Bachelor of Arts in Social Science

The social science major offers students an opportunity to focus their studies primarily in psychology, sociology, history, and related social science fields. Optional concentrations are available in health and human services management, human services and psychology.

Course Requirements: (51 credits)

At least 9 credits in history, including 6 or more credits at the 300-level or higher
At least 9 credits in psychology, including 6 or more at the 300-level or higher
At least 9 credits in sociology, including 6 or more at the 300-level or higher
At least 6 credits in multidisciplinary social science, selected from the following courses:

• LIB 309I, LIB 318I, LIB 320I, LIB 323I, LIB 325I

At least 6 credits in cross cultural perspectives, selected from the following courses:

• ANT 101, HIS 103, HIS 104, LIB 320I, LIB 334I, LIB 370I, SOC 308, SOC 315

At least 3 credits in political science
At least 3 credits in economics or courses specifically related to the economics of providing human services, selected from the following courses:

• ECO 100, ECO 203, ECO 204, HCA/SOC 310

LIB 301 Liberal Arts Seminar (Social Science)
One of the following four courses:

• MAT332 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• PSY 320 Research Methods in Social Sciences
• HCA/PSY 321 Program Evaluation
• PSY 322 Quantitative Assessment

The social science major also requires the completion of a minimum of 42 credits at the 300-level or higher.

(Note: A single course may apply to only one of the nine requirement areas in the major. Some courses may also apply to general education requirements.)

Health and Human Services Management Concentration

The Health and Human Services Management concentration provides an interdisciplinary course of study for students in the social science major. This concentration provides the educational credentials to fill "front-line" management roles entailing the direct supervision of other human service professionals. Students selecting this concentration are required to complete specific courses including a business course component. Students pursuing the Health and Human Services Management concentration or core may pattern their course work to complete the requirements for Nursing Home Administration licensure in the state of Iowa. Interested students should contact Dr. Barbara Philibert.

History (9 credits):

Same requirements as listed under Social Science major

Psychology (9-10 credits):

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology OR
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood

• PSY 301 Social Psychology OR
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology OR
• PSY 320 Research Methods and Statistics

Sociology (9 credits, including 6 or more at the 300 level or higher):

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
• BUS 303 Human Resource Management (course fulfills requirement in place of one 300 level sociology course.)
• Any 300 level sociology course not fulfilling another requirement

Multidisciplinary Social Science Courses (6 credits):

• SOC 320 Public Policy & Social Services

• LIB 318I Peacemaking: The Study of Conflict Resolution OR
• PSY/SOC 309 Special Topic in Human Services

Cross Cultural Perspectives Courses (6 credits):

• SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups OR
• SOC 315 Cross Cultural Perspectives

One of the following courses:

• ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• HIS 103 World Civilizations I
• HIS 104 World Civilizations II
• LIB 320-I Global Socioeconomic Perspectives.
• SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups
• SOC 315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Political Science (3 credits):

• POL 201 American National Government

Economics (3 credits):

• HCA/SOC 310 Funding Health and Human Services

Methods Course (3 credits):

• HCA/PSY 321 Program Evaluation

Seminar requirements (3 credits)

• HCA/SOC 340 Managing in Health and Human Service: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Accounting (6 credits):

• ACC 205 Principles of Accounting I
• ACC 206 Principles of Accounting II

Philosophy (3 credits):

• PHI 402 Business Ethics

Health Care Internship

• HCA 402 (3-6 credits)

Human Services Concentration

The optional concentration in human services gives an applied emphasis to the major. Students selecting the human services concentration are required to complete specific courses within most of the nine requirement pools in the social science major.

History: (9 credits)

Same requirements as listed under Social Science major.

Psychology: (9 credits)

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
• PSY 304 Lifespan Development (or equivalent)
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology: Methods of Applied Psychology

Sociology: (9 credits)

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 312 Child, Family and Society
• SOC 320 Public Policy and Social Services

Elective Social Science Courses (15 credits)

• PSY 301 Social Psychology
• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology
• SOC 330 Social Justice and Society
• SOC 340 Managing Health and Human Services
• LIB 318 Peacemaking
• SOC 308 Racial and Ethnic Groups
• SOC 315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood
• SOC 304 Social Gerontology
• CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice
• SOC 305 Crime and Society

Political Science: (3 credits)

• POL 201 American National Government

Economics: (3 credits)

At least 3 credits in economics or courses specifically related to the economics of providing human services, selected from the following courses:

• ECO 100, ECO 203, ECO 204, SOC 310

Methods course: (3 credits)

• MAT 332 Introduction to Probability & Statistics
• PSY 320 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• PSY 321 Program Evaluation
• PSY 322 Quantitative Assessment

Seminar and Practicum: (6 credits)

• LIB 307 Social Science Seminar
• PSY/SOC 421 Human Service Practicum

Psychology Concentration

The Psychology concentration requires the courses listed below in addition to the other courses required for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Courses listed will be applied to the psychology course requirement of the Social Science major.

Required Courses:

• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
• PSY 304 Lifespan Development
• PSY 497 Psychology Capstone

Three courses selected from the following:

• PSY 301 Social Psychology
• PSY 302 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 305 Sports Psychology
• PSY 311 Counseling Psychology
• PSY 317 Cognition in Late Adulthood
• PSY 323 Perception, Learning, and Cognition
• PSY 350 Physiological Psychology

Sociology Concentration

The Sociology concentration provides Social Science majors and opportunity for greater emphasis on sociology more as a part of their major studies and allows them to document a sociology-based program at the undergraduate level.

Sociology concentrators must meet the general requirements for the Social Science major, as well as the following:

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
• LIB 320-I Global Socioeconomic Perspectives
• 5 Upper division SOC courses

Courses in the concentration may also apply, where appropriate, to the General Education and major requirements.

History Concentration

The History concentration provides Social Science majors an opportunity for greater emphasis on history in their major studies and allows them to document a history-based program at the undergraduate level.

History concentrators must meet the general requirements for the Social Science major, as well as complete 21 credits from the following:

• HIS 103: World Civilizations I (3 credits) OR
• HIS 104: World Civilizations II (3 credits)

• HIS 203: American History to 1865 (3 credits) OR
• HIS 204: American History since 1866 (3 credits)

• LIB 325-I: The Civil War in American Culture (3 credits)
• 4 upper level HIS courses (12 credits)

Courses in the concentration may also apply, where appropriate, to General Education and major requirements.