Social Sciences
Apart from engineers, lawyers and accountants, the world needs journalists, film makers, historians, archeologists etc. for fostering progressive culture, policies and welfare programs. Social science degrees worldwide are becoming more and more popular. The interdisciplinary nature of coursework and connect to humane problems appeals to students who wish to pursue social science degrees.
Anthropology, Latin American studies, Philosophy, political science, sociology, international studies, etc. – Imagine having all of the aforementioned and more as options in your degree to choose from. A social science degree throws a plethora of opportunities in front of the student. Undergraduate students can choose a major of their liking amongst these and more and can also choose minors such as business of music, cognitive science, economics, entrepreneurship etc. Graduate students can too can choose from the wide-range of subjects and earn a Master of Arts degree.
The USA factor
The USA has over 5,000 colleges and universities from which students of high intellect and caliber graduate. Universities in USA offer a challenging yet rewarding atmosphere for students to grow. Students who study the social sciences in USA have the advantage of meeting with and interacting with students from diverse backgrounds, experience and interest. This directly adds to their learning experience at the university. The kind of diversity, multi-disciplinary coursework, career opportunities offered in a university in USA is hardly found anywhere else.
Social science courses are not only studies because of the different concentrations that are provided by the university but also because of the skills they help a student to cultivate. International students when combine their domestic experience with US education, the result is an improved problem solving ability and a more comprehensive understanding social issues, both domestic and abroad.
Degrees awarded and curriculum offered
Undergraduate students can choose from Bachelor in Arts or Bachelors in Science, in fact at times both the degrees are available for the same subject. Studyusa.com explains the difference between the two degrees:
“BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts degree offers students a broader education in their major. Students are required to take a variety of liberal art subjects such as humanities, literature, history, social sciences, communications, and a foreign language. Students can select from a diverse list of courses that fulfill each liberal arts requirement. This allows students to actively mold their education to their interests. A BA degree provides a more diverse education in a particular major, therefore, a BA degree generally requires less credits than a BS degree. For example, the University of Washington (UW) offers a BA and BS in Psychology. A BA in Psychology from UW requires less mathematics and statistics courses than a BS in Psychology.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCES (BS)
A Bachelor of Science degree offers students a more specialized education in their major. Generally, a BS degree requires more credits than a BA degree because a BS degree is more focused in the specific major. Students are required to focus on studying their major at a more in-depth level. Students have fewer chances to take classes outside of their major. A BS degree is generally offered in technical and scientific topics like engineering, technology, mathematics, computer science, nursing, and biochemistry. Although a BS degree is generally offered in scientific degrees, many schools offer BS degrees in specialized fields, for example, Northeastern University offers a BS degree in Music with a concentration in Music Industry”
Students who wish to pursue a graduate program in social science may earn Masters of Arts (MA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Degree concentrations, such as U.S. government or domestic policy, international development, political philosophy and theory, political science, philosophy or sociology may be taken up by students. These programs are popular amongst students since they extend learning beyond mere textbooks making the course relevant to today’s world.
The right fit
Social sciences are in the heart of human interactions, art and history; hence a student must choose a university which is close to art and culture. This makes the location of the university extremely vital for social science students. The university and the location in general must also have strong academic culture to foster growth of the students. The topics of research at the university and the purpose of developments that the university encourages must tie with the student’s academic and career goals. Diversity in classrooms is also as important for inspired learning and cultivating peer learning. Cost of education and living costs must also play a pivotal role in deciding the right university.