Bachelor of Science
Social Science
Social Science
Bachelor of ScienceAT A GLANCE
- 120 credits
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
TUITION
- $250 per credit hour
(Europe & Downrange)
See our Tuition Rates page for details.
Next Session Starts
June 14Study how cultures, organizations, and institutions function in our online social science degree program.
With a bachelor’s degree in social science from University of Maryland Global Campus, you'll gain perspectives from the fields of anthropology, the behavioral sciences, gerontology, psychology, and sociology. You'll also have the opportunity to drill down and focus on one of these fields to advance your professional experience. The curriculum, designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, combines theories with real-world applications and practical skills.
This program is also available as a minor.
- Courses
- Requirements
- Vertical Pathway
Total Credits Required: 120
- Required Major Courses: 30
- Minor and Elective Courses: 49
- General Education Courses: 41
Required Major Courses
Two introductory (100-level) social science courses (6), chosen from the following:
- (3 Credits, ANTH 102)
- (3 Credits, GERO 100)
- (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 100)
Required Courses:
- (3 Credits, BEHS 210)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 220) or (3 Credits, BEHS 250)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 300)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 495)
Upper-level ANTH, BEHS, GERO, PSYC, and SOCY courses (12 credits) - Focused study in anthropology, gerontology, psychology, or sociology recommended, as follows:
Anthropology
- (3 Credits, ANTH 345)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 346)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 350)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 351)
Gerontology
- (3 Credits, GERO 302)
- (3 Credits, GERO 311)
- (3 Credits, GERO 427)
- (3 Credits, GERO 320)
Psychology
- PSYC 321
- (3 Credits, PSYC 338)
- PSYC 351
- (3 Credits, PSYC 354)
Sociology
- (3 Credits, SOCY 313)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 325)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 423)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 350)
Related Required Courses
The following related required course may be applied to general education or elective requirements.
- (3 Credits, STAT 200)
A degree with a major in social science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). See overall degree requirements.
Research and Computer Literacy Courses
- (3 Credits, PACE 111M)
or (3 Credits, PACE 111C)
or other PACE 111 course (to be taken in first 6 credits) - (1 Credit, LIBS 150)
or (1 Credit, CAPL 398A)
or other general education elective - (3 Credits, IFSM 201)
or (3 Credits, CMST 301)
or another computing course appropriate to the academic major
Communications Courses
- (3 Credits, WRTG 111)
or (3 Credits, WRTG 291) or other writing course - (3 Credits, WRTG 112)
- (3 Credits, SPCH 100)
or other communication, writing, or speech course - (3 Credits, WRTG 391)
or other advanced upper-level writing course
Math Course
- (3 Credits, MATH 105)
or other approved math or statistics course
Arts and Humanities Courses
- (3 Credits, HIST 157)
or other arts and humanities course - (3 Credits, ENGL 240)
or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course
Behavioral and Social Science Courses
- (3 Credits, ECON 201)
or (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
or other behavioral and social science course - (3 Credits, GVPT 170)
or other behavioral and social science course
Biological and Physical Sciences Courses
- (3 Credits, BIOL 101)
and (1 Credit, BIOL 102)
or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses - (3 Credits, NUTR 100)
or (3 Credits, BIOL 160)
or other science lecture course
If you are pursuing a bachelor's degree from UMGC in computer science, English, history, social science, or general studies (with a minimum of a 30-credit specialization in social studies) or have taken other appropriate coursework (including biology and mathematics coursework), a vertical pathway between UMGC undergraduate and graduate programs allows you to reduce the total coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) by up to 12 credits—three courses, including the noncredit introductory course Orientation to Graduate Studies at UMGC (0 Credits, UCSP 615). This accelerated program option allows you to take graduate-level coursework before you complete your undergraduate degree.
To be eligible for this accelerated option, you must have completed the courses listed below before being accepted to the MAT program.
Foundations of Teaching for Learning (6 Credits, EDTP 500) substitutes for
Foundations of Teaching for Learning (6 Credits, EDTP 600)
Adolescent Development and Learning Needs (6 Credits, EDTP 535) substitutes for
Adolescent Development and Learning Needs (6 Credits, EDTP 635)
The 500-level courses listed above are the only courses eligible for the 12 articulated credits available through this vertical pathway. If completed with a grade of B or higher, the credits will apply to the MAT program. If successfully completed with a grade of C or lower, these credits apply toward the undergraduate degree only.
The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
Total Credits Required: 120
- Required Major Courses: 30
- Minor and Elective Courses: 49
- General Education Courses: 41
Required Major Courses
Two introductory (100-level) social science courses (6), chosen from the following:
- (3 Credits, ANTH 102)
- (3 Credits, GERO 100)
- (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 100)
Required Courses:
- (3 Credits, BEHS 210)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 220) or (3 Credits, BEHS 250)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 300)
- (3 Credits, BEHS 495)
Upper-level ANTH, BEHS, GERO, PSYC, and SOCY courses (12 credits) - Focused study in anthropology, gerontology, psychology, or sociology recommended, as follows:
Anthropology
- (3 Credits, ANTH 345)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 346)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 350)
- (3 Credits, ANTH 351)
Gerontology
- (3 Credits, GERO 302)
- (3 Credits, GERO 311)
- (3 Credits, GERO 427)
- (3 Credits, GERO 320)
Psychology
- PSYC 321
- (3 Credits, PSYC 338)
- PSYC 351
- (3 Credits, PSYC 354)
Sociology
- (3 Credits, SOCY 313)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 325)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 423)
- (3 Credits, SOCY 350)
Related Required Courses
The following related required course may be applied to general education or elective requirements.
- (3 Credits, STAT 200)
A degree with a major in social science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). See overall degree requirements.
Research and Computer Literacy Courses
- (3 Credits, PACE 111M)
or (3 Credits, PACE 111C)
or other PACE 111 course (to be taken in first 6 credits) - (1 Credit, LIBS 150)
or (1 Credit, CAPL 398A)
or other general education elective - (3 Credits, IFSM 201)
or (3 Credits, CMST 301)
or another computing course appropriate to the academic major
Communications Courses
- (3 Credits, WRTG 111)
or (3 Credits, WRTG 291) or other writing course - (3 Credits, WRTG 112)
- (3 Credits, SPCH 100)
or other communication, writing, or speech course - (3 Credits, WRTG 391)
or other advanced upper-level writing course
Math Course
- (3 Credits, MATH 105)
or other approved math or statistics course
Arts and Humanities Courses
- (3 Credits, HIST 157)
or other arts and humanities course - (3 Credits, ENGL 240)
or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course
Behavioral and Social Science Courses
- (3 Credits, ECON 201)
or (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
or other behavioral and social science course - (3 Credits, GVPT 170)
or other behavioral and social science course
Biological and Physical Sciences Courses
- (3 Credits, BIOL 101)
and (1 Credit, BIOL 102)
or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses - (3 Credits, NUTR 100)
or (3 Credits, BIOL 160)
or other science lecture course
If you are pursuing a bachelor's degree from UMGC in computer science, English, history, social science, or general studies (with a minimum of a 30-credit specialization in social studies) or have taken other appropriate coursework (including biology and mathematics coursework), a vertical pathway between UMGC undergraduate and graduate programs allows you to reduce the total coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) by up to 12 credits—three courses, including the noncredit introductory course Orientation to Graduate Studies at UMGC (0 Credits, UCSP 615). This accelerated program option allows you to take graduate-level coursework before you complete your undergraduate degree.
To be eligible for this accelerated option, you must have completed the courses listed below before being accepted to the MAT program.
Foundations of Teaching for Learning (6 Credits, EDTP 500) substitutes for
Foundations of Teaching for Learning (6 Credits, EDTP 600)
Adolescent Development and Learning Needs (6 Credits, EDTP 535) substitutes for
Adolescent Development and Learning Needs (6 Credits, EDTP 635)
The 500-level courses listed above are the only courses eligible for the 12 articulated credits available through this vertical pathway. If completed with a grade of B or higher, the credits will apply to the MAT program. If successfully completed with a grade of C or lower, these credits apply toward the undergraduate degree only.
The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
Program Highlights
Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.
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