To find out what you can do with a social science degree, start by looking at the different tracks and areas available to graduates. For example, NLU students who pursue a B.A. in Social Science receive a flexible education that emphasizes the impact of society and social institutions on human behavior and the improvement of lives. Continuing in the classroom is a common track for graduates of NLU’s program, which has excellent placement rates for those who are interested in teaching secondary education in social science.

Other graduates can look forward to entering careers in a broad range of public-facing organizations, 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

One popular career path for graduates in the social sciences is that of sociologist. Sociologists look at human behavior in groups and how the world and social institutions shape human interactions. Their work usually entails significant amounts of research, data collection and analysis. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, their typical duties include designing research projects, collecting data, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data, preparing reports and articles, and collaborating with others on research findings and sociological issues.²

A sociologist earns an average $61,825 annual salary, according to Payscale.³ The job outlook appears largely static from 2014 to 2024.⁴ Non-Ph.D. sociologists without the official title will find less job competition for parallel work in positions in social services, education, healthcare, public policy or other areas.⁵

• B.A. in Social Science