Social Science Degree Programs Help You Understand the World Around You

What will you study in a Social Sciences degree program?

Social scientists study the social lives of people, the function (or dysfunction) of societies, and the relationships between individuals. The social sciences include anthropology, communication studies, archaeology, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Given this wide variety of specialties, individual degree programs may be quite different. However, the social sciences share a commitment to understanding human behavior, whether approached on the level of the individual mind, as in psychology; the society, as in anthropology or sociology; or across historical eras, as in archaeology and history. The social sciences also generally include a focus on research, thus your time in school as a social science major may include coursework in:

• Research methods
• Data collection
• Analysis of historical or contemporary documents
• Interpretation of significant cultural icons including art and events
• Writing research proposals

Which characteristics do Social Science majors typically possess?

To pursue a career in the social sciences, you should be curious by nature and interested in discovering how the world works, why people do what they do, and how ideas and intellectual schools develop and influence each other. You should be a logical, analytical thinker with the ability to sort through complicated ideas and form new theories and concepts based on what you've observed. You should also have the perspective of a scientist, the ability to do objective and methodical research, and the perseverance to continue with a project for many years in order to get answers to big questions. Online degree programs in the social sciences can help you develop independence and discipline, while on-campus programs provide important opportunities for feedback and mentoring. Social sciences majors also need strong verbal and written communication skills to help you convey your ideas to others. A big part of a social scientist's job includes writing research surveys, correspondence, reports, and academic articles.

Which specific careers can Social Science majors pursue?

Graduates of social science degree programs can be found in a wide variety of career fields, including business, research, and education. Some careers you can pursue include:

• Anthropologist: Through the study of anthropology, you investigate the very beginnings of cultural development and human behavior, including language, physical differences, and approaches to life. Anthropologists typically focus on a region of the world or specific group of people. As an anthropologist, you may study both in an office or library as well as out in the field with other scientists.
• Archaeologist: As an archaeologist, you would spend time studying physical evidence from past cultures--anything from newly discovered cities to jewelry to cooking tools. Technology continues to progress in archeology, enabling the discovery and excavation of new sites much more easily. Archaeologists seek to understand ancient customs, history, and ways of life through research and analysis of these sites.
• High School Teacher: If you love the idea of teaching, a great opportunity for social scientists occurs at the high school level. Secondary teachers typically focus on history or government, but some schools offer psychology, sociology, or anthropology courses, as well. The bulk of your time would be spent teaching instead of researching new materials, so make sure you enjoy spending time with modern-day teenagers as much as you enjoy studying the past.
• History Professor: As a history professor you'd teach college students about the events and interpretations of past events and individuals. You would also research history in an effort to develop new perspectives on historical information and publish your findings in scholarly journals and books. Most likely, you would focus on one aspect of history, whether a country, time period, or aspect of culture such as gender.
• Museum Curator: Curators lead the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of museum displays, including negotiating and authorizing the purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections. They are also responsible for authenticating, evaluating, and categorizing the specimens in a collection. Curators oversee and help conduct the institution's research projects and related educational programs.
• Political Scientist: Political scientists analyze the historical development and current functioning of political entities at every level. As a political expert, you could research public opinion, relationships between the United States and other countries, the structure of government entities, and much more. Many political scientists teach or continue to research, while others go on to become part of the political systems they have studied as political staffers or elected officials.
• Psychologist: A career in psychology involves studying the individual human mind and behavior. You have opportunities to counsel clients as a clinical psychologist, assist organizational development as an industrial psychologist, or advance the field as a research psychologist.
• Sociologist: While psychologists seek to understand largely individual behavior, sociologists attempt to understand group behavior and social patterns. By analyzing why cultures and organizations behave the way they do, sociologists attempt to provide solutions to negative behaviors, encourage healthy interactions, and bring light to underlying cultural issues that impact daily life.

Which well-known people in the industry have completed Social Science degree programs before becoming successful?

Many well-known people attended school to study the social sciences, both those who have gone on to excel in their area of study and those who have used the degree as a launching pad into other fields such as entertainment and the arts.

• Sociology degrees: Michelle Obama, television host Regis Philbin, Rev. Martin Luther King, novelist Saul Bellow, and athlete and broadcaster Joe Theisman
• Psychology degrees: Dr. Phil McGraw, Dr. Joyce Brothers, movie and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer, actress Natalie Portman, and television host Jon Stewart
• Political science degrees: Former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Madeline Albright, former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, soccer player Mia Hamm, AOL founder Steve Case, and TV journalist Jane Pauley
• Anthropology degrees: forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs who inspired the TV series Bones, cellist Yo Yo Ma, writer Kurt Vonnegut

How much do Social Science majors typically earn in the various fields they can pursue?

Just as the social sciences are so diverse, earning potential in various careers is as well. Salaries vary from field to field and from degree to degree, as many jobs in the social sciences require a master's degree or a Ph.D. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, social science professionals earned the following median salaries in 2008:

• Anthropologists and archaeologists - $53,910
• High school teacher - $51,180
• History professor - $62,000
• Museum curator - $47,220
• Political scientist - $104,130
• Psychologist, clinical - $64,140
• Sociologist - $68,570

In which part of the country or world do prominent Social Science communities flourish?

Communities of social scientists tend to develop near schools and government centers. Approximately 41 percent of social scientists in the United States work for a government agency, particularly for the Federal government, according to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Large urban areas with clusters of government, academic, and cultural institutions such as Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles enjoy strong communities related to these areas of study.

Likewise, international cities such as Paris, Geneva, or Tokyo can be centers for social science communities. While social scientists can be found anywhere there are people, most careers in the social sciences require libraries, communication technology, and access to businesses or universities.

What type of "real world" experience could you combine with your Social Science program to supplement what the program teaches you?

Any hands-on research, teaching, or work experience in social services will benefit your career well into the future. As a student, you can pursue internships with government agencies, museums, historical societies, and other organizations associated with your area of interest. Volunteer work can be nearly as valuable as a job in these fields, so consider doing unpaid work now to boost your earning potential in the future.

If you are considering a graduate degree in the social sciences, research experience at your school or during a summer program may help you gain admission. Other experiences such as travel, working abroad, or foreign language knowledge can help if you want to use your social science degree in an international career.

What can a Social Science degree give you that on-the-job experience may not be able to?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most social science positions require either a master's degree or a PhD. Job seekers with the highest level of education will have the best career opportunities and prospects for advancement. Going to school for a social science degree can give you the foundation for an advanced degree, research opportunities, access to professors and other experts, and the credentials to get hired in the job you want after graduation.