Build critical workforce skills: you’ll do that here.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science helps you develop interdisciplinary professional skills and academic preparation in the social sciences.

What You’ll Do

As a social science major, you'll have the flexibility to choose one major concentration area and one secondary concentration from each of the following disciplines: anthropology, criminal justice, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

  • Learn from exceptionally well-qualified faculty from various disciplines in small class settings, allowing you to learn across disciplines and develop skills in understanding and using data.
  • Gain experience through study abroad opportunities along with optional internships.

What Can You Do with a Social Science Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Related Careers with Above Average Projected Job Growth

  • Survey Researcher
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Policy Analyst
  • State and Local Government
  • Operations Research Analysts
  • Administrative Services Manager
  • Social Science Research Assistant

Social Science (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $60k

    Survey Researcher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a survey researcher is $60,410.

  • $64k

    Human Resources Specialist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a human resources specialist is $64,240.

  • $68k

    Market Research Analyst

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a market research analyst is $68,230.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science is to develop interdisciplinary professional skills and academic preparation in the social sciences. This degree allows students the flexibility to choose one major concentration area and one secondary concentration area from each of the following disciplines: anthropology, criminal justice, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

Required Courses

  • OS200 Survey of Social Science (3)
  • OS300 Problems in Social Science (3)
  • OS400 Social Science Research Methods (3)
Statistics Requirement-Choose one course:
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)*
  • MA223 Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)
  • PY271 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics (3)
  • QM257 Business Statistics (3)
  • SO242/SW 242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
Choose 21 hours in a concentration in one of the following areas. At least 15 hours must be at the 300-500 level:
  • Anthropology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • History (any prefix)
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
Choose 6 hours from any courses (300-599) in these secondary areas except for the area of concentration:
  • Anthropology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • History (any prefix)
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
Language and Math/Statistics Options

Students may substitute up to 6 hours in a foreign language and/or additional math/statistics courses
from the above hours, in either category, with the approval of the BASS Coordinator.

University Studies Interdisciplinary Program Options
UI/IU courses in social science may be substituted in any category with the approval of the BASS
coordinator. The program will maintain a list of acceptable substitutions.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Elective (3)

Sophomore Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • OS200 (3) 
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Statistics Elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)

Junior Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)   
  • OS300 (3)
  • Secondary Area (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • OS400 (3) 
  • Secondary Area (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Senior Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)  
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Concentration Area (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2)

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Location
Office Location
Carnahan Hall 311E
Mailing Location
One University Plaza, MS 2960
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701