General Social Sciences

General Social Sciences (GSS) is a multidisciplinary, undergraduate program that prepares students for success in an interconnected global environment. The GSS curriculum provides flexibility in both class schedules and coursework, allowing students to tailor their education according to their interests and to balance multiple academic or personal pursuits. Our program welcomes students of all identities and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive intellectual community.

Read about the Indigenous history of our local land.

General Social Sciences Commencement Ceremony

Monday, June 16th, 2025
1:00pm
Autzen Stadium

More Commencement information

What You Can Do with a Degree in General Social Sciences

General Social Sciences majors learn how to analyze social issues using research and critical thinking. They also develop innovative problem-solving skills, which are applicable towards professional fields like business, government, law, and education. Those who study general social sciences frequently go on to pursue careers in:

  • Planning, public policy, or international relations
  • Industry and laboratories
  • State and federal government agencies
  • Research institutes
  • Colleges and universities
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Master's programs in teaching
  • Primary and secondary education
  • Graduate school in social work or law
  • Law enforcement
  • Criminal justice
  • Social justice advocacy
  • MBA program
  • Business (domestic or international)
  • Nongovernmental or intergovernmental organizations
  • Government
Micalya Cox

How GSS Launches Your Career

"During my internship at a London law firm, I immersed myself in mental health advocacy, supporting clients through complex tribunal processes. My background in General Social Science proved invaluable, particularly when reviewing psychological reports and communicating sensitively with clients facing mental health challenges. The analytical skills honed in my social science coursework, especially Professor Stotter's PPPM 418 class, directly translated to drafting professional correspondence and legal documentation. Through hands-on experience in both the Mental Health and Family departments, I gained practical insight into how legal systems intersect with social services. Whether signing up new clients, preparing case materials, or providing court clerking support, my academic foundation in social science enhanced my ability to approach cases with both legal precision and human understanding."

—Micayla Cox, General Social Sciences

Our Degree Programs

The General Social Sciences Program offers students the flexibility to design a major that combines courses from several departments across campus. Students within our program can choose from four distinct major concentrations or two minors:

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Learn from Experts in the Field

Students within our program learn from faculty experts within a broad range of social sciences departments. They may also take courses from the university's professional schools, including Business, Education, Journalism, and Planning and Public Policy Management.

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Get Real-world Experience

GSS majors can gain experiential learning experience in their fields of interest through internships, study abroad programs, and other opportunities outside the classroom.

Scholarships and Funding

The General Social Sciences Program offers scholarships for undergraduate students who show academic merit. Students can also seek funding through the College of Arts and Sciences, which awards various scholarships to both incoming students and those who are already attending the UO.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Academic Support

Students are strongly encouraged to maintain contact with their academic advisors to discuss their course of study and plan for their careers. Students in the GSS program can seek advising through Tykeson Hall or consult one of the department’s undergraduate advisors.

Undergraduate Advising

General Social Sciences News and Events

GENERAL SOCIAL SCIENCES, POLITICAL SCIENCE – Alum Irisa Mehta '23 wanted to be a voice for others, to be a representative for those who face the educational barrier of understanding our criminal justice system. She took on two majors and two minors to make sure she was prepared for anything. She learned a lot academically and about how to have fun.
GENERAL SOCIAL SCIENCES - What brings people together? Alumni Connor Bussey, BS ’19 (business administration), and Adam Faris, BS ’20 (general social science), took to the popular TikTok platform for answers to that question during the pandemic. What they found: Cars. Yachts. Mansions. Sports. No, really.
University of Oregon alumnae are changing the face of public service. We look to the women highlighted in this article to govern nations, lead at the highest level of the military, interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases, and serve the public in state and local government.

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Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies Presents: A Talk with Author Dean Spade on “Love in a F*cked-Up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together"
May23
Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies Presents: A Talk with Author Dean Spade on “Love in a F*cked-Up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together" May 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Spring Ring Lecture
May23
Spring Ring Lecture May 23 McKenzie Hall
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
May23
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE May 23 Miller Theatre Complex
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
May24
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE May 24 Miller Theatre Complex
Cinema Studies Presents: "Building a Future in Filmmaking A Discussion with Recent Cinema Studies Grads"
May25
Cinema Studies Presents: "Building a Future in Filmmaking A Discussion with Recent Cinema Studies Grads" May 25
Department of History Coffee Hour
May27
Department of History Coffee Hour May 27 McKenzie Hall
The Center of the World: A Global History of the Persian Gulf
May27
The Center of the World: A Global History of the Persian Gulf May 27 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
The Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies Presents: “Double Crossover”: Book Launch and Reception with Courtney M. Cox
May29
The Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies Presents: “Double Crossover”: Book Launch and Reception with Courtney M. Cox May 29 Ford Alumni Center
Cinema Studies and University Film Organization Present: UO Film Festival
May30
Cinema Studies and University Film Organization Present: UO Film Festival May 30 Lawrence Hall
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
May30
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE May 30 Miller Theatre Complex

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