About this Program
Social Science Data Analytics is an interdisciplinary minor that prepares students to work with data to gain insights into social, political, and economic processes.
The minor integrates courses using methods across the social sciences, including econometrics, statistics, game theory, text analysis, GIS, experimental methods, and qualitative approaches to data. This diverse array of courses gives students a unique skill set needed to think creatively about data, develop and test hypotheses, and problem solve complex data analysis challenges.
Acquired Skills
Students who complete the minor will learn skills and tools necessary to prepare, analyze, visualize, and present data and be able to communicate the conclusions drawn from said data analysis. Students will also learn how to apply data-driven approaches to real-world problems found in a variety of research settings.
Program Learning Outcomes
The minor in Social Science Data Analytics (SSDA) provides a foundational instruction to many of the tools and applications of data analysis used in a social science context. Goals and learning outcomes for the SSDA program include:
1. Students will demonstrate a base level of proficiency in applying statistical and survey methods used in social data collection, analysis, and visualization.
2. Students will demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate findings and inferences from data in both words and writing.
3. Students will demonstrate an ability to apply conclusions drawn from data to real life problems and decisions.
Career Possibilities
Students will gain practical experience with data collected in a variety of formats and using a variety of programming languages and platforms. This will give students strong applied skills in using these platforms and enable them to complete a variety of research tasks found in many career fields, including government, business, public health, and industry positions. The minor also will prepare students to go on to graduate programs in law, public policy, the social sciences, or business.
Admissions and Scholarships
CAHSS is proud to be able to offer over 90 alumni and donor funded scholarships to our students each year. In total over $190,000 is awarded out to CAHSS majors and some minors as well. Each department facilitates the process for their specific scholarships and students are also encouraged to apply for CAHSS-wide scholarships offered to students in any field.
Student Clubs
Majoring or minoring at UMD is not just about taking courses. You may be interested in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as the Political Science Association, the Pre-Law Club, and the Mock Trial Team where you will meet and make friendships, sometimes life long, with students like yourself and students who are nothing like you at all! !