SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Overview

Are you a people person? Do you like to help or understand others? Do you want to impact the lives of people around you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Community is for you! Degrees in this Community equip you with the knowledge and skills to work in a variety of sectors, including social and human services, business, nonprofit and government agencies, and schools, colleges, and universities. Completing your Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in this Community can lead to careers in counseling, management, forensic psychology, archeology, cultural anthropology, social work, data analysis, marketing research, and many others.

Aimed at developing timeless skills, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Community will teach you to:

Use various research methods to answer questions and solve problems

Take apart complex arguments and create your own using sound research strategies and ethical practices

Interpret people, societies, cultures, and historical periods from a variety of diverse viewpoints so you see the whole picture and respect the differences of others

Understand how and what you think and where you stand on enduring and important issues

Communicate clearly to share ideas and foster relationships with others

These exciting majors emphasize skills that help you shape the future. They teach communication, problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and information literacy. Having a background in the Social & Behavioral Sciences has wide applicability. George Lucas, for example, began his career as an anthropology major which ignited his passion for mythology and eventually inspired many of his themes in the Star Wars films. Others such as renowned actress Natalie Portman and celebrated former talk show host and political commentator, Jon Stewart, majored in Psychology. Moreover, the different skills provided in the Social & Behavioral Sciences make students attractive candidates in jobs requiring knowledge in cultural diversity, interpersonal relations, leadership, political literacy, and user experience among others.

If you know you will need keen insight and the ability to express that insight to others in your future career, Social and Behavioral Sciences is your community!

 

Career Outlook

Eighty-four percent of social science graduates are employed following the completion of their first degree. Jobs in this area are expected to grow more through 2029 (at a rate of 5%). Demand is particularly high for careers in legal assisting, museum archiving, and political science. In Ohio, service-producing jobs are expected to increase by 132,000 jobs by 2028, and social services, community care, and mental health facilities are among the fastest-growing areas.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with AA & AS degrees earn upwards of $8,000 more per year than high school graduates. Follow up with a bachelor’s degree and add another $19,000 per year.