Social Sciences: General Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
- Offered as:
- Major
Overview
This division of the General Studies Program is for students whose primary interest in social sciences requires interdisciplinary programs and course selections, emphasizing the social, political, economic, and religious institutions of human society.
Social sciences courses expose students to data used by various disciplines to test, explain, or create the concepts, theories, principles, and laws underlying those institutions. These courses may focus upon how social sciences use these constructs to evaluate issues and how such knowledge enhances the understanding of human behavior with society’s institutions.
[+] Requirements and core courses
—Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
Together with the program coordinator, students devise an approved, coherent program of study that fulfills an academic or career goal and includes prerequisites consistent with the 300-400 level major course work. In addition, each student will satisfy the General Education Requirements (GERs) and any additional requirements of the College of Liberal Arts.
The program of study is customized within one of these approaches:
Plan A: Primary/secondary area of concentration
- Primary concentration: A minimum of 24 semester credits, including at least 15 300-400 level credits, must be completed in a single social sciences department or published program with a minimum 2.0 primary concentration GPA. The major and degree awarded will depend on the primary concentration (in this case, it would be a major in general social sciences, leading to a bachelor of arts in social sciences).
- Secondary concentration: A minimum of 15 semester credits, including at least 6 300-400 level credits, must be completed in another academic department, program, or area published in the General Catalog with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Plan B: Three related areas in social sciences
A combination of social sciences courses of at least 39 credits involving three or more academic departments or programs, with a minimum of 9 credits in each of the three areas including at least 21 300-400 level credits with at least a 2.0 GPA in these courses. Students will major in general social sciences and receive a bachelor of arts in social sciences.
Note: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
[+] Scholarships and financial aid
For students in general social sciences
Students can apply for University-level scholarships and more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts.
For all students
A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and needed-based financial aid.
For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.