15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Science

In addition to Seattle, the University of Washington, founded in 1861, has two other campus locations in Tacoma and Bothell. In total, the combined campuses educate around 52,000 students annually.

The University of Washington’s bachelor’s in integrated social science is a fully online program with both full and part-time options. All of the courses you’ll take were developed specifically for this degree program. They include:

• Social Science Theory in Context
• Survey of Social Science Methods
• Introduction to Portfolios in the Social Sciences

Students benefit from a unique academic experience. Courses are divided into seven thematic areas of inquiry. These areas provide students with a comprehensive education. Some examples of these areas include:

• Information and Technology
• Health and Risk
• Conflict and Cooperation

Interested in applying? The application process is straight forward. Students must complete an online application form and a personal statement. Official transcripts from any college or university attended are also required. SAT and ACT scores are optional.

Belonging to the State University System of Florida, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is located in Orange County. Campus comprises 13 academic schools and colleges, with students choosing from over 230 programs. A total of over 68,000 students are enrolled, making this one of the bigger institutions in the nation. 

This is another online social sciences degree program, with a range of minors available for supplementing your curriculum and tailoring your studies toward your intended career. Students must explore three social sciences disciplines while in the program. These include options in the areas of:

• anthropology
• communications
• political science
• psychology
• sociology
• women’s and gender studies 

The innovative social sciences degree program prepares students to think outside the box. Students learn how to analyze situations from different perspectives. Graduates are prepared for advanced study in almost any social science field.

Thanks to the online-based fee reductions, you’ll pay less than a campus-based cohort, but the online program meets the same quality standards as the traditional one. You will also receive success coaching to ensure that you integrate well with all facets of academic student life, supporting you with everything from admissions to graduation. 

Belonging to the University System of Maryland campuses, the Global Campus (UMGC) offers online programs for students who need a more flexible study schedule. Almost every course offers digital course materials at no extra cost, resulting in considerable student savings.

Comprising 120 credits and running for four years when studied full-time, UMGC’s social science degree program offers all courses online, though some are also available in a hybrid format. You’ll choose from four focus areas to align the program with your career interests. These options include:

• anthropology
• gerontology
• psychology
• sociology 

Your core courses will provide you with a grounding in social sciences. The majority of the rest of your curriculum will depend on the degree focus that you choose; for a more detailed breakdown of available courses, check out this page and click on the “degree focus” tab. 

Graduates leave the program with the skills needed to analyze complex data and communicate social science concepts to a variety of audiences. They are able to use theoretical approaches to analyze complex issues which they’ll face in the workplace.

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the West. Located in Pullman, the university offers almost 100 different undergraduate majors, in addition to research opportunities and internships that provide hands-on experience. For students continuing to graduate-level study, there are 78 master’s programs and 68 doctoral degrees. 

Taught by the WSU College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University’s Global Campus offers a bachelor’s degree in social science. It’s marketed as one of WSU’s most flexible online programs, allowing you to select a wide range of concentrations, disciplines, and more. 

With 11 concentrations available, you’ll be able to choose from disciplines that include:

• administrative studie
• human development
• psychology
• sociology

There are two start dates, one in May and another in fall, with applications due by April 14 and July 23 respectively. 

Kansas State University was founded in 1863 as the public higher education institute in the state. The student body comprises around 19,000 learners, and the university provides access to more than 250 undergraduate majors and other programs.

With this social science bachelor’s degree, you’ll choose four concentrations from a list of nine, leading to a broad degree that can lead you into numerous careers. The nine concentrations available are:

• anthropology
• economics
• geography
• history
• mass communications
• political science
• psychology
• sociology
• gender, women and sexuality studies

You’ll also study 45 credit hours’ worth of electives, giving you further opportunities to customize your degree plan. In total, you’ll complete 120 credits in this program, with all courses being offered fully online for remote learning.

California State University, Chico is the second oldest campus belonging to the California State University system, founded in 1887. More than 14,000 students attend this campus annually.

California State University’s bachelor’s degree in social science is an online degree completion program. You’ll complete between 36 and 42 credit hours through Chico Distance & Online Education, gaining the rest from a local community college. There is an additional Bachelor of Arts degree available in sociology. 

Your curriculum is broken down into two options, which are multidisciplinary studies and specialization studies. The first option explores subjects including behavioral sciences and history in the context of different world contexts, while the second option branches further into seven areas of concentration. These areas include:

• anthropology
• career and life planning
• child development
• community organizing for social change
• environmental planning
• family relations
• gerontology

Students who want to gain a California teaching credential should choose the first option. 

Located in Troy, Alabama, Troy University was founded in 1887. Today, it is the flagship university of the Troy University System. The student body represents more than 80 nations across the world, speaking the same number of languages cumulatively. There’s also access to scholarships, internships, and numerous student involvement and leadership opportunities. 

Troy’s social science major has 3 possible concentrations including:

• general social science
• geography
• leadership

The social science concentration pairs well with a dual major in education, while the remaining two are suitable for global and regional politics, and future management careers, respectively. 

In addition to the above, you’ll have the opportunity to select your courses from 7 key areas, including:

• anthropology
• geography
• sociology
• psychology
• history
• economics
• political science

There is also an accelerated law option available, which is the first program of its type to be made available in Alabama. Through partnership with law schools, you could gain your bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor within 6 years. 

Comprising around 332 acres of campus space, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university in Paradise, Nevada. Students choose from more than 300 majors. And if you’ve not yet chosen yours, you can find a career and major assessment tool on the university’s website to help you choose your path. 

At UNLV, you’ll work with a student advisor to carefully plan your program curriculum and align it with your interests and career goals. In your final year, you’ll also complete a capstone course that consists of a project, presentation, and research paper. 

Available as both an online and traditional, campus-based program, the degree comprises 120 credits. This includes 38-41 hours of general education requirements that will give you a foundation in English, math, and other essential subjects. When selecting your electives, you’ll be able to specialize in specific areas, including:

• gender and sexuality
• Asian and Asian American studies
• psychology
• sociology

Founded in 1918 and gaining university status in 1987, Dickinson State University, located in Dickinson, North Dakota, has a range of new technology and laboratories for students to benefit from. The institution also has a low student to faculty ratio, so class sizes are kept small. 

Delivered in a flexible online format, this Bachelor of Arts in composite social science is geared toward public service roles in government agencies and social service organizations. Common careers for graduates include:

• public administration
• social worker
• police officer
• community service manager

In total, you’ll complete 120 credits in this program. 

In addition to the general education, major, and minor requirements of this program, students are expected to fulfill a foreign language requirement. You will also need to complete the composite social science major requirements, unless you choose to follow the composite social science criminal justice track.

Founded in 1831 and located in New York City, New York University also boasts campuses in both Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. In addition to these foreign locations, NYU has 11 other study-away sites worldwide. In fact, more students study internationally at NYU than any other university in the U.S. 

This bachelor’s degree in social science is available online with a concentration in either economics or organizational behavior and change. You’ll study some of the more socially, culturally, and politically relevant debates in our modern society, in addition to the historical contexts behind them. 

Your core courses will ensure that you have a solid foundation in the liberal arts, in addition to key skills like critical thinking and analytical reasoning. You’ll also choose electives and complete a capstone project alongside a faculty advisor. You’ll complete both asynchronous and live online classes, networking with students around the world.

Southeast Missouri State University provides undergraduate students with more than 145 majors and 100 minors to choose from. Graduate students have access to 75 different programs. In total, around 10,000 students attend annually, with internships and other practical learning opportunities provided in every major program offered by Southeast. 

Southeast’s bachelor’s degree in social sciences is a fully online program that’s designed to fit around adult schedules. Your curriculum is flexible in allowing you to select concentrations that best align with your current career or the one you’re seeking. Students choose from seven areas in which to specialize. These include:

• psychology
• economics
• sociology
• anthropology
• criminal justice
• history
• political science

Depending on your preferences, there are courses available lasting for 4, 8, or 16 weeks. You could even complete your degree more quickly by transferring prior earned credits. In particular, the program is geared toward students who have an interest in careers in research and analysis, and human resources, though it also caters to future law enforcement professionals. As a fully online program, tuition runs a little lower than average and is cheaper than studying on-campus. For more information on any additional fees, look to the fee schedule on the university’s website.

Portland State University (PSU) is located in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1946 as a primary site of post-secondary education for war veterans. Today, the university offers more than 200 degree programs.

PSU offers both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in social science. Both programs comprise 180 total credits, and both can also be studied either fully online or as a traditional, campus-based program. There’s also a hybrid option for students who want the convenience of remote study without missing out on the campus experience. 

Areas of emphasis in the curriculum at PSU include:

• black studies
• Chicano/Latino studies
• international studies
• political science
• systems science

You can find the full list here, in addition to more information on how the curriculums for each program differ. Both programs fall under accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 

Founded in 1891, Central Washington University is a hub for international students, with strong partnerships with 30 higher education institutions worldwide. With a commitment to hands-on learning, there are plenty of opportunities for internships and other practical training.

When enrolling in this social sciences major at Central Washington University, you’ll work with a student advisor to select the courses that align best with your academic and professional goals. As a varied curriculum, you could enter numerous careers after graduation, with past graduates having gone on to work in:

• government
• business
• social work
• human services
• nonprofits

Officially titled Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies – social sciences, the program is intentionally kept broad. You’ll be expected to select a minimum of three disciplines, with courses covering:

• history
• health education
• ethnic studies
• economics
• political science
• psychology
• public health

Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, SUNY Empire State College was founded in 1971. Is it accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and provides flexible online study via more than 100 degree and certificate programs. Undergraduates choose from 12 areas of study that lead to both associate and bachelor’s awards. 

This program will have you explore the historical contexts, theories, and methods surrounding issues in modern society. You’ll prepare for roles in which you’ll implement policies that address them. Throughout your studies, you’ll develop the strong research and communications skills needed by a social sciences graduate and professional. 

With both online and campus-based study options available, the program’s most popular concentrations include:

• sociology
• social theory
• public policy
• political science
• women’s studies

Whether choosing a single area of focus or opting for an interdisciplinary concentration, you’ll earn your degree in around four years via full-time study. You can check out the tuition page on the university’s website.

Located in Kapolei, Hawaii, the University of Hawaii-West Oahu is one of ten campus locations belonging to the University of Hawaii System. Founded in 1976, the university attracts around 3,000 undergraduates annually, with average class sizes of around 20 students. Programs focus on professional disciplines, including:

• hospitality and tourism
• creative media
• health sciences 

This institution offers a range of programs in the social sciences, including three bachelor’s degrees that are available as distance-learning programs. These provide the option to concentrate in:

• early childhood education
• political science
• psychology

The three social sciences programs are designed as transfer programs for those who have already completed two years of coursework at the institution, a local community college in the UH system, or another accredited college or university across the U.S. Each comprises 120 credit hours and awards a bachelor’s degree.