What careers can you pursue with an online master's degree in social sciences?

An online master's degree in the social sciences can lead to jobs in dual-enrollment and community college teaching, secondary education leadership, public administration and policy, historical research and museum work, and nonprofit management. Ohio University's online Master of Social Sciences (M.S.S.) is a 32-credit-hour, fully online program combining history with disciplines such as political science, geography, anthropology, sociology and economics. Students can finish in as few as four semesters, with no GRE and no thesis.

What is a Master of Social Sciences degree?

A Master of Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary graduate degree that builds advanced content knowledge across several social science fields instead of just one. At Ohio University, the M.S.S. is offered by the Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences and emphasizes United States and Western Civilization histories.

A single-discipline M.A. in History goes deep into one field or concentration. The M.S.S. is broader: students complete eight 4-credit courses, four in history (including one colloquium) and four in other social sciences. Instead of a thesis, students pass an exit exam in their final semester.

Ohio University M.S.S. program at-a-glance

• Credit hours: 32 (eight courses)
• Time to completion: As few as four semesters, about 18 months
• Format: 100% online, with fall, spring and summer starts
• Disciplines: History, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, geography, and women's, gender and sexuality studies
• Culminating requirement: Exit exam (no thesis)
• Admission: A bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited institution, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (conditional admission may be considered below 3.0), transcripts and a personal statement of up to 500 words. No GRE and no recommendation letters are required (admissions details).

Career Options in Social Sciences

Dual-enrollment and college-level teaching

Teaching college-credit courses to high school students is one of the most direct uses of a social sciences master's degree. Ohio University designed the M.S.S. to be especially well suited for high school teachers who want to teach college-level or dual-enrollment courses (College Credit Plus).

What credentials do you need to teach College Credit Plus courses in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Higher Education requires College Credit Plus (CCP) instructors of general education courses to hold either a master's degree in the discipline or a master's degree plus at least 18 graduate semester hours relevant to the discipline. This matches the faculty qualification standard of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Ohio also offers a three-year pathway for teachers who have at least nine graduate hours and a plan to finish the rest.

The partner college or university makes the final teaching approval decision. Finishing a graduate program does not guarantee approval as a dual-enrollment instructor. Candidates should check with the approving institution how their coursework lines up with the subject they plan to teach.

Community college teaching

Like dual-enrollment instructors, community college faculty who teach general education courses must meet the Higher Learning Commission's faculty qualification standards at HLC-accredited institutions. Instructors need either a master's degree in the discipline or subfield, or a master's degree in another field plus at least 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline they teach. Because each college reviews its own faculty credentials, candidates should confirm how their graduate coursework fits the specific courses they hope to teach.

Demand for postsecondary instructors is strong. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects 7% employment growth for postsecondary teachers from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Social science graduates often teach introductory courses such as U.S. history, Western civilization, American government and world geography, which are core general education requirements at many two-year colleges.

Secondary education advancement

For current middle and high school teachers, an M.S.S. builds subject expertise in history, civics and related social sciences. That depth helps in the classroom and prepares teachers for advanced coursework, curriculum leadership and dual-enrollment teaching. Ohio University designed the program with working teachers in mind, offering fully online courses and three start dates each year.

A teacher preparation program leads to a state license. The M.S.S. is different: it is a content-focused degree and does not grant teaching licensure. However, a graduate degree can help licensed teachers meet ongoing state requirements.

Public administration and policy

Ohio University designed the M.S.S. for public administrators as well as teachers. Coursework in political science, economics and history helps graduates analyze policy, understand how government institutions developed and put current issues in historical context.

A master's degree in political science, public administration or a related field is the typical entry-level education needed for political scientists. About 68% of political scientists work for the federal government, and others work at policy research institutes, political organizations and advocacy groups. The M.S.S. focuses on the historical and social science knowledge behind policy decisions, rather than putting the policies in action, like in an MPA does. Professionals already working in government, such as program staff and legislative aides, can use the M.S.S. to strengthen their research and analysis skills.

Historical research, archives and museums

History-focused graduates often work in museums, historical societies, archives and research organizations. They also preserve materials, create educational programs, and publish their findings. 

Archivists and curators also typically need a master's degree, according to the BLS. Archivists, curators and museum workers held about 38,500 jobs in 2025, and the field is projected to grow 4% through 2035, with about 4,300 openings each year. Some curatorial and conservation roles prefer specialized degrees in museum studies or conservation, which can pair well with a broad social science background.

Nonprofit and community service leadership

Coursework in sociology, anthropology, and social history helps professionals understand the communities that nonprofits and public agencies serve. That background helps with program planning, grant writing and community outreach, all central to mission-driven work.

Social and community service managers coordinate programs that support community well-being. Their duties include overseeing programs, analyzing data, supervising staff and writing funding proposals.

How does the M.S.S. compare to other graduate degrees?

• M.S.S. vs. M.A. in History: The M.S.S. covers several disciplines and ends in an exit exam. An M.A. typically focuses on one field and often requires a thesis.
• M.S.S. vs. M.Ed.: The M.S.S. builds subject-matter expertise. An M.Ed. focuses on teaching methods, curriculum and school leadership.
• M.S.S. vs. MSW: The M.S.S. is content-based ranging broadly over multiple disciplines. The MSW leads to professional licensure in social work. 

Is an online master's degree in the social sciences worth it?

An online master's degree in the social sciences is a good fit for professionals who want broad subject expertise without a thesis or a multi-year commitment. The four fastest-growing paths in this article all pair well with advanced social science knowledge. 

The degree's value depends on what you want to do with it. A single-discipline master's goes deep into one field. The Master of Social Sciences gives breadth across several. For teachers working toward dual-enrollment roles, public administrators who want context for policy decisions, and professionals moving into museums or nonprofits, that breadth can open more doors.

Take the next step with Ohio University

Ohio University's online Master of Social Sciences combines history with political science, geography, anthropology, sociology, economics, and women's, gender and sexuality studies in eight fully online courses. Students can start in fall, spring or summer and finish in as few as four semesters, with no GRE and no thesis.

If you're ready to deepen your expertise and grow your career options, review the admission requirements and application deadlines or visit the Department of History's program page to learn more about the curriculum and faculty.