS653M (Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health) 3 units*

Students are introduced to gender issues as well as the psychosocial, cultural, political and economic aspects of gender, sexuality and reproductive health (GSRH). Particular attention will also be given to the interrelationship between gender and health. Gender and sexuality issues are discussed in relation to reproductive health, particularly in the Philippine setting. The various components and determinants of RH are discussed, including its operationalization in the country as well as its policy and programmatic implications. Students are also familiarized with gender analysis, planning and its mainstreaming in all sectors. 

ABS655M (Gender Awareness and Sensitivity) 3 units*

This course differentiates between the concepts of sex and gender; gender stereotypes, biases and prejudices across societies especially in Asia and the Pacific; gender roles (differences and inequalities) of women, men, girls, and boys in urban and rural settings; practical and strategic gender needs; and women’s multiple burden. It will focus on applying Moser’s gender analysis framework to understand the context of women’s marginalized position in many developing societies.    

ABS656M (Engendering Development) 3 units*

This course provides a historical overview of the evolution of gender and development approach, and a glossary of gender terms. It discusses the underlying principles of engendered development as well as the different gender frameworks and tools currently used for gender analysis.

ABS658M (Mainstreaming Gender in Development Programs) 3 units*

This course discusses the gender programming cycle and illustrates how gender is integrated in goal-setting, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects. Development of gender sensitive indicators and strategies for engendering stakeholder participation will be emphasized.