Social Sciences: Study Resource & Degree Program Information

General Information About Social Sciences Degree Programs

Majoring in social sciences prepares for teaching, researching and exploring its various disciplines by integrating theory and comparative perspectives with educational models, critical thinking and analytical skills. Social science students utilize strong critical thinking skills with writing, researching and modern data analysis in order to recognize trends and patterns. Researching data and analyzing the results is a major part of what social scientists do in order to record information and use it as statistical evidence to support organizational decisions.

Students will be taking courses many courses in anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics and political science, along with other humanities-based classes. Look for schools accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for education. Another possibility is to study for two years at a community college and earn an associate’s degree or transfer credits to a four-year institution.

Bachelor of Sciences In Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Sciences in Social Sciences prepares students differs from a B.A. in Social Sciences in that it requires more mathematics. Students will have to take a series of basic math, computer science and statistics classes in order to graduate. Coursework includes at least two classes each in political science, anthropology, geography, psychology and sociology.
Students can obtain a social science degree with or without teacher certification. However, the degree requirements may change depending on what the student’s career goals are, as teaching will take longer to earn a degree. Those who are earning a minor or double major in education will need to take extra classes in child psychology, cognition, human development, behavioral disorders, public policy and pedagogy.

Master of Arts/Sciences In Social Sciences

Earning a Master in Social Sciences requires studying social science subjects exhaustively in addition to social work and a research essay or thesis. Many students have already taught at an educational institution and are going back to school to advance their careers. Coursework may include social theory, institutions and culture, social psychology, advanced research methods, social structure and social injustice against women and minorities.

Master’s Degree In Education

Since so many social science graduates go on to become educators, it is a good idea for those interested in education to earn a master’s degree, as it will improve job opportunities as well as salary. Earning a Master’s in Education is necessary for postsecondary education and usually required for educational administration, like being the principal or dean of a school. Students will learn teaching methods, pedagogical theory, management and evaluation in the classroom so that the school, its faculty and its students can be held to the highest level of accountability and prestige.

Earning Teaching Licensure

A good number of social sciences graduates become teachers. The requirements vary depending on the state, but in order to teach, graduates need to be certified. Those who want to teach in elementary school need to have at least a minor in education, while secondary subject teachers need a more specific degree. In this case, social science graduates will be teaching in the social sciences, which can include history, political science, economics and more.

Additionally, prospective teachers need to have completed an approved and accredited education program that fulfills the student teaching and practice requirements before applying for certification. Teachers also have to pass an exam specific to their state or the PRAXIS exam, both that measure subject knowledge and basic academic skills. The license is good for five years before it needs to be renewed.

Coursework For Social Sciences

Many students choose to pick a more specific focus, choosing from one of the many social science branches to pursue in their college career. Prospective social science majors should look into programs that are flexible about switching from a general degree to something more specific, such as anthropology.

The curriculum for the social sciences involves taking classes in every field, including introductory levels of anthropology, political science, psychology and sociology, along with macroeconomics, microeconomics, world civilizations, U.S. history, world geography, comparative religions, criminology, U.S. government, international politics, research and writing classes. These courses may vary in tittles, but the concentration is still the same, with some other specialized fields thrown in such as urban studies, Afro-American studies and Asian-American studies. Although history is normally considered a major in the humanities, some schools require students to take history courses as well.

Career Opportunities For Social Sciences Graduates

The most common profession for social science graduates is teaching or working in the field of education. High school teachers with a social science background can teach numerous subjects, while universities need researchers to analyze data and teach graduate courses. Archaeologists travel the world on expeditions to uncover artifacts from ancient civilizations. Geographers work in a variety of fields, whether it is mapping out weather patterns with geographical information systems (GIS) or creating maps as a cartographer.

Sociologists investigate social demographics that affect behavior by examining age, gender, race, ethnicity and religion and work in research groups, government agencies and corporations. Political scientists study trends and shape platforms in politics, while analysts and pollsters record public opinion over time. Other job possibilities include writer, historian, archivists, counseling, social work, policy analysis, law enforcement, librarian or research analyst at public, private or nonprofit organizations. Graduates looking into public health and welfare organizations, along with other government positions, will need to go through drug testing and pass a series of background checks to gain security clearance.

Earning Potential For Social Sciences Graduates

As the government increases spending on social programs and many in the field start retiring, the demand for social sciences backgrounds is good, although competition for jobs is tough. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, anthropologists and archaeologists earn median wages of $49,930, while geographers earn $62,990, historians, $48,520 and sociologists, $60,290, respectively. Political scientists and analysts earn an average salary of $90,140. Those with a bachelor’s degree in social science start with an average salary of anywhere from $28,800 to $35,570.