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Public Affairs & Social Sciences
What Are Public Affairs & Social Sciences?
Social sciences address a range of human issues. They explore the structure and impact of groups. Social and behavioral scientists examine phenomena from social, cultural, political, technological and biological perspectives. Public Affairs covers a variety of areas including government, corporate responsibility, and information and communications management. In its broadest sense it describes the relationship of organizations with their stakeholders.
Social sciences and public affairs encompass the following fields of study:
- Anthropology – the study of human diversity from a cultural, biological, and historical lens
- Sociology – the study of human social activity
- Psychology – the study of the human mind and behavior
- Social work – an interdisciplinary field of study blending psychology, sociology, ethnic studies and public policy
- Law – the study of the societal rules that govern behavior
- Global studies – an interdisciplinary field studying social, political and cultural relationships across the world
- Political science – the study of political entities and processes
- Emergency management – the study of managing disasters and minimizing their impact
- Public policy – the study of systems of law addressing a given topic
Who Should Study Public Affairs & Social Sciences?
If you plan on studying one of these subjects, you may ideally answer “yes” to the following questions:
- Do I truly enjoy learning about different human processes?
- Am I curious about people?
- Do I enjoy listening to people?
- Could I spend all day reading about, listening to, or writing other peoples’ life stories?
- Do I want to make a difference in the world by doing work that “gives back”?
- Also, you should ideally answer “no” to the following questions: Do people bore me?
- Do I have a low tolerance for socializing?
- Am I drawn to working alone, and being in minimal contact with others?
Types of Social Science and Public Affairs Careers
There are many fields of study within public affairs & social sciences, so there are many career paths from which to choose. Those holding social and behavioral science degrees may find work in:
- Government
- Business
- Law firms
- Non-governmental organizations
- Education
- Private industry
- Nonprofits
- Universities
- Newspapers
- Broadcast television
- Think tanks
- Charitable foundations
Refine Your Search
Sponsored Degree Programs
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Universiteit van Amsterdam
Master's Programme in International Development Studies
This programme offers students the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of international development issues and their academic and professional skills to analyse such issues.
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Tilburg University
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Amsterdam School of International Relations
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Radboud University
Cognitive Neuroscience
The Cognitive Neuroscience Master’s programme at Radboud University is unique in the world because of its multidisciplinary approach.
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Institute of Social Studies
Master of Arts in Development Studies
With a strong focus on training in the theory and methods relevant to development studies, the MA programme aims to equip graduates to apply insights in policy analysis in a practical context.
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International School for Humanities and Social Sciences
Summer Institute on Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction
Courses, seminars and dialogues in Amsterdam on theories and concepts as they have been developed in the field of addiction studies The seminar takes place in Amsterdam from July 13 - 26 and all class
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Delft University of Technology
International Program in Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management
A unique two year program at the interface of technology and management offered by a top European engineering university. Language of instruction: English.
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Webster University
Master of Arts in International Relations
The MA in International Relations examines the challenges and dangers of this post-Cold war era and its promise for a safer, more equitable, more caring global system.
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Erasmus University Rotterdam
Postgraduate MSc. Management of the European Metropolitan Region
This postgraduate Msc course starts every year in September and has duration of 1 year.
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Institute for Environmental Studies
European Postgraduate Course in Environmental Management (EPCEM)
EPCEM is an intensive one-year course with a international focus, that starts each year in September. It is organized by several Dutch, French and Eastern European universities.
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University of Amsterdam
Social Science Research
A Graduate program based on the unity of social science (anthropology, sociology and political science), on the integration of social science studies in Asia and the West, on a comparative approach an
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Maastricht University
International Economic Studies
International Economic Studies (IES) is an international economics programme which focuses on the international aspects of economics and emphasizes applied economic analyses without losing track of th
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Larenstein University of Professional Education
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European Postgraduate Course in Environmental Management
EPCEM
This postgraduate course takes place at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is a one-year, full time course preparing experts for environmental problem solving with an interdisciplinary approach and
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Vriji Universiteit
Research master's in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology
In a small-scale academic setting, students on the Research Master’s in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology learn about the etiology, development and course of psychopathology, and they are tra
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Wageningen University
Urban Environmental Management
Established in 1876, Wageningen University has evolved into one of the world's leading centres in the life sciences and natural resource management.
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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Political Science (MSc)
Where do differences in political systems come from, and how do such differences affect the way that people take part in society?
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University of Groningen
Research Master Behavioural and Social Sciences
In this two year programme (120 EC), you are actively involved from day one in one of these different research areas.
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Utrecht University
Economics: Education and Communication
This Master's programme leads to a teaching qualification as 'first grade' teacher in the Netherlands.
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Leiden University
MA Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
The Leiden MA in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology is unique in the way it combines the analysis of cultural difference with a critical perspective on global development.
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University of Twente
Public Administration and Public Policy
The University of Twente is a university with a strong international outlook. We have placed the strengthening of international contacts and exchanges high on our priorities for development.
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