Students studying the social sciences are committed to the pursuit of social justice, the enhancement of everyone’s quality of life, and the development of the full potential of each person, group, and community in society. We cover diverse areas of study and help you broaden your understanding of people and cultures. Through candid discussions on topics such as inequality, class structure, criminal behavior, social systems, and interpersonal relationships, you learn about effective ways of working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

After majoring in psychology at Elms, Melaney went on to become an entrepreneur, opening an online clothing boutique for women.

Apply Your Research

The social sciences give you a better understanding of individuals, communities, and the world. Internships, clinical practica, and fieldwork opportunities enable you to put theory into action and gain experience in professional settings.

Analyze the Roots of Human Behavior

Social sciences majors explore the whys and hows of human interaction, behavior, communication, and mental processes.

Explore the Sociological Imagination

Social problems are multilayered and complex. Our courses encourage you to investigate the connections between individual and society to develop solutions to contemporary issues.

The Elms Experience

  • Photo of Associate Professor of Psychology Jen Rivers & Sarah Picard '18, a psychology major

    Gaming the Social System

    Associate Professor of Psychology Jennifer Rivers and her students are researching the effects of gaming on empathy and ethical decision making.

    Read more about applied research opportunities at Elms.
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  • Photo of Tracey Aloisio, a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) major

    Tracey Aloisio ’14

    After majoring in CSD at Elms, Tracey went on to become a clinical audiologist, helping children, adults, and elderly patients rediscover the joys of sound.

    Read Tracey’s Story
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  • Photo of 2019 St. Thomas More Scholarship Recipients Hannah Pichardo '21 and Manuel Savalza '21 . Courtesy of Sharon Roulier and iObserve

    CJ Majors Earn Local Scholarship

    Hannah Pichardo ’21 and Manuel Savalza ’21 are each one step closer to careers in criminal justice thanks to earning scholarships from the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Springfield.

    Read about criminal justice career paths at Elms.
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  • Photo of social work major Dionna Lockett '19

    Dionna Lockett ’19

    Social work major Dionna Lockett ’19 is taking steps to achieve post-incarceration justice for a more equitable future. Her internship at a local courthouse was the first step in achieving that dream.

    Learn more about social work internships.
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  • Photo of Associate Professor of Psychology Jen Rivers & Sarah Picard '18, a psychology major
    Gaming the Social System
  • Photo of Tracey Aloisio, a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) major
    Tracey Aloisio ’14
  • Photo of 2019 St. Thomas More Scholarship Recipients Hannah Pichardo '21 and Manuel Savalza '21 . Courtesy of Sharon Roulier and iObserve
    CJ Majors Earn Local Scholarship
  • Photo of social work major Dionna Lockett '19
    Dionna Lockett ’19