Social Sciences—BS

Get Ready to Make an Impact

Interested in the forces that shape human behavior and give rise to social norms and cultural patterns? Are you fascinated by how we interact, communicate, and influence the world? Perhaps you are intrigued by political science and the law.

Then a BS in social science just might be the degree for you. Explore interests and lay the foundation for a productive career fighting for social justice, alleviating income equality, improving government services, fighting crime, and improving outcomes. Plus, the degree is flexible enough to allow you to pursue interests in other areas like business, communications, or the arts.

Prepare to Make a Difference

Before you can change the world, you must understand it. A degree in social science cultivates the complex knowledge and skills needed for graduates to foster a secure and healthy future for all. Issues around social justice and economic disparity offer new challenges and new opportunities as governments, non-profits, businesses, and the public look for solutions.

With a degree in social science, you will gain the tools needed to study the causes of societal problems. You’ll better understand and be equipped to respond to complicated issues and lead the creation of a better future. And you can expand your knowledge and focus on where you want to make your impact by adding a minor, certificate, or even a second major, from any department on campus to complement your degree.

Tailor a portion of your degree to a disciplinary area of interest–such as sociology, political science, anthropology, or history–while also providing broad exposure to the social sciences. Choose courses that fit your interests: social science research methods, introductory disciplinary courses, and advanced disciplinary courses. The method courses include ethnography, demographics, survey methodology, social statistics, graphical information systems (GIS), and historical methods; skills you can apply in most any career.

Degree Courses
Social Sciences - BS

Policy, Law, and Society Concentration

Policy, Law, and Society is tailored to students interested in law school or exploring policy-related careers and interdisciplinary research. This concentration provides a foundation in legal topics with classes in government and policy issues, including American government, environmental policy, and international law. A broad liberal arts curriculum offers excellent preparation for law school. While more focused, this concentration is still adaptable to your personal interests and needs.

Degree Courses - concentration
Policy, Law, and Society - BS

A Masters Degree in Your Plans?

Earn an Accelerated MS degree in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology. You can do it in just one additional year at Michigan Tech with your BS in Social Sciences.

  • $2,500
    to apply to study abroad programs
  • 90%
    undergraduates involved in research

Tomorrow Needs Social Science Experts

Social scientists are essential to shaping a better tomorrow by understanding the intricacies of human decision-making and behavior. Their insights into consumer behavior and public opinion assist in creating better products and services, laws, government programs, and public policy. They are well-prepared to help overcome the societal challenges posed by economic disparity, social injustice, political unrest, and affordable healthcare, to name a few.

Career Opportunities for Social Science Majors

Today, more than ever, companies and organizations seek to employ well-rounded individuals with a broad array of skills. Appropriately equipped, you'll succeed in graduate school, law school, management, social work, the ministry, non-profits, government administration, and a myriad of professions—so you can set your sights high and follow your passions. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Attorney
  • Business Owner
  • Campaign Manager
  • Clergy or Chaplain
  • Compliance Manager
  • Government Relations
  • Hazard Communications Specialist
  • Human Resources Specialist/Manager
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Market Researcher
  • Military Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Political Consultant
  • Student Affairs Coordinator
  • Social Worker
  • Teacher
  • Writer

Companies Hiring Social Science Majors Majors

These are just some of the organizations hiring social science majors:

  • ACCEL Schools
  • Civis Analytics
  • Dow Chemical
  • Easter Seals
  • EPIC Health Systems
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Pinkerton
  • State of Michigan

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying social science at Michigan's flagship technological university

"It’s really what I am passionate about. A lot of professors here have worked in different jobs that most of us undergrads are actually interested in. So being able to take the opportunities that I have here and correlate those to things I can do in the future are really important"
Ethan Gerdes '22, BS Social Science

Study Social Science at a Technological University 

Learn how to apply technology and critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills to solve social problems and issues. Gain skills to work successfully in diverse teams; 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. With faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you’ll conduct research that makes a real difference in communities. 

  • Get personalized attention: With a student:faculty ratio of 4:1, our smaller department ensures 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 better help pair you with research, internship, and job opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
  • Customize your social science education: Tailor your degree to fit your pathway. At Michigan Tech, our programs span anthropology, history, 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 80+ minors across the university.  
  • Study Abroad: All incoming undergraduate majors in the Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Tech receive a $2500 voucher that can be used for one or more study away/abroad programs. Travel for free (or close to it) to study sustainability in Costa Rica or the Western USA via Amtrak.
  • Jumpstart Your Career: You'll complete at least one capstone co-op, internship, or research project to deepen your learning and build your resume. Position yourself for many impactful jobs with a certificate in public policy. Get a master's in just one additional year in environmental and energy policy and boost your earnings potential and employment options.
  • Student enrichment: Expand yourself beyond the classroom with foreign languages, sustainability demonstration house, and undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Majors in Social Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus.
To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Enhance your knowledge beyond your field of study. Explore a passion outside your major. Students from all majors can add a minor in the Social Sciences. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

  • American Studies
  • Global Community Development Partnerships
  • Global Studies
  • Historical Studies
  • Law and Society
  • Social and Behavioral Studies
  • Sustainability Science and Society

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your social science skills at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve social problems and issues.

"I enjoy the variety of classes in this major that are available. There's so many things you can do. I really like studying social science here. I think it’s fantastic."Erin Doran ‘22, BS Social Science