Bachelor of Science
Social Science

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:

• Introduction to Cultural Anthropology(3 Credits, ANTH 102)
• Contemporary Issues in Aging(3 Credits, GERO 100)
• Introduction to Psychology(3 Credits, PSYC 100)
• Introduction to Sociology(3 Credits, SOCY 100)

Required Courses:

• Introduction to Social Sciences(3 Credits, BEHS 210)
• Diversity Awareness(3 Credits, BEHS 220) or Social Justice Movements(3 Credits, BEHS 250)
• Research Methods in the Social Sciences(3 Credits, BEHS 300)
• Social Science Capstone(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

• World Prehistory and Archaeology(3 Credits, ANTH 345)
• Anthropology of Language and Communication(3 Credits, ANTH 346)
• Health, Illness, and Healing(3 Credits, ANTH 350)
• Anthropology in Forensic Investigations(3 Credits, ANTH 351)

Gerontology

• Health and Aging(3 Credits, GERO 302)
• Gender and Aging(3 Credits, GERO 311)
• Culture and Aging(3 Credits, GERO 427)
• Psychosocial Aspects of Aging(3 Credits, GERO 320)

Psychology

• PSYC 321
• Psychology of Gender(3 Credits, PSYC 338)
• PSYC 351
• Cross-Cultural Psychology(3 Credits, PSYC 354)

Sociology

• The Individual and Society(3 Credits, SOCY 313)
• The Sociology of Gender(3 Credits, SOCY 325)
• Race and Ethnicity: A Global Perspective(3 Credits, SOCY 423)
• Contemporary Social Problems(3 Credits, SOCY 350)
  

Related Required Courses

The following related required course may be applied to general education or elective requirements.

• Introduction to Statistics(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

• Program and Career Exploration in Multidisciplinary Studies(3 Credits, PACE 111M)
  or Program and Career Exploration in Communication/Humanities(3 Credits, PACE 111C)
  or other PACE 111 course (to be taken in first 6 credits)
• Introduction to Research(1 Credit, LIBS 150)
  or Career Planning Management(1 Credit, CAPL 398A)
  or other general education elective
• Concepts and Applications of Information Technology(3 Credits, IFSM 201)
  or Digital Media and Society(3 Credits, CMST 301)
  or another computing course appropriate to the academic major

Communications Courses

• Academic Writing I(3 Credits, WRTG 111)
  or Research Writing(3 Credits, WRTG 291) or other writing course
• Academic Writing II(3 Credits, WRTG 112)
• Foundations of Oral Communication(3 Credits, SPCH 100)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course
• Advanced Research Writing(3 Credits, WRTG 391)
  or other advanced upper-level writing course

Math Course

• Topics for Mathematical Literacy(3 Credits, MATH 105)
  or other approved math or statistics course

Arts and Humanities Courses

• History of the United States Since 1865(3 Credits, HIST 157)
  or other arts and humanities course
• Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama(3 Credits, ENGL 240)
  or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course

Behavioral and Social Science Courses

• Principles of Macroeconomics(3 Credits, ECON 201)
  or Introduction to Psychology(3 Credits, PSYC 100)
  or other behavioral and social science course
• American Government(3 Credits, GVPT 170)
  or other behavioral and social science course

Biological and Physical Sciences Courses

• Concepts of Biology(3 Credits, BIOL 101)
  and Laboratory in Biology(1 Credit, BIOL 102)
  or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses
• Elements of Nutrition(3 Credits, NUTR 100)
  or Human Biology(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.