Social Science Degree

Obtaining a social science degree opens many doors for future career options. Although there are several disciplines and career fields in particular that would require one to obtain this degree, this is also the type of degree that would benefit those who aren't quite sure what they want to be when they grow up. That's because there are literally hundreds of careers one could choose after obtaining a degree in social science.

A social science degree serves those well that plan to work in the government sector as well as those who intend to focus on the private sector. Many major career fields are open to those in this arena of study including banking, law, corporate careers, social work, both for the private and government sectors, careers in the media, political careers, advertising, public relations and many more.

Obtaining a social science degree doesn't limit one to a specific career or field. With this degree, one could be a teacher and then decide to be a reporter or a social worker. Police officers and other law enforcement personnel often have degrees in the social sciences. Correctional officers, wardens and other prison personnel also pursue social studies.

Policy makers and those working in international finance and economics often have social science degrees. So do legislators, lobbyists and activists. While it is best of course, to have a clear plan of action regarding one's career choice and prepare oneself by taking the right classes and optimizing all educational opportunities, if ever there was a degree for the undecided, this is it.

Several areas of social studies comprise the social sciences and often these areas overlap into other disciplines as well. Still, it is a broad area of study and those who hold a social science degree have many career options. These areas include Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Communication, Political Science, Economics, History, Geography, Education, and others. Within each of these disciplines lie many different sub-categories and various options within those for career decisions.

Also included among the social sciences are Linguistics and International Relations. These two social education disciplines alone could lead to hundreds of different careers. Development Studies is another social science and is relatively new as a degree program. It concerns itself with the issues of developing nations, some of which are economic in nature such as poverty.

An environmental social science degree has to do with the social aspects of the environment as to the influences we as humans have on the environment. For example, someone working toward such a degree may not necessarily study natural disasters but would be very interested in the way we treat the environment in areas such as recycling or the disposal of toxic material.

Those studying for an environmental social science degree might also study population and its effects on the environment or natural resources and how we as humans are using or abusing those natural resources.

Social Policy is another of the social sciences and it deals with the issues relevant to welfare, social security, homelessness and other programs. Social policy also covers such issues as health and education.

There are literally hundreds of careers one can choose from that involve the social sciences. While some hear the term "social science" and automatically assume they're destined for social work with this degree in reality that's only one of the many careers one with a social science degree might choose. Others include many different careers within the criminal justice system and careers involving social policy which are broad as well.

Those interested in a career in social policy may work in a university setting teaching social policy or as a researcher or analyst in the government sector. Those educated in social policy might also go on to become legislators and work toward change in current laws or policy.

Many of the careers involving the social sciences are in the government sector while many of them involve working in the private sector as well. Corporate executives often have social science degrees as do those in advertising, media and media relations, public relations, local city government such as city planning or housing. Human rights and civil rights activists often pursue social education and careers in the social sciences. Fundraising, volunteer organizations, and organizations that promote literacy and women's and minorities rights are often career choices for those that hold social science degrees.

Social work is one of the many disciplines those pursuing a social science degree might choose and those who hold a degree in this field have many different opportunities for a career. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the undergraduate degree while a Master's of Social Work (MSW) is the graduate degree. Social Workers may also be certified or licensed in their state of practice.

Social workers work in all kinds of care facilities including mental health facilities, elder care facilities, hospitals, youth facilities, foster care, and all types of family service agencies. Social workers often make assessments involving what kind of care or aid a patient or family might require.

Social workers who work in state Departments of Family and Children Services often monitor a home situation where minor children are at risk and may make recommendations regarding removal of a child from an abusive home.

Social workers who work in cancer treatment facilities may assist patients and families with issues related to but not directly involving their treatment. For example, a social worker in this type of facility might work with families of cancer patients to help them cope with the effects of this illness. He or she might refer the families to other sources for assistance with medication or facilitate a support group for the cancer patient and his or her family. The social worker is concerned with the non-medical aspects of the illness.

A social worker in a cancer treatment facility might provide counseling for the patient and the family. He or she might also serve as the link between the family and other types of services such as short-term housing assistance for families who are accompanying out-of-town patients. The social worker is often the one source who can point patients and families in the right direction when they are faced with difficult and uncertain situations.

Degrees in psychology are offered at the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate levels. In order to be a psychologist, one would need the doctorate level degree. However, as one of the social sciences, there are many different careers involving the study of psychology and those with Bachelor's and Master's degrees have several career options from which to choose. Various minors may be helpful in obtaining work in some of these careers as well. However, there are many entry level career choices for those with a social science degree in psychology. As with a degree in social work, a degree in psychology opens up such fields as the mental health field as well as family and social services.

Careers in this field run the gamut from a child protection worker to an employment counselor. Other choices include corrections officer, substance abuse counselor, veteran's advisor and other government and private sector program advisor, director or supervisor positions.

There are many careers in business for psychology degree holders. From the retail store manager to a consultant or business advisor, various areas of the business arena are open to those with an undergraduate psychology degree. Marketing, advertising, sales, banking and careers in human resources are all attainable with this level and type of social education.

Most of us don't even think or know for that matter all the ways that psychology impacts our every day lives. Fortunately, though, there are experts in this field in many careers that at first glace, don't have anything to do with psychology. For example, we tend to think of FBI and CIA agents and other law enforcement personnel in terms of gun-toting physically active positions but the most grueling, physically active career choices have psychological experts on staff. Advanced degrees are required of course for the more advanced expertise requirements however those with an undergraduate psychology degree have fascinating career options in many different fields.

George Herbert Walker Bush graduated in 1948 as an economics major and look where he ended up. Economics involves a broad area of social studies which can lead to a diverse choice of careers. Many economists work in the government sector however like many careers involving a social science degree and social education, there are private sector jobs in this discipline as well.

Economists who work for the government often conduct research and perform analysis on various data and may be involved in certain policy making decisions. As there are many branches and levels of the United States government, so are there various departments and needs for economists. While some economists work with financial data, not all careers in economics are financially based.

Economists who work in the corporate world may analyze consumer driven issues such as supply and demand and what and how goods and services impact the lives of consumers. Those pursuing careers in marketing might pursue a degree in economics. There are many different levels of marketing and more than a little psychology involved in this field so for those choosing marketing as a career, combining economic studies with psychology would certainly put them on the right pathway.

As consumers, we may think a new business is pleasing to the eye or we may like it or dislike it for other reasons yet we have no idea of all the economic, social studies and psychology that has been implemented long before the doors first opened. We don't even think about how our spending habits have been studied or whether we buy more groceries when the store plays fast or slow music. These are just some of the fascinating social education opportunities open to those in the social science field who study economics and/or psychology.

University and college faculty positions are often held by economic majors with graduate degrees. Those with undergraduate economic degrees may teach high school, both public and private. In fact, one could be teaching at the high school level while pursuing an online graduate level degree and then be able to transfer to a more advanced position without having had to interrupt his or her present career while earning the graduate degree.

Those who choose careers in political science may also work in the government or private sector. Government jobs in this field include those in the local and federal government. Local government jobs might include city planner or city housing administrator; these careers could also include coordination of non-profit agency funding.

Political science majors often teach in high schools and universities. Some work toward various careers in law. Political campaigns are also popular choices for this type of social science degree. Political commentators and writers are also fields which the political science major might choose.

Those holding political science degrees who work in Corporate America might be any number of a variety of corporate executives, analysts, advisors or consultants. Additionally, public information officers in various corporations often major in social studies with an emphasis on political science.

Some who obtain political science degrees do so specifically because they're interested in politics and the world at large both in their own communities and nationally or internationally. Political Scientists are often interested in human and civil rights, the environment, legislative issues and other issues that have a direct bearing on politics. One doesn't have to be a politician to have a career in the political arena. There are many areas where one can contribute his or her talents in this discipline.

Matt Lauer earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication and look where he is today! As with many of the other majors in the social sciences, the Communication field is broad indeed. Communication majors often pursue careers in the media such as newspaper reporter or editor or careers in television or radio communication. There are, of course many other less obvious career choices one can pursue within this discipline of the social science degree.

Advertising is another popular field social education communication majors choose while a minor in business would be extremely useful. Public relations, research, any type of writing and special events such as conventions are all worthwhile and appropriate choices for this major. Fundraising and volunteer work such as director or executive director are choices the communication major might make when choosing a career.

Knowing one's career choice going into this degree as well as any of the social science degrees can go a long way toward preparing for that specific career as one can ensure that his or her minor is aimed toward the eventual career as well as taking advantage of intern opportunities in one's chosen field. While one can become a retail store manager with a degree in communication, if advertising is your chosen field then it would be prudent to minor in business or something that would help ensure a successful advertising career.

Many people choose to pursue an online degree today for a variety of reasons. For some, it's the only way they can attend school while working full-time as with many of the online degree programs, one can "attend" class at one's own convenience. There may be scheduled tests or discussion times but these are usually flexible with more than one day and time listed. There are many accredited colleges and universities that offer online degrees; some have prerequisites and certain terms and conditions apply but for many going to school online is the difference between being able to obtain or finish their degree and not being able to go to school at all.

For those students hoping to acquire one of the social science degrees, there are many online opportunities in which to earn their degrees while still maintaining the status quo at their jobs.

One Colorado university offers an online social science degree, for example a B.A. in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Communication and Public Affairs. While those seeking this degree would not be limited to a career in the fields of either communication or public affairs, by emphasizing these particular disciplines, he or she would be well prepared for a plethora of various careers involving those areas.

By the same token, those interested in banking or advertising might choose a business emphasis in order to best prepare themselves for their future career. For those who choose to pursue their online degrees via a local college or university, they will still have the advantages offered to them as if they were attending classes on campus such as libraries and physical fitness areas and student services and such. Those who attend a distance online program, depending on the establishment might still be privy to an online library in conjunction with the college or university.

In today's busy, busy world, pursuing an online degree gives us choices and options we've never had before and many of us are taking advantage of those.