Social Science Degree

B.A. in Social Science

National Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Science provides a broad understanding of human and social behavior emphasizing the interdisciplinary perspectives of anthropology, economics, history, political science and sociology combined with strong critical and analytical skills.  Under the B.A. in Social Science umbrella, NLU offers three tracks: a Preparation for Teaching Secondary Education track, a Comprehensive track and a Cohort track. 

Why NLU for Social Science Degree

Consider getting your Bachelor of Arts in Social Science at NLU if you:

  • Are interested in teaching secondary education in Social Science
  • Are looking for a flexible, accommodating degree program schedule
  • Want to understand people and social institutions in today’s society  

Students interested in social and human services typically have a strong desire to help improve lives—by working directly with people or by implementing community or government policies. At National Louis University (NLU), we embrace your desire to make your dreams a reality and make a difference in the world. NLU’s Social Science faculty are committed to developing in students the ability to critically analyze and synthesize ideas into a broad interdisciplinary world view. The multicultural and global perspectives offered by our Social Science program prepare you for success in today’s global society. 

We Make it Convenient to Earn Your Social Science Degree

NLU recognizes many students are balancing work and family while in school, so courses are scheduled to accommodate those important commitments. With a small class size model that provides students with a support network for study and professional development, students in NLU’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Science can count on a personalized education.  

What You Will Learn

  • An expanded understanding of social science theory and how it applies to professional practice
  • How to apply analytical and critical-thinking skills
  • How to use quantitative reasoning in the social sciences
  • How to provide appropriate experiences in social science for all students (teaching track)
  • How to teach high school students while taking into account their unique learning styles (teaching track)

Plus, students complete two independent study projects that provide an opportunity to research topics of interest, integrate course concepts and skills, and refine written and oral presentation techniques.

Career Outlook (Teaching Track)

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, employment for teachers is projected to grow about 13 percent between 2008 and 2018. Many job openings will continue to result from the need to replace the large number of teachers expected to retire during this same period. Currently, our country’s education schools don’t graduate an adequate number of qualified teachers to meet the demand, and job prospects are best in areas including urban and rural school districts.  

NLU has excellent placement rates for our education students, helping them find opportunities through the university’s Office of Career Services. NLU students are recognized by school principals as teachers who are comfortable in the classroom and work in collaboration with their colleagues.

Career Outlook (Comprehensive, Cohort Tracks)

At National Louis University, our Bachelor of Arts in Social Science program doesn’t lock you into a specific career. Your opportunities will be broad because members of our expert faculty encourage flexibility. The program focuses on understanding society and social institutions and on how this understanding informs our knowledge of human behavior and the improvement of lives. It is excellent preparation for a challenging career as well as for law or graduate school.

Graduates of the social science degree program often enter careers in a broad range of organizations that work with the public including:

  • social and community service organizations
  • criminal justice and law enforcement
  • federal, state and local government
  • public administration
  • politics
  • journalism
  • foreign service
  • human resource management
  • international agencies and businesses
  • educational institutions

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

 

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    800.443.5522

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  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    800.443.5522

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  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    800.443.5522

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  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    800.443.5522

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  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    800.443.5522

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  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Tampa campus serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, the campus features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

    4950 West Kennedy Blvd. #300
    Tampa, FL 33609
    800.366.6581 | www.nl.edu/florida

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  • WISCONSIN

    NLU's Milwaukee campus has a proud history of serving graduate students in education in southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly one in five certified Wisconsin teachers looks to NLU for graduate education programs – more than any other university in the state. In addition to classrooms with high-tech media equipment, the campus offers a state-of-the-art computer lab with wireless Internet access and an extensive IDS research library.

    12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
    Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
    414.577.2658

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