Undergraduate Social Sciences Majors

Find Human-Centered Solutions

Social scientists study the human side of complex issues such as climate change, migration, and sustainable development. Use career-focused tools and methods to examine the world through the lens of human society and social relationships and apply your interdisciplinary knowledge to tackle challenges associated with socioeconomic, technological, and environmental change. A degree in one of the social sciences will provide you with a direct pathway to a meaningful career that can make real change in the world.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Anthropology—BS

Are you interested in human cultures and their development? Consider a major in anthropology. You’ll use biological, physical, written, linguistic, and ethnographic evidence to examine the similarities and differences between cultures and provide insight into what people value, how they make meaning of life experiences, and adapt. Our program focuses on archaeology and cultural anthropology, two of the four primary subfields of anthropology. You’ll be prepared for careers in investigative fields, community health, environmental protection, and education at all levels.

Policy and Community Development—BS

A major in policy and community development will help you turn your passion for social, economic, and environmental justice into action. You’ll learn how to assist make communities develop in sustainable, equitable ways through the use of policy and law. Our program combines interdisciplinary study with an applied learning experience, working directly on civic projects with partner organizations and finding relevant internships. You can also study away or abroad (for free!), conduct research, work with community leaders, and choose a concentration in law, environment, or health to specialize your degree.

Social Sciences—BS

Are you interested in the forces that shape human behavior and the ways in which we interact and communicate? Perhaps you’re intrigued by political science and the law? If so, social sciences may be your major. Choose the general interdisciplinary option, which allows you to tailor a portion of your degree to a disciplinary interest area such as sociology, political science, anthropology, or history; or, choose the policy, law, and society concentration to prepare you for law school or policy-focused careers.

Sustainability Science and Society—BS

Study the interactions between social, environmental, and economic systems to find solutions to the world’s most significant sustainability and environmental problems with a major in sustainability science and society. Choose your own focus area on policy, engineering sustainability, sustainability and communities, environment and society, environmental health and justice, or decision making and persuasion. Participate in experiential learning opportunities through Enterprise, the Sustainability Demonstration House, study away or abroad, undergraduate research, and more. You’ll emerge as a leader in sustainability and set yourself up for success in the emerging green economy.

Earn an Accelerated Master’s Degree in Just 1 Extra Year

Highly motivated students can earn a master’s degree in as little as one additional year of study beyond a bachelor’s. Accelerated master’s students graduate prepared for various careers in social sciences that require advanced training, such as in industry, non-profits, teaching, independent research, or continued graduate work.

No. 3
Best Public College in the US for High Salaries (The Wall Street Journal, 2025)
4+
faculty-led study away programs
10:1

student-faculty ratio

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about the Social Sciences department undergraduate degree programs at Michigan's flagship technological university.

"This is a place where students of all backgrounds can feel welcome. When you partake in a major or minor from the social sciences department, you aren't just taking on a degree: you're opening yourself up to a tight-knit group of people with common interests and goals—a real community."Kellen Gasser '25, BS Sustainability Science and Society

Study Social Sciences at a Technological University

Learn how to apply technology to solve social problems and issues in sustainability, human health, environment, and social justice. Gain skills to work successfully in diverse teams through cultural anthropology and sociology; analyze the past and its impact today in history and archaeology; or present arguments on pressing legal issues as you prepare for law school. Build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. Conduct research that makes a real difference in communities with faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors.

Get personalized attention: With a student-faculty ratio of 4:1, your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You can receive the guidance you need in a timely fashion. They can help pair you with undergraduate research, internship and job opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
Customize your education: Tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway. At Michigan Tech, our programs span anthropology, policy and community development, social science, and sustainability science and society. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of the social sciences. Choose from 7 different minors in the department (American Studies, Global Community Development Partnerships, Global Studies, Historical Studies, Law and Society, Social and Behavioral Studies, and Sustainable Science and Society), or add any one of Michigan Tech’s 80+ minors.
Study Abroad: Check out our study abroad/away programs and study sustainability in Costa Rica or industrial heritage in Wales, among other options.
Jumpstart your career: You'll complete at least one capstone co-op, internship, or research project to deepen your learning and build your resume. Get a master's in just one additional year with our accelerated master's program. Position yourself for a number of impactful jobs with a certificate in public policy.

Tomorrow Needs You

Combine your creativity and curiosity to meet pressing societal challenges with innovative solutions. Graduate with the technical skills, critical thinking and tenacity to inspire, design and implement a sustainable future across social and natural sciences, humanities, and arts.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces.

Undergraduate Majors in Social Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.