The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's Social Science BS with a Policy, Law, and Society Concentration provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.
The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.
This is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.
First Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| UN 1015 Composition | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Math | 4 | |
| Essential Education: Natural and Physical Science | 4 | |
| SS 1001 Orientation to SS | 1 | |
| SS 2620 / 2610 / 2750 (Area 1 Core Class) | 3 | |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Foundations of the Human World | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-Being and Success | 1 | |
| Essential Education: STEM | 4 | |
| SS 2001 Intro to SS Research | 3 | |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
Second Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Arts and Culture | varies | 3 |
| Essential Education: STEM | 3 | |
| Research Methods Course (Area 2) | varies | 3 |
| Politics, Policy and Law Course (Area 4) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Communication Intensive | UN 1015 | 3 |
| Essential Education: SHAPE | varies | 3 |
| Politics, Policy and Law Course (Area 4) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| Sociology / Geography Course (Area 5) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Third Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Intercultural Competency | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| SS 3750 Social Inequality | UN 1015 | 3 |
| Politics, Policy and Law Course (Area 4) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| History / Anthro Course (Area 6) | UN 1015 (SS 2100/2200 for some) | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Experience | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| SS 4910 Professional Development | 1 | |
| Research Methods Course (Area 2) | varies | 3 |
| Sociology / Geography Course (Area 5) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| History / Anthro Course (Area 6) | UN 1015 (SS 2100/2200 for some) | 3 |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-Being and Success | 1 | |
| Total | 14 |
Fourth Year
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-Being and Success | 1 | |
| SS 4001 History of Social Thought | UN 1015 | 3 |
| Politics, Policy and Law Course (Area 4) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| History / Anthro Course (Area 6) | UN 1015 (SS 2100/2200 for some) | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Internship / Capstone / Thesis / Courses (Area 3) | 3 | |
| Politics, Policy and Law Course (Area 4) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| Sociology / Geography Course (Area 5) | UN 1015 for most | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Free Elective | varies | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Total Credits = 120 Credits
NOTE: Areas 1-6 refer to requirements in the degree audit in which students may choose from a short list of courses.
Essential Education Requirements (24 total credits)
Required courses are:
- Essential Ed Seminar (UN 1013 or UN 2013, 1 credit),
- Composition (UN 1015-3 credits),
- a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
- a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
- an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
- an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
- an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
- and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.
For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.
Additional Notes
- Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent
course.
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
- Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
- Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
- Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).
This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.
For 2025-2026. Revised 05/23/2025.