A Master's degree in Social Sciences can be very beneficial and can provides more career options, opportunities for advancement, and higher pay than an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences. A Masters is a type of graduate degree earned after an undergraduate degree. Typically the master's degree requires about 30 credits of coursework and takes 2 years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Many students earn a Masters degree to either excel in their field or to change careers. This degree allows students to gain expertise in an area.
Career Options for Master's Degrees in Social Sciences
If you are pursuing a Master's in Social Sciences, you will most likely pursue a specific area of interest rather than an overall degree in Social Sciences. This allows you to focus on becoming more proficient and knowledgeable in one area.
There are many different career options for those with Master's degrees in Social Sciences. A few of these include:
- Social Worker. A Master's in social work allows social workers to practice counseling as well as perform other job duties of a social worker.
- Anthropologist. Anthropologists conduct research into all matters related to the origin and behavior of humans.
- Psychology. Those with Master's degrees in Psychology can either conduct research or counsel individuals.
- Criminal Justice. A Master's in Criminal Sciences allows people to work within the criminal justice system, either doing police work, law, or forensic analysis.
- Teachers. Some people with Master's degrees in Social Sciences opt for the teaching route, which allows them to teach a specific field of Social Sciences, often at the college level.
Obtaining a Master's Degree in Social Sciences
If you would like to pursue a Master's degree in Social Sciences, you will most likely follow these steps:
- Receive your Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The degree you receive typically doesn't matter; however, it is helpful to have your undergraduate in one of the Social Sciences.
- Take the GRE (Graduate Requisite Exam). This is a standardized test designed to evaluate students who are seeking admissions to graduate programs. You must have a certain minimum score to be admitted.
- Apply to the school and program of your choice. Once accepted, you will have to complete Master's degree coursework and complete a thesis paper. Depending on the program, you may have other work to do as well.
A Master's degree in Social Sciences typically takes 2-3 years to earn, depending on the field you specialize in and whether you are working on your Master's full-time or part-time. Many people opt to take a few years off after receiving their Bachelor's degrees, and then pursue a Master's part time while working in their respective fields.
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