Career Opportunities for Social Sciences

Jennie Kroeger

What is Social Science?

"Social Sciences" is a broad term used to describe the study of people based on groups or specific categories. The purview of a social sciences degree spans many career opportunities and fields, including political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, and economics, among many others. The idea behind a social sciences degree or career path is that the student will have an expert understanding of specific groups, statistics, behaviors, and phenomenon in society that they'll take into their career. Career paths are abound in the social sciences field. You can become a presidential advisor with a degree in political science. You can help guide at-risk youth as a counselor with a degree in sociology. Additionally, you can become a criminal forensic analyst or an archeologist with a specialized degree in social science. The options are endless, dependent on what your focus is. For those who elect to teach the social sciences, there are also ample career opportunities. A Ph.D. or doctorate in social science education allows you teach at the university level, working with students to increase their understanding of their specific field - whether that is political science, economics, or sociology. Social science education is a both a personally rewarding and financially fruitful career path. Not only are you able to help guide and influence students in a field you're passionate about, but you can have a very comfortable living. According to a study by the College and University Professional Associate for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) looking at the 2012-2013 school year, assistant and associate professors stand to make in the $50k to $70k range with a masters degree or higher: (source) Obviously, the salary goes up the further you go in the field. But a Ph.D. in social science affords you many more options than professor or researcher at the university level. There are a wealth of job opportunities in different industries. There are CEOs, politicians, business magnates, research fellows - all who started out with a degree in social sciences. Here's a list. With the abundance of Ph.D. programs and the broad nature of social sciences, a Ph.D. in social science has the ability to take you anywhere you want to go. Learn More About Our Ph.D. in Social Science