The Social Sciences major provides students with a versatile skill set and comprehensive interdisciplinary study of human behavior. Social sciences students explore the cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts of societies, with courses available in anthropology, geography, Latin American studies, sociology, political science, and related fields.

The School of Professional Advancement awards the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences degree following the successful completion of 120 credits, including 30 credits in the major. To fulfill the major core course requirements, students must earn 12 credits in 1000/2000 level and 18 credits in 3000+ level social science courses. Students must complete PASS 1010 and three foundational courses (1000 or 2000 level) in three different social science areas. Students will then take five upper-level social science courses. As their final requirement, students will complete an interdisciplinary Capstone seminar course.

Students pursuing this bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours in their degree and a 2.000 minimum GPA. Additionally, students must complete the School of Professional Advancement core curriculum. More information on general degree and core curriculum requirements can be found here.  

See Sample Plan of Study below.

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Curriculum Requirements

Course List

Course ID	Title	Credits
PASS 1010	Social Science Foundations	3
One 1000/2000 level course in three different social science areas 1		9
Five 3000+ level courses in any of the social science areas 1		15
Capstone Seminar 2		3
Total Credit Hours		30

¹

Social Science Areas:  anthropology, sociology, economics, political science, and gender and sexuality studies, or another social science area chosen with an advisor.

²

Students will have the option to complete their Capstone as an independent study in cases where there is low enrollment for the Capstone seminar. 

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 Sample Plan of Study

This sample plan of study for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences assumes a fall start, a four-year timeline, and reflects the full set of program requirements (subject to course availability). Students are responsible for reviewing all university, school, and program requirements-including prerequisites, transfer credit applicability, and appropriate course sequencing-in coordination with their academic and major advisors.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1		Credit Hours
PASS 1010	Social Science Foundations	3
SoPA Core and General Electives		27
	Credit Hours	30
Year 2
KINE 2010	Social Aspects of Health	3
PASO 2100	Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations	3
PAAN 2110	Ancient Egyptian Religion and Magic	3
SoPA Core and General Electives		21
	Credit Hours	30
Year 3
PASO 3100	Urban Inequality	3
PASO 3220	Social History of Brazil	3
PASO 3300	Sociology of Health and Mental Illness	3
SoPA Core and General Electives		21
	Credit Hours	30
Year 4
PASO 3200	Sociology of Travel and Tourism	3
KINE 3500	Cultural Difference in Healing	3
Select one Capstone Seminar		3
SoPA Core and General Electives		21
	Credit Hours	30
	Total Credit Hours	120

^{Program String and Field of Study: PAUBA_UG, SOSC}

For more information, contact the School of Professional Advancement.