Social Sciences

The Social Sciences major’s multidisciplinary focus and emphasis on developing sound research and writing skills prepares students for a wide variety of positions in the public and private sectors. In addition to preparing students for graduate school in one of the specific social sciences emphases, the Social Sciences major can prepare students for careers in the non-profit sector, human services, law, politics, journalism, cultural resource management, and business. When combined with Secondary Education certification, the Social Sciences major with a History emphasis prepares students for teaching history and government in middle or high school. 

The Social Sciences degree offers four areas of emphasis. Students have their choice among Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology, or History for Secondary Education certification. Anthropology involves the cross-cultural study of human beings and their way of life through time. Political Science focuses on political behavior and political institutions at the local, state, national, and international levels by examining governments, power, and policies. Sociology focuses on how the social world operates, from the micro-level of everyday interactions in small groups such as families to the macro-level of processes in social institutions such as the economy, religion, politics, and education. History involves examining, analyzing, and interpreting change and continuity in human societies over time. 

Related Careers

• Anthropologist (national average), $68,310 (PhD required)
• Political scientist (national average), $126,140 (PhD required)
• Sociologist (national average), $101,310 (PhD required)
• Survey researcher (Idaho average), $66,440 (MA/MS typical)
• Urban and regional planner (national average), $82,420 (MA/MS typical)
• Public secondary school teacher (Idaho average), $69,330
• Human resource assistants (Idaho average), $41,600

Career data and salary information is from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics