Social and Behavioral Sciences | Online
- Bachelor of Art (BA)
- Undergraduate Major (Online)
Modes of study:
Our online program is intentionally broad, leading to careers in psychology, social work, public health, sociology, and more. Your courses interweave liberal arts with real-world training. You dig deep into the individual, social, and cultural influences that shape our world. At the University of Southern Maine (USM), you learn from skilled teachers, licensed practitioners, prominent scholars, and community leaders.
Academic support system
Connect with easily accessible faculty, meet online with your professional advisor, and receive 1-on-1 career counseling
Build your professional network
Your internship offers valuable connections with businesses and non-profits
Tailored to your goals
Design your own focal area or choose from three specializations: Counseling, Public Health, or Regulatory Ethics
Academic catalog
Our engaging curriculum offers an integrative and rigorous liberal education.
Program duration
Typical completion time: 4 years. Flexible options may save time.
Department
Admissions
SAT & ACT scores optional. Early action & year-round admissions.
Embedded in the community
At USM, community engagement inspires civic duty and ethical citizenship. You complete a required internship course, working side-by-side with professionals at a local partner organization—an experience many alumni describe as “transformative.” Other courses combine short-term community engagement opportunities with classroom learning.
Looking ahead to graduate school?
Good news! This major is eligible for Accelerated Graduate Pathways to our master’s programs in Counseling, Occupational Therapy, and Special Education; and the University of Maine School of Law. You could save time and money earning our master’s or JD. Pathways require graduate-level courses, which may be held in person.
Transfer students are welcome!
We welcome students who are transferring from another four-year university or community college. Admissions Counselors are ready to help you navigate the admissions and credit-transfer process.
Where can you go with a major in Social & Behavioral Science?
Discover your path at USM
USM alumni work in behavioral, mental, and public health agencies. Employers include MaineHealth, The Opportunity Alliance, and the US Veterans Health Administration.
We’re here to help answer questions about costs
What to expect when you major in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Meet your professors
Each of our full-time faculty members brings diverse experiences, socio-cultural backgrounds, and intellectual traditions within the fields of anthropology, psychology, social work, and more.
Online student support
Our online students receive the same superior support as those who study on campus, including one-on-one career advising, video meetings with tutors and writing assistants, and technology assistance.
Welcoming adult students
We understand the demands of completing your degree while maintaining your work schedule and life responsibilities. Here, you’ll find flexibility and personal support to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Next steps
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.
