Social Sciences Program of Study

Every effort is made to ensure this information is current, but please be aware that some content may have changed. There is no substitute for developing a careful course registration plan in consultation with your advisor. The class sequence listed is suggested only. The final decision rests with the student and academic advisor.

2023-24 Academic Year

Students should plan to complete some courses during summer school if they wish to complete graduation requirements in a four-year period. Students are encouraged to consider taking a foreign language as part of their General Studies program. (See appropriate section of catalog.)  

Students must select:

• An 18-hour primary area of emphasis that includes: criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, or sociology
• 18 hours which includes 3 hours from each social sciences program outside the primary emphasis (CJA, ECO, GEO, HIS, POS, PSY, SOC)
• 18 hours of electives from any of the SSC areas, with a maximum of 12 additional hours in any area outside the primary emphasis
• SSC 485 Social Sciences Senior Seminar (1)

Note: At least 50% of the hours in the major must be upper level courses (300 or above).

Freshman - 1st semester
ENG 102 English Composition Skills (General Studies CAT 1) (3)
HIS 150 History of the U.S. (General Studies CAT 5) (3)
PSY 101 General Psychology or SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
General Studies CAT 3 or CAT 7 (3-5)
General Studies CAT 4, CAT 6, CAT 8, CAT 9, or CAT 10 (3)

Freshman - 2nd semester
CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication (General Studies CAT 2) (3)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or PSY 101 General Psychology (3)
General Studies CAT 3 or CAT 7 (3-5)
General Studies CAT 4, CAT 6, CAT 8, CAT 9, or CAT 10 (3)
*History and social science elective (3)

Sophomore - 1st semester
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or PSY 101 General Psychology for social sciences program by advisement (3)
*History and social science elective(s) (6)
Major course(s) (3)
General Studies CAT 4, CAT 6, CAT 8, CAT 9, or CAT 10 (3)

Sophomore - 2nd semester
General Studies CAT 4, CAT 6, CAT 8, CAT 9, or CAT 10 (3)
Major (primary emphasis) courses (3-9)
Major courses (3-9)

Junior - 1st semester
General Studies CAT 4, CAT 6, CAT 8, CAT 9, or CAT 10 (3)
Elective (3)
*History and social science elective(s) (3-6)

Junior – 2nd semester
Major (primary emphasis) courses (6-9)
Major courses (3-6)
Elective (3)

Senior
Senior Capstone Experiences (3)

Continue coursework to fulfill remaining major (primary emphasis) and graduation requirements.

*History and social science electives:
CJA 105 Intro to Criminal Justice (3)
GEO 120 World Regional Geography or GEO 130 Physical Geography (3)
ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
HIS 170 World Civilization I or HIS 180 The American Experience I (3)
POS 100 American National Government or POS 110 Intro to World Politics (3)