Social Sciences Degree & Career Guide
What Are the Social Sciences?
The social sciences function as a component of liberal arts education and focus on better understanding how humans and societies function from various perspectives. Students can select from degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in subjects such as history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and economics, to name a few options.
Students who pursue a social sciences degree feel curious about human motivations and behaviors, be they focused on factors such as wealth, mental health, past societies, or political motivations. Keep reading to learn about the different subjects covered and the types of social science careers available.
Anthropology
Anthropology blends history and sociology to examine how human societies and cultures developed over time. Students consider both physiological and biological characteristics in this discipline.
Economics
The study of economics examines how economies behave: how they contract, grow, and evolve over time. Students consider questions around the development, use, and transfer of wealth on both the domestic and global scales.
Geography
Geography focuses on the physical components of the Earth and how humans interact with the planet’s resources. Students learn about factors such as land development and use, human behavior, and climate change.
History
History students consider how people, cultures, and communities behaved in the past to learn more about modern human society. Learners typically focus on a time period, methodology, or subject area to build their knowledge.
Political Science
As a discipline, political science seeks to understand how governments and politics function at local, state, federal, and international levels. Students also consider political relations between countries and the roles of political parties.
Psychology
Pursuing a psychology degree involves learning about human behaviors, motivations, and mind processes. Students consider various mental processes and biological influences to build their knowledge and understanding of the human mind.
Sociology
Sociology seeks to understand the roles of relationships, institutions, cultures, religions, and other factors in human behavior and development. Students focus closely on societal causes and consequences alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Sciences
Individuals who earn a social science degree can use their qualifications in many ways. Some graduates decide to pursue traditional jobs associated with their studies, including work as sociologists, political scientists, economists, or psychologists. Others may decide to leverage the skills they gained into related occupations.
For example, someone who studied anthropology or sociology may decide to work for a nonprofit as a program manager. Those who complete degrees in history may find work in museums or cultural centers. Many different jobs exist based on the skills gained in social science programs.
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