Studying the social sciences at CWRU equips you with the intellectual and practical capacity to enter an array of fields: medicine, law, public health, business, public service, academic pursuits and more. Our faculty conduct groundbreaking research into virtually every aspect of society, and they will challenge you to forge new insights into human behavior—in the classroom and in the field.
of social science students conduct research or pursue a creative endeavor
of social science students study abroad
in funding available to support research and creative projects
social science classes have fewer than 20 students
average amount awarded for experiential learning fellowships
Programs
Most are offered as a major or a minor
- Anthropology
- Cognitive Science
- Communication Sciences
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Gerontological Studies
- International Studies
- Origins Sciences
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Teacher Education
- Women’s and Gender Studies
-
Minor only
- Childhood Studies
- Communication for Health Professionals
- Environmental Nutrition
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Social Justice
- Social Work
Take the first step toward your future at Case Western Reserve. Apply today.
Internships and fellowships
Well-funded internship and fellowship programs take our students around the world.
Experiential Learning Fellowships
Through the Rocks Fellowship, Traub Fellowship and Experiential Learning Fellowship in Anthropology, students explore independent research opportunities. For example:
- International studies and Middle Eastern studies major Elizabeth Hanna attended the “Philos Nexus”
conference in New York City—part of the Philos Project, a nongovernmental organization that promotes pluralism in the Middle East. - Dominica Rollins attended a summer session at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, to further her academic pursuit of classical studies along with her minors in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian studies and Arabic language.
Wellman Hill Internships
Political science majors are funded to participate in summer public service internships. Recent placements include:
- Mamadi Jallow spent a summer working on immigration cases and events for former Congressman José E. Serrano (15th District, New York). A highlight was inviting children from this predominantly Hispanic and Black district to meet Joe Acaba, the first astronaut of Puerto Rican heritage in space.
- Sneha Darbha interned with the New York State Health Foundation, researching ways grantees in six New York City neighborhoods could scale up their work into advocacy—and learning techniques in capacity-building mechanisms and how to create community-based, resident-led decision-making processes.
Mann Child Policy Externship Program
Students are funded to do research and policy work with agencies and organizations serving children.
- Anthropology major James Darnell worked with First Year Cleveland—a public-private partnership seeking to end infant mortality—where he helped organize and host a summit for more than 500 people to discuss America’s history of racism.
- Economics, psychology and sociology major Mary Kathryn Ford worked with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court researching juveniles who stayed in the detention center for five days or fewer—examining data for common trends and introducing potential policy and practice opportunities
designed to increase diversion.
Each Case Western Reserve University student brings their own background and interests to our campus, creating a culture that’s dynamic, diverse and inclusive.
Faculty
Study with nationally recognized faculty in a social sciences-rich community.
- Institute for the Science of Origins
Anthropology professor Bruce Latimer, PhD, routinely accompanies students on archaeological digs at Manot Cave in Western Galilee in Israel. The only land bridge connecting Africa, Europe and Asia, it provides a unique look at the migration of early humans. - Social Justice Institute
Each spring, undergraduate Social Justice Scholars dig deep into a topic, such as immigration reform. Scholars receive a stipend and, through their experience, help support and strengthen the social justice community at CWRU. - Center for Policy Studies
Through the Friday Public Affairs Discussion Group, students engage in dialogue with top policy experts on topics such as “Battle for the Ballot Box,” “Freedom of Expression on College Campuses” and “Encryption: Privacy v. Public Safety.” - Schubert Center for Child Studies
The center helps support child-focused research and student-based organizations such as Art Forward, which allows CWRU students to engage with residents of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center through monthly art projects.
Clubs and organizations for social sciences students
With clubs and organizations ranging from Acts of Random Kindness to IMPROVment to the Scuba Club, you’ll find all kinds of ways to pursue your academic goals and personal interests.
A few to check out:
- Anthropology Student Association
- Billion Bottle Project (advocates for safe drinking water)
- Cleveland Public Schools Connection (after-school program for inner-city middle school students)
- Cognitive Science Student Organization
- CWRU Science and Human Rights Coalition (enacting science policy for a better world)
- Food Recovery Network (fights food waste)
- Global Ethical Leaders Society
- Habitat for Humanity
- Kids Against Hunger Cleveland (stocks soup kitchens and food pantries)
- Law for Environment, Animals and Food
- Model United Nations
- Student Sustainability Council
- TEDx at CWRU
- The Observer (campus newspaper)
- Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative (support for campus-wide diversity/inclusion organizations)
- Undergraduate Mock Trial
- ...and dozens more!
Outcomes
Nearly 97% of recent social science grads are employed or attending graduate/professional school within six months.
Some recent grad school acceptances
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Columbia University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- New York University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Chicago
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Texas at Austin
- Washington University in St. Louis
Some recent job placements
- Accenture
- AmeriCorps
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Catholic Relief Services
- Cleveland Clinic
- Fulbright Scholar Program
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Oracle
- Peace Corps
- RAND Corporation
- Teach for America
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Department of State
- World Bank
Events social sciences students love
Think Forum
- This free lecture series brings preeminent writers, scholars and experts from around the world to the university’s Maltz Performing Arts Center. Recent speakers include Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner with his novel The Sympathizer, and activist Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement.
Camp Kesem fundraisers
- This free, weeklong camp is run by CWRU students for children whose parents have cancer. It’s a place for kids to be kids and student-run fundraisers make it happen!
- Annual Brinner
It’s breakfast and dinner—buy waffles. - Make the Magic benefit dinner
Enjoy a snazzy dinner and help with the silent and live auctions.
Political Science Election Night Watch Parties
- Join fellow students for free food and beverages and fresh faculty commentary. Election night at its best!
Learn more from our student's stories
Learn about how alumnus Ethan Kinstler combined his studies in theater and psychology at CWRU to conduct research on cognitive behavioral therapy and theatrical improvisation at reducing social anxiety in children.