Social science careers can be rewarding, both personally and professionally. If you’re interested in helping others, a social science degree can help you excel in a burgeoning field with diverse career options and a favorable employment outlook.
A good time to pursue social science careers
If you like the idea of helping people—and entering a field with promising job prospects—pursuing a social science degree is a wise choice.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social science careers are projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028 — faster than the average for all other occupations — and about 97,400 new jobs will be created.1
What can you do with a social science degree?
A social science degree can lead to a variety of social science careers that can help you make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and their communities. Equipped with a social science degree, you can pursue a career in a variety of vocations,* including but not limited to:
- Social worker
- Organizational consultant
- Mental health counselor
- Psychologist
- Professor
- Social service manager
- Law enforcement professional
- Legislative aide
Types of social science degrees
Generally speaking, social science degrees can encompass many fields: psychology, counseling, social work, human services, public administration, and criminal justice.
In order to pursue your chosen social science career, many colleges and universities offer specializations within these programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Walden University offers more than 100 specialized areas within its psychology, human services, social work, and counseling social science degree programs, as well as its criminal justice and public policy and administration programs.
Social science degree accreditation
Some social science careers in areas such as counseling, psychology, and social work require licensure, which means you need to earn a degree from an accredited program.
Walden is one of the few higher education institutions to offer the following Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)–accredited programs online: PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision; and MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Social science career satisfaction
From mental health counselors to law enforcement officers, social science professionals draw satisfaction from knowing that their work makes a positive difference in others’ lives. A 2017 study by the American Psychological Association showed that 93 percent of surveyed psychologists are satisfied with their jobs.2
Choosing the right university to pursue a social science degree can be overwhelming. If you’re already working, online programs can provide the flexibility you need to finish your degree program and build your career at the same time. And with a global learning community and high-quality curriculum, online learning can be rigorous and satisfying. According to a 2018 Walden University graduate survey, more than eight out of 10 (86.7%) student respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with Walden.
Social science careers are booming—and they make communities stronger. Are you ready to help others with a social science degree? Explore Walden’s diverse social science degree programs. Our psychology, human services, social work, and counseling programs, as well as our criminal justice and public policy and administration programs, can be your first step to a rewarding career in helping others.
1 Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/home.htm
2 Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/03/datapoint
*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Accreditation Statement:
Walden University’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision; MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; and MS in Mental Health Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states.
Note on Licensure:
The MS in Mental Health Counseling; MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling; and MS in Addiction Counseling programs are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure issues, however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed counseling professional.