Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Social Sciences is an online bachelor's program that allows students to study society and the relationships among individuals and institutions. This program is ideal for students with diverse interests within the social sciences and offers a large range of electives, making it a useful option for students who want to maximize previously earned credit.

Program Details

• The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete their Penn State course work at their own pace.
• The application deadline is March 15 to start May 18.
• The program requires 120 credits, with a cost of $638/$685 per credit.
• The program is nationally recognized, with Penn State's bachelor's degrees highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Program Curriculum

The program combines the content, theories, and methodologies of the social sciences and general education courses. The course work is grounded in the liberal arts and draws on core social science disciplines, including:

• Anthropology
• Communication arts and sciences
• Economics
• Political science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Prescribed Courses

• LA 201W: Experiential Learning Portfolio (3 credits)
• LA 496: Independent Studies (3 credits)

Additional Courses

• Select 6-8 credits in quantification from MATH, CMPSC, IST, PHIL, ACCT, or STAT in consultation with an adviser.
• Select 3-4 credits in statistics from the following:
  • PLSC 309: Quantitative Political Analysis (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 200: Elementary Statistics in Psychology (3 credits)
  • STAT 200: Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
• Select 3 credits in ethics from the following:
  • PHIL 103: Ethics (3 credits)
  • PHIL 103W: Ethics (3 credits)
  • PHIL 119: Ethical Leadership (3 credits)
• Select 3-4 credits in research methods from the following:
  • CAS 390: Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 301W: Basic Research Methods in Psychology (4 credits)
  • SOC 207: Research Methods in Sociology (3 credits)

Supporting Courses and Related Areas

• In consultation with an adviser, select 30 credits from social science courses in the following areas: ANTH, CAS, ECON, PLSC, PSYCH, or SOC.
• At least 15 of these credits should be at the 400 level, with 9 credits from one discipline and 6 credits from a second discipline.

General Education Requirements

• Foundations: 15 credits
  • Writing/Speaking: 9 credits
  • Quantification: 6 credits
• Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Integrative Studies: 6 credits
  • Inter-Domain course work: 6 credits
• Exploration: 9 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN) (may be Inter-Domain): 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, and Inter-Domain courses: 6 credits

Electives

• Courses chosen in consultation with an adviser.

Career Opportunities

The concepts studied in this program can help students gain knowledge and reach their career goals. These skills, combined with the support of Penn State career resources, can help prepare students for employment in a variety of fields, such as:

• Social services
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Human resources
• Finance
• Government

Faculty

The program features a faculty of well-respected instructors from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, including:

• Stephanie Cardona
• John Kryst
• Avis Kunz
• Bryan McDonald
• Tycely Williams
• Andrea Woerman

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which a student registers and the number of total credits they have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year:
  • If you have 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
  • If you have 60 or more credits: $685 per credit
• Financial aid and military benefits are available to eligible students.

Application Instructions

• Review the admission requirements.
• Gather required materials, including high school transcripts or GED transcript, official college or university transcripts, and English proficiency test scores (if applicable).
• Create a Penn State login account.
• Complete the application, including the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) and program-specific requirements.
• Submit the application and required materials by the deadline.

Admissions Help

• Contact an admissions counselor for assistance with the application process.