Social Sciences Degree: Social Science Course, Online Social Science Degree Courses

The field of social sciences is broad and diverse, and covers specialized areas such as humanities, geography, psychology and economics among others. A social science degree helps students train to become teachers and educators in this field, and most students completing social science courses work towards a Master's degree program in order to work as historians, archaeologists, counselors or other branches of social science. Individuals who need a flexible schedule to complete their secondary education may choose to pursue social science degree program that offers learning opportunities through a web-based platform.

Career Options with a Social Science Degree

The field of social sciences studies all aspects of human behavior and how different factors and influences in the environment govern behavior, relationships and have an impact on history. A social science degree allows students to pursue a number of career opportunities such as:

• Market Researcher
• Historian
• Writer
• Archaeologist
• Political Scientist
• Grant Writer
• Social Analyst
• Government Researcher
• College or University Professor
• Archivist
• Sociologist

Since there are so many different branches of social science, students typically pursue a social science degree to take general courses during the first two years, and then complete specialized social science courses in a particular concentration for the remaining two years.

Skills Needed for a Social Sciences Career

The field of social sciences is very diverse, but students that specialize in any area will need certain skills to succeed in their career after completing social science degree requirements. Social science graduates need to have or develop the following skills:

• Grant or proposal writing – the majority of social science careers involve extensive grant research and proposal writing. Students will need to develop professional writing skills to succeed in this area.
• Strong communication skills – social science careers typically require working with a variety of professionals and collaborating with others in a team setting. This requires strong communication skills.
• Oral communication skills – conducting presentations, speaking at conferences or workshops and public speaking are common job requirements for many social science professionals.
• Research and analysis skills – many social scientists and related fields involve an extensive amount of research and using the latest analytics tools
• Interpersonal skills – social science degree candidates must be able to work with a variety of people and understand problems and situations from different perspectives
• Critical thinking skills – students must be able to analyze and interpret data with an objective point of view and consider a number of perspectives

Social Science Degree Information

Students who want to teach with their social science degree must achieve certification as teacher and obtain a license from their respective State. State requirements vary by region, and some prospective teachers may need to complete a certain amount of work-study hours in order to receive certification.

Many social science graduates begin their careers working at government or nonprofit agencies so that they can gain work experience in the field. However, many agencies and companies offer on-the-job training for certain positions.

Students who have a strong background in history, literature, mathematics and political science are excellent candidates for a social science career. Prospective students who take advanced courses in these subjects during high school can get a head start on their social science degree program.

Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree are the most common options for students entering the field, and those who wish to pursue research can work towards a Ph.D.

Common Social Science Courses

Social science courses typically cover subjects such as geography, research, economics, world civilizations and sociology. Common social science courses include:

• Cultural Anthropology
• African-American History
• World History and Current Events
• Archaeology and Prehistory
• International Relations
• Abnormal Psychology
• Comparative Government
• Sociology of Sport
• Social Problems of a Diverse Society

Completing an Online Social Sciences Degree Program

Social science courses that are part of an online social science degree program are typically the same as those available in a campus-based setting, except students are expected to participate in online discussions, download lectures and tutorials from the web, and take quizzes and examinations on a web-based platform. Online social science degree programs give students some flexibility with their schedules so they may complete their coursework on their own time. Many students who work full-time or are stay at home parents can benefit from the opportunity to earn their degree with an online social science degree program.

Social Science Degree: Employment Prospects and Salary Information

The majority of jobs available for those with a social science degree includes research positions, administrators and counseling positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook reports that approximately 41 percent of social scientists worked for Federal, State and local governments. Overall employment is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations, with anthropologists and archaeologists experiencing the majority of job growth.

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