Social Sciences
Explore Society and Shape Your Future
The Social Sciences program at WSU Vancouver offers the only bachelor’s degree in social sciences in Southwest Washington. This multidisciplinary program combines the deep research capabilities of a large public university with the personalized faculty attention of a small liberal arts college. Students investigate how social structures, economic systems, and political institutions influence individual behavior and drive societal change. By analyzing the data behind social theories, majors develop a versatile foundation to address complex, real-world challenges.
The flexible curriculum allows students to customize their education across multiple disciplines, making it an ideal choice for broad thinkers. Whether preparing for diverse career fields or utilizing the coursework as a comprehensive pre-law foundation, students learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and interpret quantitative information effectively.
Career Paths for Combined Skills
Social science majors pursue a wide variety of careers. Because their studies are broad and diverse, they are often better prepared to change careers or to advance in a field when advancement requires combining skills.
Alumni have succeeded in many fields, such as business, law, international services, politics and government, social work, sports management, and teaching.
Program Learning Outcomes
With a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, you will learn to:
- Integrate knowledge from the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to apply to real-life scenarios.
- Search, select, analyze, and use information to solve current societal challenges.
- Obtain, assimilate, and use quantitative information in a variety of ways.
- Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively.
- Understand the impact and importance to society of ethics, aesthetics, and diversity.