Social and Behavioral Sciences, BS
Are you interested in a career focused on social advocacy? Immerse yourself in the understanding of psychological and social principles that influence behavior in a variety of social structures.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Social and Behavioral Sciences degree description
In the Bachelor of Science program in social and behavioral sciences, you gain an understanding of assumptions underlying the social and behavioral sciences, enabling you to develop the research skills necessary to analyze complex social issues. This flexible program can be tailored to your career goals and offers individual and group experiences working with faculty on concrete intellectual and policy issues. You are exposed to a variety of outlooks and challenges.
The core courses provide you with the requisite background to better understand psychological and social principles related to the behavior of individuals across multiple social contexts and institutions (e.g., community, culture, family and society).
The BS differs from the Bachelor of Arts in that it has a stronger focus on the use of quantitative statistics.
Why study social and behavioral sciences at ASU?
This program allows you to study human behavior and social systems through multiple perspectives, drawing from areas such as psychology, sociology, communication, political science and anthropology. Its flexible structure allows you to tailor coursework to your interests while maintaining a strong foundation in social science research and theory.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SBS 101 Introduction to Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| SBS 302 Qualitative Methods |
| SBS 303 Quantitative Methods |
| SBS 401 Theories of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| SBS 495 Professional Pathways in the Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Studying abroad enables students in the social and behavioral sciences program to develop an understanding of assumptions made about individuals and society. Firsthand experiences inside and outside the classroom help students develop skills to analyze complex social issues that affect them and those around them, domestically and internationally.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students in these programs build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network. Participation in study abroad programs provides students with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened and critical thinking skills that enhance their resumes and help them stand out in a competitive career field. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences can explore how their varied fields and interests interact in different settings around the world.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addictions Counselor | 18.4% | $59,350 | Learn more |
| Advocate | 7.4% | $45,930 | Learn more |
| Community Specialist | 5.5% | $56,730 | Learn more |
| Human Behavior Researcher | 5.0% | $61,990 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Mediator | 4.7% | $75,530 | Learn more |
| Paralegal Assistant | -0.3% | $72,110 | Learn more |
| Patient Advocate | 5.9% | $50,290 | Learn more |
| Politician | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Probation Officer | 3.0% | $66,270 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this social and behavioral sciences degree prepares you for
Graduates of the program have a solid background in social sciences and methodologies and are prepared for graduate work in community development, counseling, criminal justice, professional schools (e.g., law, public administration, social work), public policy, regional planning, social science disciplines, and urban studies or planning.
Possible careers include:
- advocate (e.g., immigration, children's, victim's)
- community developer
- human relations officer
- lawyer
- lobbyist
- mediator
- nonprofit manager
- social services case worker
- statistical analyst
- urban planner
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
SBSadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
