Program Overview

Applied Social Sciences Certificate Program

The Applied Social Sciences certificate program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply social science tools to practical problems. This program offers students the opportunity to develop case studies, engage in fieldwork, and learn how to apply expert knowledge and communicate evidence.

Program Description

The certificate program in Applied Social Sciences prepares students to apply social science tools to practical problems. Through collaboration, students develop case studies, engage in fieldwork, and learn how to apply expert knowledge and communicate evidence. Working with stakeholders, students identify and solve problems, reform managerial structures and organizational systems, and drive social change.

At a Glance

• College/School: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley

Curriculum

The certificate in Applied Social Sciences consists of 15 upper-division credit hours. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be earned through courses offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. All courses used to satisfy requirements for the certificate must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Requirements

• SBS 304 Social Statistics I (QTRS) or SBS 404 Social Statistics II: Multivariate Analysis (3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C)
• SOC 331 Environmental Sociology (SUST) (3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C)
• Applied Social Science Electives:
  • ASB 339 / POS 339 / SBS 339 / SOC 339 Grassroots Social Movements
  • ASB 340 / SOC 328 Migration and Culture (GCSI)
  • ASB 394 / JHR 394 / POS 394 / SBS 394 / SOC 394 Special Topics
  • ASB 484 / JHR 484 / POS 484 / SBS 484 / SOC 484 Internship
  • ASB 492 / JHR 492 / POS 492 / SBS 492 / SOC 492 Honors Directed Study
  • ASB 493 / JHR 493 / POS 493 / SBS 493 / SOC 493 Honors Thesis
  • ASB 494 / JHR 494 / POS 494 / SBS 494 / SOC 494 Special Topics
  • ASB 499 / JHR 499 / POS 499 / SBS 499 / SOC 499 Individualized Instruction
  • JHR 305 Theory and Practice of Social Justice and Human Rights (CIVI)
  • POS 150 Comparative Government (GCSI) or POS 350 Comparative Politics (GCSI)
  • SOC 241 Modern Social Problems (SOBE)
  • SOS 111 Sustainable Cities (SUST)
• Upper Division Applied Social Science Electives:
  • ASB 339 / POS 339 / SBS 339 / SOC 339 Grassroots Social Movements
  • ASB 340 / SOC 328 Migration and Culture (GCSI)
  • ASB 394 / JHR 394 / POS 394 / SBS 394 / SOC 394 Special Topics
  • ASB 484 / JHR 484 / POS 484 / SBS 484 / SOC 484 Internship
  • ASB 492 / JHR 492 / POS 492 / SBS 492 / SOC 492 Honors Directed Study
  • ASB 493 / JHR 493 / POS 493 / SBS 493 / SOC 493 Honors Thesis
  • ASB 494 / JHR 494 / POS 494 / SBS 494 / SOC 494 Special Topics
  • ASB 499 / JHR 499 / POS 499 / SBS 499 / SOC 499 Individualized Instruction
  • JHR 305 Theory and Practice of Social Justice and Human Rights (CIVI)
• Upper Division Applied Project:
  • ASB 484 / JHR 484 / POS 484 / SBS 484 / SOC 484 Internship
  • ASB 493 / JHR 493 / POS 493 / SBS 493 / SOC 493 Honors Thesis
  • ASB 499 / JHR 499 / POS 499 / SBS 499 / SOC 499 Individualized Instruction
  • ENG 484 / ETH 484 / JHR 484 Topic: Pen Project Prison Teaching

Enrollment Requirements

This certificate is open to students in any major. Students who wish to pursue this certificate should consult an academic advisor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences to ensure that the appropriate set of courses is taken.

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a non-degree-seeking graduate student.

Career Opportunities

The certificate program is recommended for students with academic or career interests in human resources, administration, journalism, social work, business, and community and civic work, as well as politics, organizing and advocacy, public policy, education, and sustainability. Graduates may find employment in positions such as:

• Educator
• Human Resources Manager or Assistant
• Recruiter
• Research Project Manager
• Research Specialist
• Social Worker

Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.