Degree Overview
One Degree, Built Around You
The Social Science degree at Batten is designed for students who want both breadth and depth. Rather than locking you into a single discipline, the program lets you choose a Primary Concentration from fields like Business, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Welfare, and Sociology, then build outward with two Secondary Concentrations from related areas. The result is a degree that reflects your actual interests and career goals, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum. You'll start by declaring your plan of study in SOSCI 200 and finish with SOSCI 400, a capstone seminar that pulls everything together and prepares you for what comes next. If you've got existing college credits, this program's flexible structure makes it a strong path to finishing your degree.
Course Information
All Batten students complete a shared general education curriculum designed to build critical thinking, communication, and a broad academic foundation alongside your major coursework. The four components are:
- English Composition — ENG 105: The Art of Writing (must be passed with a C or higher)
- Foreign Language Proficiency — demonstrate competency through coursework, AP/CLEP credit, or prior study. Transfer students entering with 60+ credits have a simplified pathway.
- Batten Seminars — three seminar-style courses (Seminars I, II, and III) that develop scholarly inquiry, writing, and oral communication skills
- Breadth Requirement — 24 credit hours spanning arts and humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences, drawn from at least six different departments outside your major
View full General Education requirements on the Batten University website →
All Social Science majors complete the following framework regardless of concentration. Choose your Primary and Secondary Concentrations in consultation with your advisor during SOSCI 200.
Required Courses
Research courses include: SW 450; HIST 314, 325, 347, 352, 353, 412, 417, 418, 426, 428, 433, 460; INST 482; MBE 334; POLS 265; PSY 210; SOC/CJ 350; SOC 345, 351, 480.
Concentrations
Electives
A Declaration of Major form must be filed with the Registrar at least three semesters before graduation. Consult your advisor or view the full catalog for details.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor. Note: History concentration is EWP only, not available fully online.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor. Note: Political Science concentration is EWP only, not available fully online.
Required Courses
PSY 101 or PSY 102 is a required prerequisite and may count as a lower-level social science elective. At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor.
Required Courses
At least 16 hours must be at the 300/400 level. Alternative coursework must be approved by your faculty advisor. Note: Sociology concentration is EWP only, not available fully online.
Career Outcomes
The Social Science degree is intentionally broad, giving students the flexibility to shape their studies around personal and professional goals. While career outcomes vary by concentration, the program builds transferable strengths in research, communication, data interpretation, and understanding human behavior—skills valued across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Public Administration and Government
Students concentrating in areas such as political science, history, or sociology may pursue roles in public administration, government support, policy research, and community program coordination.
Human Services and Nonprofit Work
Concentrations aligned with sociology, psychology, or social welfare can support careers in community outreach, case support, nonprofit administration, and advocacy-focused organizations.
Business and Organizational Support Roles
Students who pair social science training with business-related coursework may apply their understanding of human behavior and organizational systems in areas such as human resources, market research support, and workplace operations.
Research and Graduate Study
The program's research-focused curriculum also provides preparation for research support roles and graduate study in fields such as public policy, social work, law, and the broader social sciences.
Why Batten Online
92%
Successful Graduates
Of our graduates receive job offers or go on to graduate school within one year of graduation.
Free & Rolling
Apply Anytime
Rolling admissions means you can start when you're ready. Our application is free — no fee standing between you and your degree.
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Top Colleges 2026
Named by The Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the nation for 2026.
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Environmentally Responsible
Selected by The Princeton Review as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges, profiled in the Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition.
How to Apply
Admission Requirements
- Complete our online application.
- Applicants who have not yet completed 12 semester hours of college work must submit an official high school transcript and an official college transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended. Applicants who have not taken an SAT or ACT may be admitted on the basis of an evaluation of high school coursework. Applicants who are not high school graduates may be admitted on the basis of GED test results.
- Applicants who have successfully completed 12 or more semester hours of college work must submit official college transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Generally, individuals transferring to Batten University must present a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Financial Aid
There may be financial aid options available to you when you apply for an online program at Batten University.
Explore Financial Aid Options