Gain insight on pressing social issues by studying how groups, cultures, organizations, and institutions function in our online social science degree program.
With University of Maryland Global Campus's bachelor's degree program in social science, you'll gain a breadth of knowledge through interdisciplinary study that encompasses perspectives from the fields of anthropology, behavioral sciences, gerontology, psychology, and sociology. You'll also have the opportunity to drill down and focus closely on one of these fields.
These program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2019–2020 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit the catalog archive in the Current Students section.
Students who complete this program may be eligible to reduce their total coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching by 12 credits.
About the Social Science Bachelor's Degree
Your social science degree will help you learn to address social issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, communicate with a diverse audience, develop strong critical thinking skills, articulate the range of research methods used in the social sciences, and recognize good evidence. In addition, you'll learn to identify the implications of social science on various issues to develop policies and programs that enhance human welfare.
Social Science Bachelor's Degree Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Courses in the Major
This program requires 30 credits of coursework in the major.
- 6 credits of introductory (100-level) social science coursework, chosen from the following:
- ANTH 102
- GERO 100
- PSYC 100
- SOCY 100
- BEHS 210
- BEHS 220
- BEHS 300
- BEHS 495
- Upper-level ANTH, BEHS, GERO, PSYC, or SOCY courses (12 credits): Focused study in anthropology, gerontology, psychology, or sociology recommended; see Degree Focus tab
Related Required Course
The following may be applied to general education or elective requirements:
- STAT 200
Degree Focus
Choose from one of these recommended groups of classes or mix and match to align with your career goals and interests.
Anthropology Focus
- ANTH 345
- ANTH 346
- ANTH 350
- ANTH 351
Gerontology Focus
- GERO 302
- GERO 311
- GERO 427
- GERO 320
Psychology Focus
- PSYC 321
- PSYC 338
- PSYC 351
- PSYC 354
Sociology Focus
- SOCY 313
- SOCY 325
- SOCY 423
- SOCY 350
Electives
This program requires 49 credits of minor and/or elective coursework. We recommend EDTP 500 and EDTP 535 if you are qualified to take those courses and are planning to enter the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Note the prerequisites for these courses and contact an advisor before registering.
General Education Requirements
This program requires 41 credits of general education coursework.
Research and Computing Literacy
- PACE 111S or other PACE 111 course
(to be taken in first 6 credits) - LIBS 150, CAPL 398A, or other general education elective
- CMST 301 or another computing course appropriate to the major
Communication
- WRTG 111 or other writing course
- WRTG 112
- SPCH 100 or other communication, writing, or speech course
- WRTG 391 or other advanced upper-level writing course
Mathematics
- STAT 200
(related requirement for the major)
Arts and Humanities
- HIST 125 or other arts and humanities course
- HUMN 100 or other arts and humanities course
Behavioral and Social Sciences
- ECON 103 or other behavioral and social sciences course
- BEHS 103 or other behavioral and social sciences course
Biological and Physical Sciences
- One of the following pairs of lecture and laboratory courses in the same session:
- BIOL 101 and BIOL 102
- NSCI 100 and NSCI 101
- Other paired science lecture and laboratory courses taken in the same session
- GEOL 100 or other science lecture course
Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Please also see more information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements.
Overall Bachelor's Degree Requirements
In addition to the general education requirements and the major, minor, and elective requirements, the overall requirements listed below apply to all bachelor's degrees.
- You must complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- You must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall and a minimum grade of C for any class applied to the academic major or minor.
- Within the 120 credits required, the following coursework must be taken through UMGC:
-
- 30 credits (normally the final 30)
- Half of the required number of credits within both the major and the minor
- 15 credits at the upper level (earned in classes numbered 300 to 499), preferably within the major or minor
- At least 45 credits must be upper level and include at least half of the credits required for the major. The remaining upper-level credits can be earned in any part of the curriculum.
- At least half the required number of credits for any academic major or minor must be earned through graded coursework. Credit earned by examination, portfolio assessment, or noncollegiate training does not count as graded coursework.
Double majors: You can earn a dual major upon completion of all requirements for both majors, including the required minimum number of credits for each major and all related requirements for both majors. The same class cannot be used to fulfill requirements for more than one major. Certain restrictions (including use of credit and acceptable combinations of majors) apply for double majors. You cannot major in two programs with excessive overlap of required coursework. Contact an admissions advisor before selecting a double major.
Second bachelor's degree: To earn a second bachelor's degree, you must complete at least 30 credits through UMGC after completing the first degree. The combined credit in both degrees must add up to at least 150 credits. You must complete all requirements for the major. All prerequisites apply. If any of these requirements were satisfied in the previous degree, the remainder necessary to complete the minimum 30 credits of new classes should be satisfied with classes related to your major. You may not earn a second bachelor's degree in general studies and may not obtain a second associate's degree within the second bachelor's degree. Contact an admissions advisor before pursuing a second bachelor's degree.
Electives: Electives can be taken in any academic discipline. No more than 21 credits can consist of vocational or technical credit. Pass/fail credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits, can be applied toward electives only.
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for careers in policy analysis, research, program development, and management in fields that include business administration, elder care, government, health services, law enforcement, human resources, and community service.
Facts & Figures
Source: Social Science Careers | 2014
Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce | "Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements Through 2020" | 2013
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | "Earning and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment" | 2016
Student Clubs and Organizations
Type: Honor society
Available To: Undergraduate
Pi Gamma Mu is the international honor society that recognizes outstanding scholarship in the social sciences at UMGC. Students interested in anthropology, criminal justice, economics, gerontology, history, political science, social psychology, sociology, and women's studies may qualify for membership. The society recently named UMGC's Maryland Theta chapter to its Roll of Distinction, the highest honor that the society grants.
Type: Honor society
Available To: Undergraduate
Sigma Phi Omega is a national academic honor and professional society in gerontology. It was established in 1980 to recognize excellence among students studying gerontology and aging and to acknowledge the outstanding service of professionals who work with or on behalf of older persons. The society provides a much-needed link between educators, practitioners, and administrators in various settings where older persons are served. Sigma Phi Omega seeks to promote scholarship, professionalism, friendship, and services to older persons and to recognize exemplary attainment in gerontology and aging studies and related fields.
Type: Student organization
Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate
The Behavioral and Social Science Student Association provides its members with information and resources on careers in social science-related fields. Events and activities include guest speakers speakers in the field, discussions on making an impact in one's own community, and sharing research opportunities.
Awards & Recognition
About the Faculty
Our world-class faculty members combine academic credentials with a wealth of experience in the field.
Faculty members in this program hold or have recently held positions including
- Demographer
- Director of advancement
- Nonprofit executive director
- Statistician
- Social science researcher
Our faculty work or have worked at organizations including
- AARP
- National Institute on Aging
- National Institutes of Health
- Planned Parenthood
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- U.S. Army
- Westat
- YMCA
Featured Faculty
Katherine Im
Program Chair, Sociology, Behavioral Sciences, and Gerontology, and Collegiate Associate Professor
UMUC Headlines
- "Carpe Diem and Follow Your Dreams" | UMUC News | 2015
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to