Social science includes subjects that can explain our society and the people living in it. Social science is a learning branch that explores the systems of society, their mechanisms, evolution, interrelationships, and how they influence human actions. In everything from economics to the atmosphere, today’s social science majors explore how our activity causes ripple effects.
Students majoring in social science should be really interested in people and their social and economic circumstances. Other important qualities for someone looking to get into a social science major includes ability to communicate, sensitivity, and enjoyment of interacting with others.
Our complete guide to social science majors will cover the following:
- What is a Social Science Major?
- Different Types of Social Science Majors
- Jobs for Social Science Majors
- Best Fits
What is a Social Science Major?
Social science allows society to function smoothly. The police maintain order, counselors help people work, policymakers run our system, and economists keep the economy going. Our world would be radically different without these positions. All of these are part of social science. Social science gives you the skills you need to support people, small communities, and culture as a whole and evaluate them.
If something above sounds attractive, you might be thinking, is a social science major right for me? If you’re interested in law and order, you’re intrigued by ancient cultures, you enjoy helping others, or you want to help solve the world’s most complicated issues, you should consider studying social science. A social science major can help create differences in society no matter which path you choose. Read below to learn about the different types of social science majors.
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Different Types of Social Science Majors
Anthropology Major
Anthropology is often regarded as the study of humanity. It encompasses a wide variety of issues, from human behavior to societal interactions, to how humanity’s evolution has shaped the structure of culture. It is also characterized as both science and humanistic, meaning it is well-suited for anybody who wants to pursue their passions for both. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to apply this major in everyday life.
Criminology Major
People sometimes get confused between the field of criminology and criminal justice. The two programs have distinctly different objectives. Criminology programs investigate when a crime happens, instead of analyzing the components of the criminal justice system. Students take courses on criminology in a criminology major, where they focus on the economics of crime and social issues, drugs, society, and terrorism.
Students can go on with their studies to earn a master’s degree in criminology or even a doctorate. Graduates can choose to serve as forensic investigators, law enforcement agents, private investigators, and in other law enforcement-related areas that require a criminology degree.
Geography Major
Geography is more than just simply locating state capitals and recognizing the mountain ranges. Geographers can forecast the atmosphere and examine shifts in the environment. They often deal with problems like where the population is increasing and how demographics change.
Two main divisions of this major are human geography and physical geography, and both provide many opportunities for insightful studies. Human Geography deals with the spatial dimensions of human life – where people live and work. This helps get an idea of how an environment is built.
On the other hand, physical geographers concentrate mainly on land and climate. Geography majors become acquainted with geographic information systems. So prepare yourself for a lot of research, calculation, and programming work.
History Major
History is a wide-ranging topic, involving broad regions of the world and cycles of time. Although postgraduate level analysis allows you the ability to specialize, you can also use equivalent skills-interpreting sources, looking at existing hypotheses in history, and testing concepts against the data available. With the long, well-documented stories of a particular area, there is the potential to have a first-hand look at the things you’re learning.
Pre-Law
Pre-law is not a major, nor is it going to train you for the bar exam needed for practicing law. It’s a program intended to help you prepare for law school. Pre-law counseling should offer assistance during the preparation process for law school. Pre-law is not a law school prerequisite, unlike pre-med. However, many courses that fall under the umbrella of social science may be required under a pre-law program.
Students studying for law school will usually focus on social sciences such as history, political science, or psychology, but you should study as much relevant information to prepare for law school.
Political Science Major
The academic study of politics and democracy is political science. It directly relates to every classical analysis of the liberal arts. Political science is interesting, and continually evolving, whether you study voter trends in a presidential race or the pros and cons of different government programs.
Critical thinking, the ability to listen to others, and an appreciation of history are a couple of traits someone thinking about going into political science should exhibit. You will research everything from revolutions and political parties to voting conduct and foreign policy while you are majoring in political science.
Psychology Major
Social psychology is the study of how the involvement of others affects the perceptions, emotions, and actions of individuals. All the psychological factors that are observable in a human being are protected by emotions, perceptions, and actions.
Within the field of psychology, there are a ton of different types of psychology majors. Each type of psychology major will work with different groups of people or work towards something different. If you are interested in helping others, a psychology major is a great major to choose.
Sociology Major
The analysis of culture, both at the individual and the systemic level, is sociology. There is a wide variety of topics someone can specialize in within the sociology major -some examples include race, ethnicity, and social mobility. Some sociologists work for analytical reasons only, while others intend to use their findings to help others.
As a sociology major, you will find yourself learning about many different cultures and the different changes that have take place across these cultures throughout the years.
Jobs for Social Science Majors
Social science occupations vary tremendously. Since the area is very broad, the job you decide on will most likely be influenced by the type of social science major you choose.
Students will find there are plenty of jobs for social science majors. Like we said before, the job you go for will depend on your specific social science major. Some popular jobs that students with a social science major may get include:
- Political Scientist
- Sociologist
- Geographer
- Psychologist
- Social Service Manager
- Historian
- Anthropologist
- School Counselor
- Social Worker
- Rehab Counselor
| wdt_ID | Job | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Worker | 50,470 | 13% |
| 2 | Psychologist | 80,370 | 3% |
| 3 | School Counselor | 57,040 | 8% |
| 4 | Social Service Manager | 67,150 | 17% |
| 5 | Sociologist | 83,420 | 4% |
| 6 | Anthropologist | 63,670 | 5% |
| 7 | Political Scientist | 122,220 | 6% |
| 8 | Historian | 63,680 | 3% |
| 9 | Geographer | 81,540 | -1% |
| 10 | Rehab Counselor | 35,950 | 10% |
Best Fits
If you are someone who wants to contribute to society, then social science major is what you should consider. Social science majors become better analytical thinkers with their continuous practice. You can choose a field to focus on and work hard to reach new heights. Almost all the career opportunities with a social science major affect society in one way or another.
People who are disciplined and good strategists are some of the greatest candidates for a social science major. You can quench your thirst for history or get involved in the judicial system, and social science can be your ladder in achieving those goals.
Bottom Line
We can see how crucial this major is after a deeper understanding of the social sciences and what they cover. Social science majors may not get the appreciation they deserve but they are critical to our society. Students who wish to make a difference in the world and help others should consider a social science major.
Social Science Frequently Asked Questions
No matter which subject you decide to focus on, there are tons of career choices for someone with a social science major. Counselor, historian, social worker, and psychologist are just a few of the many choices available to a social science major. Check out some jobs for social science majors.
This entirely depends on what your preferences are. You can simply follow your dreams and pursue a career in what you find interesting. Social science gives you the opportunity to help society while doing something that makes you happy. Whether you choose history or sociology, you can make a difference in society.
All statistics for this article were found from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.