There is no one social science degree, but a broad range of degrees which fall under the umbrella of the social sciences. Some of the most common social science programs fall under the departments of gender studies, sociology, language studies, literature, psychology, education, political science or anthropology. Different schools offer social science degrees in different departments, so prospective students should check with each institution to find out what is covered.
While psychology falls into the discipline of the social sciences, there are many subfields of psychology degrees. Although some undergraduate students may choose to major in psychology as a general degree program, many students will want to consider their overall career goals and choose a more focused concentration. By the graduate level, the student's chosen field will need to be narrowed down to a specific subject. Some of the most common psychology degrees are focused on clinical psychology, animal behavior, child psychology, cognitive neuroscience, personality psychology, sports psychology and industrial-organizational psychology.
Because the types of degrees offered within the social sciences are so diverse, graduates of social science programs can be found within a wide range of careers. From social workers to researchers, policemen, teachers and therapists, to economists and FBI agents, the options are many. The specific social science degree program chosen will ultimately determine the student's future career choices.
A psychology degree prepares students for a number of different professional positions. Some psychology majors go on to become clinical psychologists, school psychologists, forensic psychologists, therapists or social workers. Others take the skills that they have learned into such fields as business, advertising and the non-profit sector. Psychology is a popular degree field, as many employers value the skill sets that develop in conjunction with a psychology degree.