Types of Social Science Degrees

Posted on January 9th, 2025 in Blog, Social Sciences

Types of Social Science Degrees

Social science is the study of human behavior, social relationships, and societal structures. With a social science degree, students can explore complex topics that influence our communities and industries, while gaining critical skills valued in today’s job market.

Explore what a social science degree involves, the different degree options available, and how this field can prepare you for a meaningful career.

What Is a Social Science Degree?

The social sciences are academic disciplines that explore how individuals interact with each other; how societies are structured; and how cultural, economic, political, and social factors influence people’s lives.

A social science degree, in turn, provides an interdisciplinary approach to studying human societies, cultures, and behaviors. Students who earn a social science degree gain a deeper understanding of how social structures, institutions, and cultural dynamics impact individual and group behavior.

Social science fields include the following:

Anthropology: The study of human cultures, both past and present, focusing on cultural practices, beliefs, and social norms.
Psychology: The scientific study of individual behavior, mental processes, and mental disorders. Social psychology, in particular, focuses on how individuals are influenced by the social environment and group dynamics.
Sociology: The study of present-day social behavior, social institutions, and social structures. Sociologists analyze how societal factors, such as class, race, gender, and religion, shape human interactions and societal outcomes.
Political Science: The study of political behavior, power dynamics, and public policies. It includes fields such as comparative politics, political theory, and international relations.
Economics: The study of the economy and the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It examines how people make choices based on scarcity, incentives, and trade-offs and includes both microeconomics (individual choices) and macroeconomics (national and global economies).
Criminology: The study of crime, criminal behavior, policing, and the criminal justice system, including examining the causes, consequences, and prevention of crime within society. Criminology draws from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, law, anthropology, and economics, to understand criminal behavior and societal responses.

Social science disciplines often employ both qualitative methods (including interviews, ethnography, and content analysis) and quantitative methods (including surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis) to explore questions about human behavior, institutions, and society at large.

Social Science Degree Examples

A wide range of degree paths are available to students interested in the social sciences. Below are examples of specific types of social science degrees.

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Development

A bachelor’s degree program in psychology and human development examines psychological and developmental theories across the lifespan, focusing on individuals’ mental processes, emotions, and social interactions within family, community, and broader cultural contexts. Key coursework topics include learning theory, abnormal psychology, counseling theory, race and ethnic relations, conflict resolution, and research design.

This degree can prepare students for careers in ministry, human services, or social sciences and serves as a foundation for graduate studies. Potential career options include roles such as school counselor, behavioral therapist, caseworker, human resources (HR) manager, and training and development professional. Graduates pursuing advanced degrees can work as developmental psychologists or industrial-organizational psychologists.

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is intended for individuals who want to improve their communities through a criminal justice career or prepare for further education in related fields. Coursework covers law enforcement, criminal profiling, legal systems, ethics, and public policy, with an emphasis on analyzing crime and understanding factors such as addiction, trauma, and mental health.

A criminal justice degree program provides a deep understanding of criminal behavior and the justice system, examining criminology from a social science perspective. Graduates may be positioned to become police officers, probation officers, human service professionals, paralegals, or public administrators.

Associate Degree in General Studies

An associate degree in general studies is intended to provide students with a versatile educational foundation that prepares them for various academic and career paths, promoting critical thinking, communication, and a broad understanding of human culture, society, and the natural world. The curriculum often covers several subject areas, such as arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, health, social sciences, and business, to ensure a well-rounded education.

This program is designed for students who want a broad-based education, providing foundational knowledge across various disciplines. It can be ideal for students who may want to transfer to a four-year program or who seek a flexible foundation for a career in HR, business, or administrative support roles.

What Can You Do With a Social Science Degree?

A social science degree is versatile and applicable to various fields, including business, government, education, and healthcare. With their strong background in communication, research, and problem-solving, social science graduates are well-suited for roles that require a deep understanding of human interactions and societal dynamics.

Social science graduates are also known for their adaptability. Whether engaging in policy reform, community development, or mental health counseling, these professionals play a critical role in shaping positive change in their communities. Their skill set is not only valuable in public service roles but also increasingly sought after in the business, media, and technology sectors, where understanding human behavior is a crucial advantage.

Counselor

Counselors support individuals facing personal, educational, or psychological challenges, often specializing in areas such as school counseling, substance abuse, or family therapy. A psychology undergraduate degree provides a strong foundation for counseling, introducing students to human behavior, mental health, and psychological theories. It also covers mental health disorders and treatment approaches, helping future counselors recognize and address various conditions.

Becoming a licensed counselor requires additional education, typically a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, along with supervised clinical training and licensing. However, a psychology undergraduate degree is a valuable starting point for this career path.

Salaries vary depending on specialization. For example, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median annual salary of $53,710 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Police Officer

Working as a police officer is another example of what a person with a social science degree can do after graduation. Earning a criminal justice degree is instrumental in building an understanding of the factors influencing criminal behavior and the operations of the U.S. legal system.

Police officers are responsible for maintaining public safety and protecting communities by enforcing laws, handling emergencies, and ensuring the safety of individuals and property. Their duties include patrolling assigned areas, conducting vehicle stops, investigating crimes, and arresting those who break the law.

The BLS lists the median annual salary for police professionals as $74,910 as of May 2023.

Human Resources Specialist

An HR specialist is responsible for managing various aspects of employee relations within an organization. Their core duties include recruiting, screening, interviewing, and hiring employees. HR specialists also handle employee relations, administer benefits, oversee compensation, conduct training and development programs, and ensure compliance with labor laws and organizational policies.

A social science degree, such as an associate degree in general studies, provides foundational knowledge and skills that can be valuable in HR roles. Developing an understanding of cultural diversity and social dynamics allows HR specialists to connect with employees and navigate complex interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Courses in social science also foster critical thinking and analytical skills, which help HR specialists evaluate resumes, assess candidate qualifications, and analyze HR data including employee satisfaction metrics.

HR workers earned a median annual salary of $67,650 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

Pursue Your Social Science Degree Goals

Social science degrees can prepare graduates for a diverse range of professions including roles in counseling, law enforcement, and HR. These roles require a deep understanding of human behavior, organizations, and social systems, as well as broad analytical skills. A social science degree can help build that foundational knowledge.

Warner Pacific University offers accessible and flexible social science degree programs designed for adult learners and busy professionals, making it easier to pursue education goals without disrupting work and personal responsibilities.

For those who are interested in examining the mental, emotional, and cognitive processes of individuals, WPU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology and Human Development degree is an accelerated program available in both in-person (one night per week) and online formats.

If you’re interested in law enforcement and advancing your understanding of the U.S. legal system, consider WPU Online’s accelerated BS in Criminal Justice program. Both bachelor’s degree programs are designed for working professionals who have some college experience.

For students looking to gain their footing in the social science realm, WPU offers an Associate of Arts in General Studies in both in-person and online formats, including an accelerated track for online students.

Take the next step toward your social science career with WPU.

Sources:
HeinOnline, Criminal Justice & Criminology
Indeed, The Differences Between a BA and a BS in Criminal Justice
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Human Service Assistants
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

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