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Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Sciences
Today’s global economy and rapid pace of social change demands professionals who can think critically and possess knowledge of cultural, economic, historic, political, geographic, and psychological influences on organizations and institutions within the modern society. Successful individuals apply these principles within their occupations and the community. Social Science degree programs investigate the human experience, and examine structures, relationships, and ideas of the social world and how they relate to human behavior. The Applied Social Sciences degree prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers, and emphasizes critical thinking, interpersonal awareness, and team-building skills.
"Applied Social Sciences is for people who have inquisitive minds, like to think outside the box, want to look at the world in a perspective that perhaps other people miss with their daily assignments...I think it's very attractive to people who are self motivated, who want to make a difference in the world, in their lives, in their workplace."
- Dr. Dean Dohrman, Program Coordinator
Applied Social Sciences Specializations:
Students may enhance their online bachelor's degree with a specialization in a career-relevant field. Specializations consists of five (5) upper division courses (15 credits) as a complement to their program major based on professional and personal interests.
Business Administration
The Business Administration Specialization is ideally suited for students interested in pursuing a career in business operations and management. Professionals in this field include department managers, accountants, consultants, executives, directors, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Criminal Forensics
The Criminal Forensics Specialization is ideal for students interested in crime scene investigation and forensic science. Gain the knowledge and skills to pursue or advance a career as a medical examiner, crime analyst, criminal investigator, or similar position in this exciting field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Criminal Justice Management
The criminal justice field includes careers in security, the court system, corrections, forensics, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Justice Management Specialization provides advanced leadership skills to further one’s professional development in these areas.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration program.
Criminology
The Criminology Specialization focuses on the study of crime, criminal behavior, and the legal system. Students pursuing a career in law enforcement, social work, forensics, welfare, pathology, probation, or other public safety positions will gain a competitive advantage through the Criminology Specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration program.
Data Management and Analysis
The Data Management and Analysis specialization is designed for students interested in careers related to information systems and networking. Professionals interested in the Information Technology field who desire in-depth knowledge of how to manage enterprise data should consider this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Emergency Management
While emergency situations cannot always be avoided, proper critical response and preparation can drastically improve public safety. The Emergency Management Specialization provides professionals including safety directors, emergency specialists, consultants, analysts, responders, etc. with the skills necessary in a wide array of emergencies.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Finance
Gain insight and professional skills with regards to the bottom line through this specialization in finance. Career opportunities exist for accountants, investment bankers, payroll specialists, analysts, auditors, controllers, and more in this exciting field of study.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Accounting programs. B.S. in Business Management students must be enrolled in the program requirements from the 2012 Fall-B term or later.
Foundations of Accounting
This specialization provides business principles and other applied skills in the area of accounting to assist professionals at all levels. In addition to accountants and CPAs, this specialization provides financial understanding for budget and cost analysts, payroll specialists, auditors, tax consultants, advisors, managers, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Accounting program.
Healthcare Informatics
The Healthcare Informatics Specialization is ideal for healthcare administrators and other professionals who are interested in the effective management of data and information within a global and technology-rich environment.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Healthcare Management
The Healthcare Management Specialization provides professionals in clinics, hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, research facilities, and more with the focused training required to handle the unique management challenges of the Healthcare industry. This specialization gives students a competitive edge in an ever-changing field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Human Resources and Organizational Development
Students interested in pursuing a career in Human Resources should consider adding this specialization to their bachelor’s degree coursework. It provides a background in personnel management, staff training and development, policy and procedures, and more. When completed as part of the B.S. in Business Management degree, this specialization aligns with educational standards from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except for the B.S. in Healthcare Administration and Management program.
Learn more about Human Resources and Organizational Development »
Information Technology Management
As technology continues to advance, the need for qualified IT managers grows as well. Through the Information Technology Management Specialization, students gain the administrative knowledge needed to meet the demands of corporate technology systems including problem solving, resource allocation, networking, security, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Information Technology program.
Information Technology Operations
This specialization provides a basic understanding of technology operations, networking, problem-solving, development, and more. Professionals interested in careers that require knowledge of information technology, including administrators, department managers, system analysts, and more, will benefit from this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Information Technology program.
Marketing
Students interested in the global field of marketing will benefit from this specialization, which includes promotion, creative services, public relations, research, consulting, communications, advertisement, strategy, branding, and much more. The Marketing Specialization provides the tools necessary to be successfully employed in many areas within this field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Marketing program.
Operations Management and Supervision
The Operations Management and Supervision specialization is ideal for students who pursue careers in logistics or manufacturing and production. These courses provide knowledge and skills to improve efficiency, efficacy, and performance in organizational operations.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Organizational Leadership
Students who wish to advance into a management role in their organization or further their management skills as they apply to staff, effective decision making, strategic communication, and more should consider adding the Organizational Leadership Specialization to their bachelor’s degree major area of interest.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Organizational Leadership program.
Professional Sales
The Professional Sales Specialization is ideal for students interested in advancing their knowledge of sales and learning best practices for conducting business in today’s dynamic marketplace.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Project Management
Students interested in project management should consider this specialization to gain conprehensive theories and concepts on how to improve organizational efficiency and performance on a per project basis. Ideal for both Project Management Professionals (PMP) and those interested in entering this growing field.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Project Management program.
Public Administration
Students interested in pursuing a career in government, public management, foreign services, nonprofit, security, regulatory boards, and others at the global, national, state, or local level will gain a competitive advantage with a specialization in public administration.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Public Management program.
Public and Non-Profit Management
Students interested in careers within the public and non-profit sectors should consider pursuing a specialization in Public and Non-Profit Management. This specialization provides students with management and decision-making abilities necessary within these organizations.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Public Management program.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Students who have a desire to work with a startup small business or manage their own entrepreneurial enterprises will gain the variety of skills necessary to be successful through this specialization.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs.
Strategic Communication
Effective communication can increase efficiency and results in a wide array of professional positions. The specialization in Strategic Communication improves both internal and external messaging, delivery, and comprehension for managers, consultants, marketing and public relations specialists, human resources, and more.
This specialization is available to students in all undergraduate programs except the B.S. in Communication program.
The Applied Social Sciences program consists of ten three-credit courses designed for students to build practical knowledge and skills in written and interpersonal communication, analytical reasoning and decision making. Students may also select a specialization area consisting of five courses (15 credit hours) of upper division coursework to customize their degree.
As a student in the Applied Social Sciences program, you will:
- Integrate social, historic, psychological, political, and economic perspectives and apply them within one's profession
- Develop critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and decision making skills
- Examine the principles and practices that underpin social science disciplines
As with all CSU-Global online degree programs, the Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Sciences is a 100% online degree program with convenient term schedules and flexible coursework that you complete on your time. In addition, CSU-Global offers streamlined admissions to get you started as soon as possible and affordable college tuition rates with the security of a tuition guarantee so you know that the price will never go up. Financial Aid options are also available for those who need it. Earn your applied social science degree online with Colorado State University-Global Campus and further your career.
Applied Social Sciences courses listed in the suggested order of completion:
ORG300 Applying Leadership Principles: This required first course for all majors (undergraduate level) provides an overview of leadership basics. In the context of studying at CSU-Global Campus, students will develop strategies for success in the online learning environment.
HST300 U.S. History from 1945 to the Present: History of the United States from 1945 to the present, with emphasis on Cold War, Vietnam, and the rise of the Conservative majority.
SOC300 Working in Modern Society: An analysis of the conditions and challenges faced by workers in contemporary society, including the meeting of both employer and individual expectations. Focus includes the balancing of numerous factors including personal life, job commitment, and career management.
COM305 Communication in the Global Information Age: A review of various methods and technologies utilized in communicating with internal and external stakeholders. Emphasis on identifying and developing skills and processes for improving organizational effectiveness.
SOC310 Race, Gender and Ethnic Relations in the U.S.: A survey of the historical and current issues related to race, gender and ethnic relations found in practices and policies. Review of judicial, political and economic influences on organizational diversity management.
ORG303 Applied Organizational Psychology: Focus is on how managers can utilize their understanding of individual and group psychology in fulfilling the organization's mission and accomplishing objectives. An analysis of motivational strategies and tactics is included.
ECN400 Managerial Economics: An understanding of the theories of economics in a global context. Emphasis on the application of the concepts of demand and elasticity, international rate determination and balance of payments, national and international financial system and institutions, and macroeconomic indicators.
PMG300 Public Administration: An overview of issues related to leading and managing public organizations and government agencies. Focus includes policy development, strategic planning, agency operations, civil service systems, legal framework, and ethical considerations.
PMG460 Community Development: An examination of the various facets of community resource development and management. Emphasis on planning and management strategies to guide nonprofit organizations in community development projects, programs and efforts.
SOC480 Capstone - Applying the Social Sciences: This capstone course is the culmination of the applied social sciences academic experience. It serves to synthesize the knowledge gained from courses previously taken within the applied social sciences and prepares the graduate for further studies within the social sciences or a related career position. The course centers on the development of a senior level research paper grounded in relevant social science literature and research; the emphasis is on the integration and synthesis of knowledge acquired in previous courses. Prerequisite: All core and specialization courses
Learn more about other CSU-Global undergraduate online degree programs here.
Dr. Dean Dohrman
Program Coordinator for B.S. in Applied Social Sciences
Dr. Dean Dohrman has been the Pettis Country Assessor in Missouri since 2005. He has served on several state committees, developed various professorial programs, and completed assessment studies for the state assessors' association. He holds the highest professional designation from the association. Among several internships, Dr. Dohrman served as a Presidential Management Intern (now Fellow) working in the export programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is also currently running for a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Dr. Dohrman earned is Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004.
What Dr. Dohrman says about the B.S. in Applied Social Sciences degree:
"We have several disciplines involved. It's for people who are curious, it's for people who want to think outside the box, it's for people who are always imagining a better way, who are creative, who are innovative, those students will be very satisfied with the bachelor of applied social sciences program and if you are already in a field and you want to hone your skills in that area, its a perfect place to satisfy both of those aspects you are looking for...
When we're seeking jobs, we have to be marketable. So we have that little extra to bring to the table, that's certainly an advantage in today's world, and very self fulfilling also."
