Career Services Center

Social Sciences

Learn About Graduate Study

Graduate study in the Social Sciences includes academic graduate programs like a Master’s or Ph.D. where you’d study a particular subject in depth for the purpose of advancing knowledge, or professional degree programs like certain areas of psychology and urban planning which train you for a specific career path. 

  • Read our guide to Academic Graduate Programspdf_icon summarizing the preparation and application process.
  • Visit our library to read Peterson's Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and more

Get Experience & Prepare

To confirm your interest in a field, to develop the skills and knowledge needed for graduate study, and to prove your abilities to graduate schools, you’ll need to prepare academically and obtain relevant practical experience. 

Apply to Schools

Most graduate school applications occur in the late fall/early winter of the adcademic year before you want to start. You will need to identify programs that match your interests and complete an application.  Some steps take time so plan ahead!

  • Schools & Programs – Use the links below to identify programs with a curriculum, faculty and facilities that match your interests.  Consider your likelihood of admission and cost. 
Anthropologylink_icon and Medical Anthro.link_icon Industrial and Organizational Psychologylink_icon 
American and Ethnic Studieslink_icon Library and Information Studieslink_icon  list and Guidelink_icon   
Cognitive Sciencelink_icon Linguisticslink_icon                            
Economicslink_icon list and Guidelink_icon Physical (Biological) Anthropologylink_icon                             
Forensic Sciencelink_icon Political Sciencelink_icon list and Guidelink_icon                        
Geographylink_icon list and Guidelink_icon     Primatologylink_icon
Health Psychologylink_icon Psychologylink_icon list, Guidelink_icon and another Guidelink_icon      
Human Development link_icon Sociologylink_icon
Human Factors & Ergonomicslink_icon  Urban and Regional Planninglink_icon list and Guidelink_icon                               
Human Sexualitylink_icon Women and Gender Studieslink_icon
  •  
    • Search for International Programs:  Australia/New Zealandlink_icon and UK/Irelandlink_icon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
    • Attend our Graduate School Fair to learn about programs from school representatives
    • Talk to faculty and graduate students in your field for program recommendations
    • Do a literature review to see who's publishing books or journal articles in your specialty area
    • Consult PhDs.orglink_icon, the National Research Councillink_icon, or field-specific Rankings

  • GRE – Preparepdf_icon, Studylink_icon and take the Graduate Record Examlink_icon
  • Letters of Recommendation – Get to Know Writerspdf_icon and Collect Letters
  • Application Essay – Write your Statement of Intentpdf_icon and get a Critique
  • Financial Aid & Fellowships – Know how to Pay For Graduate School

For additional help with your professional & graduate school preparation and application come into the Career Services Center or contact your Professional & Graduate School Advisors.