Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Human Services and Counseling, Political Science, Public Administration and Policy, and History. Each major below links to what it includes, the skills you build, career paths, suggested minors and how many colleges report awarding it.
| Major | Typical degrees | Career paths | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | Associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees | Psychiatric Technician, Human Services Assistant, Substance Abuse Counselor | 1,772 |
| Social Work | Bachelor's (BSW) and master's (MSW) degrees | Social Worker, Healthcare Social Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor | 795 |
| Sociology | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees | Survey Researcher, Sociologist, Social and Community Service Manager | 1,041 |
| Human Services and Counseling | Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees | Human Services Assistant, Substance Abuse Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor | 1,124 |
| Political Science | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees | Paralegal, Lawyer, Urban Planner | 1,196 |
| Public Administration and Policy | Bachelor's and master's (MPA) degrees | Social and Community Service Manager, Budget Analyst, Emergency Management Director | 519 |
| History | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees | Historian, Archivist, Curator | 1,355 |
Colleges: active, degree-granting U.S. schools that reported awarding at least one degree or certificate in the field, IPEDS completions, awards conferred July 2023 to June 2024 (C2024_A).
Psychology
Studies how people think, feel, learn and behave. Psychology majors study development, cognition, social behavior, mental health and research methods.
Skills: Understanding behavior, Research and statistics, Listening and empathy, and Writing. Pairs well with: Human Resources, Sociology, Statistics.
Social Work
Prepares you to help individuals, families and communities facing challenges. Social work majors study human behavior, social welfare policy, practice methods and ethics, with supervised field placements.
Skills: Case management, Interviewing, Advocacy, and Crisis intervention. Pairs well with: Psychology, Spanish, Gerontology.
Sociology
Studies societies, groups, institutions and social change. Sociology majors study social structure, inequality, families, communities and research methods.
Skills: Research and data analysis, Writing, Cultural awareness, and Critical thinking. Pairs well with: Data Analytics, Criminal Justice, Public Health.
Human Services and Counseling
Prepares you to support people through social service and counseling programs. Human services and addiction counseling programs teach case management, counseling skills, crisis intervention and community resources.
Skills: Active listening, Case management, Crisis intervention, and Documentation. Pairs well with: Psychology, Gerontology, Spanish.
Political Science
Studies government, politics, public policy and international relations. Political science majors study American government, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public policy.
Skills: Research and writing, Argument and debate, Policy analysis, and Data analysis. Pairs well with: Legal Studies, Economics, Communications.
Public Administration and Policy
Teaches you to manage government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Public administration majors learn public budgeting, policy analysis, public management, administrative law and nonprofit management.
Skills: Budgeting, Policy analysis, Program management, and Communication. Pairs well with: Economics, Emergency Management, Data Analytics.
History
Studies the past to understand how people, societies and ideas changed over time. History majors read primary sources, write research papers and study periods and regions around the world.
Skills: Research, Writing, Critical reading, and Argument. Pairs well with: Education, Political Science, Professional Writing.
Practical training for psychology, social sciences and public service careers
These Career Education Institute courses connect to the careers above. Each is a short, self-paced online course about one job.
A self-paced online course on what human services assistants do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: benefits applications, resource navigation, and case documentation
Why it fits: Connected to your Psychology major
A self-paced online course on what social and community service managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: program management, budgeting, and grant management
Why it fits: Connected to your Psychology major
A self-paced online course on what substance abuse counselors do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: assessment, treatment planning, and group facilitation
Why it fits: Connected to your Psychology major
A self-paced online course on what urban planners do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: land use planning, zoning, and GIS
Why it fits: Connected to your Sociology major
A self-paced online course on what survey researchers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: questionnaire design, sampling, and statistics
Why it fits: Connected to your Sociology major
A self-paced online course on what psychiatric technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: patient observation, de-escalation, and vital signs
Why it fits: Connected to your Psychology major
Why consider career training alongside college?
Your college major gives you an academic foundation. Short career training can add practical knowledge of a specific job: what the work involves day to day, its vocabulary, common tasks, tools and safety rules. You do not have to wait until graduation: many students take a short course to test a career before choosing a major, to prepare for an internship or a part-time job, or to show employers they understand the work.
Psychology, Social Sciences and Public Service majors: frequently asked questions
What are the best psychology, social sciences and public service majors?
The best major depends on the career you want. Common choices include Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Human Services and Counseling, and Political Science. Compare the careers, coursework and skills for each.
How many psychology, social sciences and public service majors are there?
This guide covers 7 majors in psychology, social sciences and public service: Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Human Services and Counseling, Political Science, Public Administration and Policy, and History. Colleges may use different names for similar programs.
What careers can you get with a psychology, social sciences and public service major?
Careers connected to these majors include psychiatric technician, human services assistant, social worker, healthcare social worker, survey researcher, sociologist, substance abuse counselor, and paralegal. Some require a degree and a license, while others start with a certificate or on-the-job training.
Which psychology, social sciences and public service majors are offered at the most colleges?
Psychology (1,772 colleges), History (1,355 colleges), Political Science (1,196 colleges), and Human Services and Counseling (1,124 colleges), based on IPEDS completions data.
Which psychology, social sciences and public service programs can you start with a certificate or associate degree?
Psychology and Human Services and Counseling are commonly offered as certificates or associate degrees, as well as at higher levels at some schools.
What skills do psychology, social sciences and public service majors build?
Common skills include understanding behavior, research and statistics, case management, interviewing, research and data analysis, writing, active listening, and research and writing.
Can I study psychology, social sciences and public service online?
Many colleges that offer these majors also report offering fully online programs. Use the college search with a major selected and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with each school which programs are online.
Can I start training for a psychology, social sciences and public service career before I finish college?
Yes. Short online career training can help you learn what a specific job involves and build practical knowledge while you study. It does not replace a degree or a required license.