Ramapo College of New Jersey

What you'll study

The Social Sciences programme at Ramapo College is organised around a core foundation in social theory and research methods, complemented by elective coursework across multiple social science disciplines. Students learn to design and conduct empirical research, analyse data, and translate findings into policy and practice.

• Core modules and skills: introductions to social theory, social research methods, statistics for social scientists, ethics in research, and a senior capstone or integrative project.
• Disciplinary breadth: offered coursework typically includes sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology, economics, criminology, and urban or environmental studies, allowing students to pursue interdisciplinary combinations.
• Applied learning: practicum or internship options, community-engaged research, and opportunities to work on faculty-led projects. Many students complete a substantive senior thesis, policy brief or practicum portfolio as their culminating experience.
• Electives and concentrations: students can tailor their programme by choosing electives that create informal concentrations—examples include public policy and administration, social inequality and justice, community development, or quantitative social research.
• Assessment methods: a mix of written assignments, research papers, presentations, data projects, and a capstone that demonstrates interdisciplinary synthesis.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Bachelor in Social Sciences follows Ramapo College's undergraduate application process. Typical entry expectations include a completed high school diploma or equivalent, a competitive academic record, and a record of relevant extracurricular or community involvement.

• Academic transcripts: submission of high school transcripts showing preparation in humanities and social sciences. Schools may consider the overall strength of curriculum and grades.
• Standardised tests: some applicants may submit standardised test scores where required or optional according to current institutional policy; check the college admissions guidance for the latest stance.
• Supporting materials: a personal statement or essay outlining interest in social sciences, and optionally letters of recommendation or examples of prior research or community work.
• International applicants: proof of English language proficiency through accepted tests or equivalent qualifications if English is not the applicant's first language, and submission of certified academic records translated into English when necessary.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Social Sciences programme are prepared for a broad range of career paths that value critical thinking, research literacy and communication skills.

• Public sector and policy: roles in local, state or federal government, policy analysis, programme administration and community planning.
• Non-profit and community organisations: programme coordination, community outreach, advocacy, grant writing and evaluation.
• Research and data roles: research assistantships, survey and data analysis positions, and entry-level roles in social research firms or think tanks.
• Private sector and consulting: human resources, market research, corporate social responsibility and roles that require stakeholder engagement and social impact assessment.
• Further study and professional schools: many graduates go on to pursue postgraduate degrees in social work, public policy, law, sociology, anthropology, education or related disciplines.

Why study at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo offers a liberal arts environment with an interdisciplinary approach well suited to social science study. The college emphasises close faculty-student interaction, experiential learning and practical application of classroom knowledge.

• Interdisciplinary focus: the curriculum is designed to cross traditional departmental boundaries, encouraging students to combine perspectives and methods from multiple social science fields.
• Small classes and mentoring: students work closely with faculty on independent projects, research and capstones, benefitting from personalised mentorship.
• Experiential opportunities: strong links to internships, community partnerships and field placements provide real-world experience in nearby communities and metropolitan areas.
• Support services: career services, internship offices and academic advising help students map coursework to career goals and postgraduate plans.
• Location advantages: proximity to New York City and regional agencies expands internship, networking and research opportunities while the campus provides a focused learning environment.