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Social Sciences

The world needs problem-solvers. SEMO will prepare you to lead.

At SEMO, social science majors gain the tools to make a real-world impact. From shaping policies to solving complex problems, our programs prepare you for diverse and rewarding social science careers. Whether you’re uncovering history, analyzing behavior, or driving innovation, SEMO helps you move forward without fear.

  • Choose from anthropology, criminal justice, economics, history, political science, psychology, or sociology—or combine concentrations to create your unique focus. 
  • Participate in archaeological digs, forensic investigations, internships, and research projects to ensure you’re job-ready from day one. 
  • Want to solve cold cases? Join Dr. Bengtson and her students, whose work with genomic sequencing, genealogical research, and isotope testing has successfully identified six sets of remains to date.
  • Our Online Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis offers a flexible, accredited path to a rewarding career in behavior analysis, providing practical experience and expert guidance to help individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • Develop critical thinking, research, and data analysis capabilities that employers value in jobs for social science majors.
  • Choose from two specialized criminal justice degree tracks and launch your career with opportunities at top agencies like the FBI, ATF, and local police departments.
With accessible tuition and career-focused programs, SEMO helps you graduate prepared for the future—without extraordinary debt.

90-Hour Criminal Justice Degree

SEMO’s 90-hour criminal justice bachelor’s is Missouri’s first, cutting 30 credits without cutting a single competency while moving you into advanced CJ courses faster. Whether you choose on-campus or 100% online, you get a respected curriculum that works around real shifts, family, and service—so you keep your paycheck and your progress at the same time. Your experience, your schedule, and your goals all count here.
Keep your momentum with the 90-hour CJ degree See how the online CJ bachelor’s works around you Tell me more!
An instructor in the Criminal Justice program at SEMO teaching about real world experienes in the field

Online Master’s in Criminal Justice

You already know the job—this is how you learn to lead it. SEMO’s 100% online CJ master’s is built for working pros ready for command, policy, and administration, with a fast format and a top-ranked reputation backing every credit. It turns on-the-job experience into real influence.
Step up with the online CJ master’s Tell me more!
Image of someone working on a laptop in the online program at SEMO

Law Enforcement Certificate

Don’t let your academy hours live in a silo. SEMO’s Law Enforcement Academy certificate gives you the tactical training employers expect and lets those credits stack straight into your 90-hour CJ degree, saving you time and money. One track, two wins: badge and bachelor’s.
Turn academy training into degree progress Tell me more!
3 people celebrating Criminal Justice LEA graduation at SEMO

  • $63K

    Anthropologists & Archeologists

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for anthropologists and archaeologists is $63,940.

  • $67K

    Police and Dective

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for police and detectives is $67,290.

  • $128K

    Political Scientists

    Philosophy majors often work in government and politics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a political scientist is $128,020.

  • $92K

    Psychologist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for psychologist is $92,740.

joshua chambers smiles widley wearing a red shirt during an interview

Joshua Chambers

Criminal Justice Student

I've gone through the Police Academy here at SEMO, so that's one of the big branches I could take. If I decide to take that path. That's great for me just because I try to help people. That's what being a law enforcement officer is supposed to be, is to help others.
Explore Criminal Justice Programs

Related Programs

The psychology degree prepares you for a career in social services, education, and business and as a foundation for furthering your education in psychology in graduate school.
Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

Regional Campus - Kennett

Regional Campus - Sikeston

The sociology minor provides knowledge and skills that have immediate practical application and are in high demand across a wide variety of careers and professions.

Program Details

DEGREE TYPE

Minor

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

Online

Regional Campus - Kennett

Regional Campus - Sikeston

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Office of Admissions & New Student Programs

Contact Us

Location

Office

Academic Hall, 100D

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 3550
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701-4710