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Social Science Disciplines

People have always studied one another's behaviors and attitudes. However, European and American academics only started from one another at the turn of the 20th century. This process is ongoing as experts argue about how to categorize established fields and whether to include new disciplines that emerge.

The following list shows the disciplines that are generally accepted to be social sciences. We discuss some key details about each, along with possible alternate ways to classify them.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the broad study of humanity, which makes it a quintessential social science. Anthropologists chart the progression of human evolution and examine the cultures humans have created along the way. 

According to data from the analytics company, , the top industries seeking anthropology graduates in the past year were higher education, architecture and engineering, and family and social services. 

Geography

Geography is partly a natural or physical science and partly a social science. Some geographers focus on the physical features of the Earth and environment, but others specialize in — the interaction between people and the environment. 

Similar to anthropology graduates, human geography students may find work in education and social services, including overseas nonprofit organizations. 

Economics

Economics is the study of money and commerce. Students in economics programs or finance degrees typically learn about how individuals, groups, companies, and governments make and spend money. So, it's no surprise that many alumni go into finance, insurance, and management. Lightcast lists credit cards, insurance, and accounting and tax preparation as the top industries for economics graduates in the last 12 months.

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York suggests that economics majors are the highest paid social science specialists at both the early- and mid-career levels.

History

Historians examine, interpret, and contextualize the past. All social sciences draw on history to some extent, whether it's using case studies to draw conclusions or tracing the progress of certain social or economic trends over time.

History degrees come in all levels. Because the past is such a broad topic, most history students choose a concentration to help focus their studies, which might be a particular region, time period, or issue.

Law

Scholars dispute whether to include law in the social sciences. Law is the study of enforceable rules that govern societies, so there is at least plenty of between legal scholarship and social science. 

Many undergraduate law students earn further degrees or certifications and go on to careers as paralegals, lawyers, law enforcement officers, or policy analysts. If you know your career path ahead of time, you can study to earn a paralegal certificate or a law enforcement degree. 

Linguistics

Linguistics is a the social sciences, physical sciences, and humanities. Some linguists are interested in the physical mechanics behind speech sounds, but others study how people in different cultures use language to communicate. 

Political Science

Political science is the social science that details human political behavior. As such, alumni of political science degree programs often seek careers in politics, public policy, and law. They might choose an academic concentration to help them specialize, such as international relations or comparative politics (the study of political systems across cultures).

Psychology

Psychology is one of the in the U.S., suggesting that many people are interested in the inner workings of human minds. 

This broad subject leaves plenty of room for specialization in focused areas. These areas include industrial-organizational psychology, which seeks to organize safe and effective workplaces, and forensic psychology, which applies psychological insights to criminal justice. Some specializations cross over with the physical sciences; for example, neuroscience researchers typically need doctoral-level expertise in biochemistry. 

Psychology degree programs range from associate to doctoral. Graduates enter a wide range of psychology careers because professors teach a number of transferable skills, and a knowledge of human behavior is potentially useful in most fields. However, you need a doctorate if you want to be a licensed psychologist performing therapy.

Sociology

Sociologists analyze social groups of various sizes to pick apart why and how they function. As with other social sciences, a sociology degree often teaches transferable skills that are useful in a variety of fields. Graduates might find themselves in the social services field but also in fields such as law, education, and business.

Popular Social Science Majors

We calculated the number of degrees conferred in each social science discipline at each degree level in 2020 (the most recent available year). We used data because the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) classifies the social sciences as a whole rather than as individual disciplines. 

Below features our findings:

Number of Degrees Granted by Degree Level

Social Science Classes

Your degree's curriculum will differ by degree level and major. With that in mind, we've chosen to list just a few courses common to a bachelor's degree in each discipline. You'll learn more advanced theoretical concepts and research methods if you pursue graduate school, and you'll write longer and more detailed research papers.

Each social science degree features coursework that may help build skills in data gathering and analysis, critical thinking, and clear writing and communication.

Anthropology degree

• Cultural Anthropology 
• Ethics and Appropriation in Anthropology
• Human Biology and Evolution in Anthropology

Economics degree

• Economic Data Analysis
• Macroeconomics
• Statistics for Economics

Geography degree

• Cultural Geography
• Geographic Iformation Systems 
• Urban and Regional Planning

History degree

• Historical Research Methods
• Early Global History
• The United States Since 1865

Criminal Justice degree

• Criminal and Civil Procedure
• Law in Theory and Practice
• Legal Ethics

Linguistics degree

• Language Learning
• The Neuroscience of Psycholinguistics
• Phonetics and Syntax

Political Science degree

• Comparative Politics and Governance
• Global Political Economy
• Political Science and Political Theory

Psychology degree

• Biology and Behavior
• Mental Development Across the Lifespan
• Personality

Sociology degree

• Ethnographic Research
• Healthcare Sociology
• Race, Class, and Gender

What Are the Easiest Social Science Classes?

There's no absolute answer to this question, but you're more likely to find subjects easy if they're interesting to you. Research shows that people are more willing to put in extra effort when studying engaging subjects, which might pay off in better grades.

Social Science Jobs

Employers across sectors hire social science graduates either for their expertise or because they appreciate the emphasis these subjects place on soft skills. Reviewing the pages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we find that many social science students enter the law, education, and business or management fields. 

In all, lawyer is the number one profession for students of history, law, and social science (which is a BLS classification combining political science, economics, sociology, and anthropology). Becoming a lawyer has a very specific educational path: No matter what you study as an undergraduate, you need to attend law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Then you must pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice.

Is a Social Science Degree Worth It?

Social science degrees are usually worth the cost and effort it takes to earn a diploma. In most cases, dividends by increasing alumni salary prospects and reducing their chances of unemployment. Social science programs are often good bets because they tend to teach useful soft skills alongside their subject matter. One study from the UK found that social science graduates had than STEM majors, though this research is from 2013.

Naturally, this isn't a guarantee: College is expensive and not everybody is suited to academia. But if you're set on earning a degree, you might consider one of the social sciences as you weigh your options.

FAQs About Social Sciences

Bottom Line

Social sciences involve the study of different human behaviors and processes, including cognition, group organization, language, and politics. The lines between disciplines are sometimes blurry, with several fields crossing partially into the humanities and hard sciences. Psychology is the most popular social science major among undergraduates, though many social science alumni pursue law degrees in graduate school.