Canisius University

What you'll study

The programme offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates theory, empirical research and applied learning. Core study areas typically include sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, and social psychology, supported by courses in research methods and statistics.

• Foundations of Social Science: introductions to major social-science disciplines and key theoretical perspectives.
• Research Methods and Statistics: quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, survey design and interpretation of social data.
• Social Theory and Ethics: classical and contemporary theories of society, ethics and social justice informed by the university's liberal arts and Jesuit traditions.
• Area and Topic Studies: courses on public policy, community development, race and ethnicity, gender, globalization, and urban studies.
• Practical Learning: internship or practicum options, community-based learning projects, and applied research seminars.
• Capstone or Independent Research: a senior seminar, capstone project or independent research paper synthesising disciplinary perspectives and demonstrating research skills.

Entry requirements

Admission to the bachelor's programme normally requires a completed secondary-school qualification equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. Applicants should submit official transcripts and a personal statement outlining their interest in social sciences. Canisius University reviews applications holistically, taking account of academic performance, extracurricular involvement and recommendations.

• Standard academic background: secondary-school credentials with coursework in social studies, mathematics and writing recommended.
• Standardised tests: requirements may vary; applicants should consult the university for current testing policies.
• International applicants: an equivalent secondary qualification and documented English language proficiency where English is not the applicant's first language.
• Non-traditional applicants: mature students and transfer applicants are considered; transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis.

Career prospects

Graduates leave the programme with strong analytical, research and communication skills that are valuable across public, private and nonprofit sectors. Typical entry-level roles and pathways include:

• Policy assistant or analyst in local, state or national government
• Program coordinator or case worker in social services and community organisations
• Research assistant or data analyst in think tanks, NGOs and market research firms
• Human resources, advocacy or public relations roles in corporate and nonprofit settings
• Further study in graduate programmes such as social work, public administration, law or academic research in the social sciences

Why study at Canisius University

Canisius combines a liberal arts foundation with a Jesuit commitment to ethical leadership and service, creating a learning environment that emphasises critical thinking and civic engagement. Small class sizes support close faculty mentoring and collaborative learning, and faculty members are accessible for supervised research projects.

• Experiential opportunities: a strong focus on internships, community-based learning and applied research with local organisations in the Buffalo region.
• Supportive environment: academic advising, writing support and career services help students plan internships, study abroad experiences and graduate-school pathways.
• Interdisciplinary flexibility: students can tailor their course of study with electives and minors to match interests in policy, international issues, criminal justice or other related fields.