Is a Social Science Degree Right for You?

Navigating Undergrad Blog May 5, 2026

Social science is a broad academic field, not just one subject, and many people aren’t quite sure what it is.

Let’s break it down. It has something to do with people, as you probably know, and you might have heard it’s a “soft” field, especially compared to subjects like accounting or computer science. It might sound interesting, but people say it’s not practical when you’re looking for a job.

Even if you’re not sure what social science is, it’s an integral part of many professions. If you know someone who works in mental health, education, public policy, ministry, or business leadership, they’ve studied some form of social science.

And if you’re interested in work that involves helping people, it could be the perfect fit.

What Are the Social Sciences?

Social science is the scientific study of people and how they behave and function together in society.

It includes psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, history, and other areas you might not expect, like world geography. The branches of social science seem very different, but they share a common goal: understanding observable human behavior, individually and in groups.

Social science is practical rather than philosophical. It answers questions, such as:

What causes homelessness, and how can we support people experiencing it?
What problems exist in a specific area, and how can they be solved?
Why do specific patterns show up in family life, education, or faith communities?
How can we use data to improve the way organizations serve others?

Although theory and research form the foundation of the social sciences, you’ll also need emotional intelligence and the ability to see the world through someone else’s eyes. That’s partly why many students feel a calling to this field. They want to learn about the world and how they can make a difference.

What Can You Study in the Social Sciences?

Social science covers a wide range of human experience, and academic paths vary by school. Some universities offer degrees in sociology or anthropology. Others focus on applied areas like criminal justice, economics, or human services.

At Cornerstone, the most direct career pathways into the social sciences are through programs like Psychology, Social Work, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Each helps you understand people from a scientific viewpoint.

Here are three of the social science programs offered at Cornerstone:

Psychology (B.A.) (100%online): You’ll study subjects like cognitive development, human behavior, personality theory, and social psychology. You’ll also learn research techniques and develop critical thinking skills with a Christian perspective.
Social Work (B.S.W.): If you care about community service and helping families and individuals, social work is practical. With classes such as Human Behavior and Social Environment and Human Diversity, you’ll be prepared to work in a variety of service-based settings.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.): For students considering graduate study, this program prepares you for professional licensure and direct clinical work. Courses like Counseling Ethics & Issues and Foundations of Marriage & Family Counseling prepare you to work with people experiencing complex challenges.

Cornerstone also offers social science courses that complement other majors. These classes give you a deeper understanding of human relationships and systems, and they can be part of a degree in ministry, education, business, or health care.

You don’t have to know which direction you’ll take right away. But if you’re curious about people and care about their challenges, the social sciences might be for you.

What Can You Do With a Social Science Degree?

Social science degrees prepare you for a career based on people’s needs, relationships, challenges, and potential. You could become a school-based mental health counselor or a youth treatment specialist, among many other possibilities.

Here are just a few directions your path might take:

Counseling and Mental Health: If you feel called to help others heal and grow, you might become a therapist or behavioral health specialist who works with students. A graduate degree might be needed for some paths. But with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work, you can get started in an entry-level position.
Social Work and Community Services: Social workers provide direct support to individuals and families, especially those facing poverty, abuse, addiction, or systemic injustice. Many also work in schools, hospitals, nonprofits, or faith-based outreach programs.
Education: If you’re thinking about a career in teaching, you might want to take courses in social science. You’ll learn about classroom behavior and social systems that shape education.
Ministry and Nonprofit Work: A career as a family ministry director or a community outreach coordinator requires a strong understanding of people. Social science courses, such as Social Studies Research and Local History & Civic Studies Research, help you understand people and communicate effectively.
Public Policy and Government: Community work appeals to many social science majors. In housing policy, criminal justice reform, or local government, you’ll need to analyze problems and communicate solutions.
Business Administration: Effective communication and understanding how people think and behave are essential in business. Social science courses like Organizational Behavior are valuable if you want to become a business manager or marketing coordinator.

No matter which direction you take, you’ll build a career on understanding people to improve individual lives, workplaces, and communities.

Myths and Misconceptions About Social Sciences

Many misconceptions exist about questions such as: what is social science, and is social science a real science? Here are five common myths about social science degrees and how they apply to the world outside a classroom.

Myth #1: “You need a graduate degree to anything in social science.”

This one comes up a lot, and while it’s true that some careers in research or clinical practice require graduate study, plenty of opportunities are available with just a bachelor’s degree or a two-year Associate of Science in Human Services.

You could be a community outreach worker or a youth program coordinator. A B.A. in Secondary Education prepares you for teaching middle and high school students. You could even be an educational content writer or academic advisor.

Myth #2: “Psychology and sociology are basically the same.”

Both deal with human behavior, but they’re not the same. They can overlap, but psychology focuses on individuals, whereas sociology studies groups and social structures and how individuals function within them.

If you can’t decide between the two, take classes in both fields at first. Figure out what resonates most and how you can use that knowledge in your career.

Myth #3: “You won’t make much money with a social science degree.”

Students who want to make a difference and support themselves and a future family might worry about income. Salaries vary, but it’s not true that social science grads are limited to low-paying jobs.

Fields such as mental health counseling, HR, public health, education leadership, and clinical social work are growing steadily. The pay is respectable and usually comes with benefits and long-term advancement potential.

Social science isn’t glamorous. But many students choose to major in one of the social sciences because fulfillment and purpose are part of their plan.

Myth #4: “Social science isn’t real science.”

Social science is sometimes written off as “not scientific enough” because it “only” studies people. But that’s not true.

Social scientists use evidence-based scientific methods to ask questions, test theories, analyze data, and draw conclusions, just as researchers in biology or chemistry do. You won’t work in a lab with microscopes, but you’ll need to fully understand the research process and know some math, especially statistics and sometimes basic calculus.

Myth #5: “A social science degree means you have to become a therapist.”

The social sciences cover many fields of study, and there are only a few that qualify you to become a therapist. Some students do want to become clinical therapists, but others take entirely different paths in education, ministry, community development, and public policy.

A social science background is flexible. Your studies prepare you to think critically and communicate clearly. You’ll learn to understand people and adapt to a variety of settings. Those skills are useful in most professions, and you can design your path based on your goals and interests.

Why Study Social Science at Cornerstone?

Whereto study is just as important as whatto study. If you’re interested in a university that integrates faith and learning with real-world impact, Cornerstone University may be a good fit.

At Cornerstone, social science–related programs will shape how you think and how you serve, regardless of your exact career path.

You’ll discover:

Professors who care about your mind andyour character. They take your growth seriously, both academically and spiritually.
Courses that develop insight apply to real-world problems. You’ll learn how to connect knowledge with human struggles and your own sense of calling.
A faith-informed approach to understanding people. Social science at Cornerstone doesn’t set aside faith. Programs include Biblical principles and Christ-centered mentorship to help students develop well-rounded leadership skills and wisdom.
Opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Depending on your program, you’ll have access to field practicums and internships in counseling or social work, volunteer placements, or collaborative projects with faculty and peers.

And perhaps most important is that you’ll be studying in a community that takes values seriously and includes Christian worldview training. Moral and ethical development is part of the everyday experience of being a Cornerstone student.

If you’re looking for a place to grow while preparing for a meaningful career, Cornerstone’s supportive, Christ-centered approach is worth considering.