2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Social Science (BA)
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The Social Science interdisciplinary major focuses primarily on the critical examination of society’s institutions—their structures, theoretical foundations, evolution, and interrelationships—and how they affect and are affected by human behavior.
Cutting across a variety of social science disciplines, including American ethnic studies, anthropology, economics, geography, gender, women, and sexuality studies, mass communications, political science, psychology, social transformation studies, and sociology, the major intentionally trades depth of learning for broader scope of inquiry. By offering more latitude in its curriculum design, the program allows students to prepare for a range of pathways, including admission to certain professional programs.
Students are expected to select a thematic emphasis that is bridged by the two concentration areas selected in consultation with their advisor. To best meet individual needs and interests, career goals and the program requirements, close collaboration with the advisor is expected.
Students majoring in Social Science must earn grades of C or better in all courses required for the program in Social Science Foundational Courses, Social Science Concentration Area 1, Social Science Concentration Area 2, Thematic Elective and Social Science Capstone.
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Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours
K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State. The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core. Program Requirements: 10 credits
Orientation: 1 Credit Hour
Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours
Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except ****, etc, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit). OR Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for ****) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program). OR Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program). Overlays: [9] Credit Hours
May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself. - Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
- Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
- US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]
Statistics Requirement
If not met through K-State Core requirements, STAT 225 is required.
Social Science Foundational Courses: 9 credit hours
Students choose 3 courses (9 credits) from the following list in three different disciplines: Social Science Concentration Area One: 12 Credit Hours
12 credit hours from one Social Science discipline: ADC, AMETH, ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GEOG, GWSS, MC, POLSC, PSYCH, STRAN, SOCWK, SOCIO. 9 credits of the 12 must be at the 300 level or higher. Coursework may not overlap with Concentration Area Two or with Foundational Courses. STRAN may be combined with AMETH or GWSS, but not both. Students cannot choose both AMETH and GWSS as their two disciplines. ADC may be combined with SOCWK. Social Science Concentration Area Two: 12 Credit Hours
12 credit hours from one Social Science discipline: ADC, AMETH, ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GEOG, GWSS, MC, POLSC, PSYCH, STRAN, SOCWK, SOCIO. 9 credits of the 12 must be at the 300 level or higher. Coursework may not overlap with Concentration Area One or with Foundational Courses.
STRAN may be combined with AMETH or GWSS, but not both. Students cannot choose both AMETH and GWSS as their two disciplines.
ADC may be combined with SOCWK. Thematic Elective: 3 Credit Hours
In consultation with advisor, select a minimum 3 credit hours, at or above the 300 level, enhancing one or both concentration areas through research, applied learning, or other experiential learning opportunities. Other courses may be substituted so long as approval is obtained and elective demonstrably aligns with thematic focus. Must be 300-799. ADC 300-799 AMETH 300-799 ANTH 300-799 CRIM 300-799 DAS 400 ECON 300-799 GEOG 300-799 GWSS 300-799 MC 300-799 POLSC 300-799 PSYCH 300-799 STRAN 300-799 SOCWK 300-799 SOCIO 300-799 Social Science Capstone: 1 Credit hour
BA Arts and Humanities Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours
3 credit hours in each of the following, at any level One course in Humanities Credits: 3
Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3
BA Natural and Quantitative Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours
One course in each of the following at any level Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3
Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science with MATH or STAT Credits: 3
BA Second Language Requirement: 3-16 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following: Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours
At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence. Option 2: 16 Credit Hours
At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level. Option 3: 3 Credit Hours
Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program. Free Electives: 7-14 Credit Hours
In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120. Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120
Arts & Sciences common degree requirements for the BA are satisfied by the following: - BS Natural and Quantitative Restricted Electives
- BS Fine Arts and Humanities Restricted Elective (two courses at any level)
- Social Science Concentration Area 1 (at least one course will be at 300 level or above)
- BA Second Language Requirement
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