Best Programs: Social Sciences

 Interest in the social sciences is going up at a time when the waning popularity of the humanities, made up of disciplines such as history, literary studies, and philosophy, has made headlines in recent years. Over 300,000 students enrolled in social and behavioural sciences and law-related fields in 2021–22, compared to just under 285,000 students in 2017–18. 

The area of social sciences includes disciplines like anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science and economics, and often appeals to students who are interested in complex societal issues and who want to dig into what makes humans tick.

Those in social science programs spend their undergrad years doing coursework, which typically looks like doing research in their field of choice, participating in studies, critically analyzing issues, studying policies and producing reports on their findings. Many graduates go on to do master’s degrees and Ph.D.s, whether that’s to conduct advanced research in their fields or to become social workers or psychologists, for example. 

It’s not all about research and more schooling, though. Career prospects for social science grads right out of undergrad are plenty, and can include jobs like policy analyst, museum curator, communications specialist or human resource manager. Plus, the skills gained while studying the social sciences are infinitely transferable: research know-how, document analysis, effective communication and critical thinking are all important skills for any career path that is valuable to employers.

Another thing employers like? Someone with practical experience. When looking for a social science program, regardless of the sub-field of study, students should search for opportunities to apply classroom instruction. Because social sciences programs are often heavy on solitary coursework, like essay writing, universities have increased the number of opportunities to offer social science students co-ops and internships—a feature traditionally offered to STEM students. Programs with co-op options help students feel like they have both career-ready skills, like communication and problem-solving, and work experience when they graduate. Volunteer opportunities are another way for students to add practical experience to their CVs. 

For the social sciences, getting experience in the community is especially pertinent because so many of the careers available post-graduation are community-based—whether that’s a job in social work, running for office, working on a political campaign or a career as a community wellness worker. Students should also look for programs offering courses that focus on fieldwork and research—especially in research-heavy fields like anthropology, sociology or geography. These might yield an opportunity to develop a research project or to conduct surveys in their community. Again, students will be able to gain hands-on experience where they can apply what they’re learning—which will look great on a resume for any route after graduation, be it grad school, a professional program or a career. 

It’s also important to find a program that offers a wide variety of social sciences courses, even if they’re outside one’s major. Because the social sciences can be very interdisciplinary, having access to a diverse number of other courses will ensure that there aren’t gaps in a student’s knowledge. Students interested in criminology, for example, might also look into courses in psychology and the law to round out their education.

Standout Social Sciences Programs

University of King’s College

This unique program at the University of King’s College, a small liberal arts school in Halifax, gives first-year students an interdisciplinary introduction to a humanities or social sciences degree. The small program has first year students studying a curated, chronological series of books, from the ancient to the contemporary world. Afterwards, students are able to join any one of King’s programs, including classics, law, justice and society, sociology and more. Students who finish the first-year program are able to take courses from neighbouring Dalhousie University, thanks to a partnership between the two schools.

Mount Allison University

With a number of disciplines to pick from, like politics and sociology, this tiny but mighty school in New Brunswick punches above its weight for the social sciences. Because the school is in a smaller community, there are more opportunities to get involved in activities like local politics, community centres and museums—all things that boost a social sciences grad’s resume. Plus, the smaller class sizes provide more chances for students to discuss big ideas.

University of Toronto

No one beats out U of T when it comes to breadth of courses. Not only are there hundreds of classes to pick from, U of T has over 40 programs of study in the social sciences category alone. From the well-known (e.g., political sciences) to the more niche (like ethics, society and law), there’s no shortage of disciplines to dig into at Canada’s largest university. Students also have the opportunity to build their own degree with options to add on any combination of majors and minors to DIY the education they want—including a double degree option for students who want to pursue the arts and sciences. 

Simon Fraser University

This school in British Columbia offers co-op placements for its social sciences programs, allowing students to get hands-on learning in areas like criminology, anthropology, economics and gender, sexuality and women’s studies. Many disciplines also offer joint majors with other bachelor of arts programs, allowing students to study business and psychology, for example, or sociology and communications. Students in the gender, sexuality and women’s studies programs can also join the active GSWS Student Union to participate in on- and off-campus events and initiatives that advance gender and sexual inclusivity. 

University of Ottawa

Many of the University of Ottawa’s social science programs offer a co-op option and, being in the nation’s capital, the range of possible employers is particularly enticing for anyone hoping to work in politics, economics or international affairs. Potential employers include the Privy Council Office, the Bank of Canada, Global Affairs Canada and a number of other public and private entities. The school is also bilingual, enabling students to get the best education in both official languages, preparing them for careers in government, social services and the public sector at large.