Social Sciences

An anthropology major studies human beings in all their diversity by combining methods from the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences to understand culture, behavior, biology, language, and history. Students learn how to design and conduct fieldwork, including participant observation and ethnographic interviewing, to collect qualitative data about beliefs, rituals, social structures, and everyday practices; they also learn quantitative methods such as survey design, statistics, and computational analysis to test hypotheses about population patterns and social change. Coursework covers cultural anthropology, biological or physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology, teaching students to read and interpret material remains, fossils, and genetic evidence as well as to analyze communication and symbolic systems. Emphasis on critical thinking and theory trains students to compare societies, recognize power relations and inequality, and reflect on ethical responsibilities in research and engagement. Practical skills include research design, data collection and analysis, academic writing, cross-cultural communication, and public presentation, preparing graduates for careers in research, cultural resource management, public policy, international development, museum work, education, and community advocacy. The program encourages adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied problem-solving so students graduate able to frame complex human issues, propose informed interventions, and communicate findings clearly to academic and nonacademic audiences.

An economics major studies how individuals, firms, and governments allocate scarce resources and make choices under constraints, combining theoretical models, empirical analysis, and real-world applications. Students learn microeconomics to understand market behavior, consumer choice, production, and pricing, and macroeconomics to analyze national income, inflation, unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy. Quantitative skills are developed through courses in statistics, econometrics, and mathematical methods, enabling students to test hypotheses, analyze data, and build predictive models. Coursework often covers international trade, public economics, labor markets, industrial organization, and development economics, exposing students to policy debates and business strategy. Practical skills include data analysis with software, report writing, and presenting evidence-based recommendations, preparing graduates for careers in finance, consulting, government, research, and continued study in graduate or professional programs. The program also fosters critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to connect abstract models to concrete policy and business decisions. Flexible, expert advice when you need it. Book hourly support across a range of topics—from planning to problem-solving.

A political science major studies how governments, institutions, public policies, and political processes operate and interact at local, national, and international levels. Students learn to analyze political systems, compare constitutions and electoral systems, and evaluate how laws and policies are made and implemented. Coursework develops skills in critical thinking, research methods, statistical analysis, and persuasive writing, enabling students to design and conduct empirical studies, interpret data, and construct evidence-based arguments. They examine political theory, civil rights, public administration, international relations, and public opinion, gaining tools to assess power dynamics, ideological conflicts, and policy outcomes. Practical components such as internships, simulations, and case studies teach negotiation, advocacy, and ethical decision-making, preparing graduates for careers in government, law, nonprofit organizations, journalism, consulting, or further study in graduate and professional programs.

A psychology major studies human thought, emotion, and behavior using scientific methods to understand why people act the way they do and how mental processes develop and change. Students learn research design, statistics, and experimental methods to evaluate evidence and draw valid conclusions, along with cognitive psychology topics such as perception, memory, learning, and decision making. Courses cover developmental stages across the lifespan, social influences on behavior, personality theories, and the biological bases of behavior including brain structure and neurochemistry. Training also emphasizes assessment and measurement, including psychological testing and diagnostic methods, and introduces clinical concepts like psychotherapy, ethical practice, and mental health treatment. Through labs, data analysis, case studies, and often internships, students develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for careers in research, healthcare, education, business, or for graduate study in psychology and related fields.

A history major studies how people, societies, and institutions have changed over time by examining primary sources, secondary analyses, and material evidence to reconstruct and interpret past events and trends. Students learn to evaluate diverse types of evidence, place events in broader social, political, economic, and cultural contexts, and understand cause and effect across different regions and eras. Coursework develops skills in critical reading, close textual analysis, archival research, and clear argumentative writing, while seminars and projects teach students to formulate research questions, design methods to answer them, and present findings persuasively. The major also exposes students to historiography, showing how interpretations of the past have evolved and how perspectives are shaped by ideology, power, and access to sources. Graduates gain practical abilities in research, communication, problem solving, and synthetic thinking that apply to careers in education, public history, law, government, journalism, and many other fields.

A geography major studies the relationships between people, places, and the environment by combining physical science, social science, and spatial analysis. Students learn to read and interpret maps, use geographic information systems to collect and analyze spatial data, and apply remote sensing techniques to monitor land cover and environmental change. They study physical processes such as climate, hydrology, and geomorphology to understand natural hazards, resource distribution, and ecosystem dynamics, while also examining human geography topics like urban development, population patterns, cultural landscapes, and economic activity. Coursework builds skills in quantitative analysis, field methods, and geographic modeling, preparing graduates to assess environmental impacts, plan land use, contribute to disaster management, and inform policy decisions that shape sustainable communities.

A criminology and criminal justice major studies the causes, consequences, and control of crime and the institutions that respond to it; students learn theories explaining criminal behavior, methods for collecting and analyzing data, and the social, legal, and ethical contexts of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Coursework typically covers criminal law, policing practices, the court process, corrections and rehabilitation, juvenile justice, and victimology, alongside research methods, statistics, and criminological theory. Students gain practical skills in critical thinking, evidence-based policy evaluation, interviewing and report writing, and quantitative and qualitative analysis, preparing them to assess crime trends, design or evaluate prevention and reentry programs, and work in roles such as law enforcement, probation and parole, court administration, victim advocacy, policy analysis, or further study in law, public policy, or social science research.

An international relations major studies the political, economic, social, and legal interactions among countries and non-state actors, learning to analyze how diplomacy, conflict, trade, human rights, and global institutions shape world affairs. Students develop skills in comparative politics, international law, and foreign policy analysis, using historical case studies and contemporary events to understand causes of war and peace, economic development, and migration. Coursework often includes training in research methods, statistics, and qualitative analysis to evaluate data and craft evidence-based arguments. Students also practice effective writing, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication, preparing them for careers in diplomacy, international organizations, journalism, policy analysis, and non-governmental work.

A public policy major studies how governments, organizations, and communities identify problems, design solutions, and implement programs that affect the public good. Students examine the policy-making process from agenda setting through evaluation, learning methods for analyzing social issues, gathering and interpreting data, and assessing economic, legal, and ethical implications. Coursework typically includes political institutions, statistics and research methods, economics, program evaluation, and policy analysis, which teach students to formulate evidence-based recommendations and forecast likely outcomes. Students also develop practical skills in writing policy briefs, conducting cost-benefit analyses, designing surveys, and communicating complex findings to diverse audiences. Graduates are prepared for roles in government agencies, advocacy and nonprofit groups, consulting, and research, where they apply analytical reasoning, stakeholder engagement, and implementation strategies to address public challenges.

A communications major studies how people create, share, and interpret messages across media, institutions, and cultures. Students learn theoretical frameworks such as rhetoric, media effects, and interpersonal communication that explain why messages persuade, inform, or mislead. Coursework develops practical skills in writing, public speaking, media production, digital content creation, and data-driven audience analysis, so graduates can craft clear messages for print, broadcast, social platforms, and organizational settings. The program also covers research methods, ethics, and law related to speech and media, giving students tools to evaluate sources, measure campaign impact, and make responsible decisions. Through group projects, internships, and portfolio work, students gain experience applying communication strategies to public relations, journalism, marketing, corporate communication, and advocacy, preparing them to manage public messaging, shape brand identity, and navigate crises.

An urban planning major studies how cities and regions are designed, developed, and managed to meet social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural needs. Students learn to analyze land use patterns, transportation systems, housing markets, and public spaces using quantitative methods like GIS mapping, statistical analysis, and modeling, alongside qualitative approaches such as community engagement and policy evaluation. Coursework typically covers zoning and regulatory frameworks, urban economics, environmental planning, sustainable development, and site design, teaching students to balance competing interests and plan for growth, resilience, and equity. Practical skills include drafting plans, conducting impact assessments, facilitating public meetings, and preparing development proposals, while internships and studio projects give hands-on experience working with government agencies, nonprofits, or private firms to address real-world planning challenges.

A social work major prepares students to support individuals, families, groups, and communities facing personal, social, and systemic challenges. Coursework covers human development, social welfare policy, research methods, ethics, and culturally competent practice, teaching students how poverty, racism, trauma, mental illness, and other structural factors affect wellbeing. Students learn assessment and intervention skills, including interviewing, case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, and evidence-based therapies, and they practice building professional relationships, setting goals, and coordinating services across health, education, and legal systems. Field placements offer supervised, hands-on experience in settings such as hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, and community organizations, allowing students to apply theory to real cases, develop critical thinking, and navigate confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Graduates leave with practical communication and documentation skills, an understanding of social policy and program design, and readiness for licensure and roles that promote social justice and client-centered care.