Computational Social Science, BA

Program Overview

The Computational Social Science (CSS) program equips students with the skills to analyze human social and behavioral data, uncover patterns, and address contemporary challenges in public policy, business, and society.

Ideal for those drawn to problem-solving through data and social science, this program combines coursework in computational tools, data visualization, and foundational social, political, and economic concepts. Students will gain real-world skills applicable to diverse fields, from public health and social media analysis to marketing, sports statistics, and trend forecasting.

The 30-credit CSS major includes foundational courses in computational and statistical methods, as well as advanced electives spanning geography, anthropology, psychology, and more. For students seeking a focused exploration, the 15-credit CSS minor emphasizes core knowledge, analysis, and application in the field.

Why Study Computational Social Science?

The CSS major or minor will prepare students to understand, engage with, and solve evolving, complex challenges such as climate change, social polarization, and inequality. By learning coding languages to analyze and visualize large data sets, students will gain the capacity to explore their interests using the data sources that surround us. Making your own discoveries, uncovering patterns and finding innovate solutions is central to computational social science. Graduates will enter a fast-growing, field with real impact on the world.

Combining core CSS skills and interdisciplinary electives, students gain real-world experience and the flexibility to tailor their education while tackling issues ranging from public health to AI’s societal impacts. Through small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and collaborative research opportunities, students graduate as leaders ready to address complex socio-economic and environmental challenges, foster smart governance and informed public engagement and discourse.

At UT and beyond, CSS graduates will lead efforts to inform policy decisions, spark public engagement, and improve science communication, while advancing smart governance, equitable decision-making, and the flow of information between science and society. With their ability to analyze and address how socio-economic disparities become entrenched in institutional norms, CSS graduates will enter fields like municipal government, public policy, and global innovation.

What Can You Do with an BA in Computational Social Science After Graduation?

The job market for Computational Social Sciences (CSS) is rapidly expanding across business, government, academia, and research. CSS research centers are being launched at leading universities globally, reflecting the field’s growing influence.

Graduates of CSS programs are highly employable, with career opportunities in roles like data scientist, social policy analyst, market analyst, and public health data strategist. Employers range from tech giants like Google, which uses CSS to address the societal impacts of AI, to government agencies shaping policy, non-profits driving social change, and consulting firms like McKinsey and Deloitte. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Research, employment in the broader computational and data science sector is growing at 5 percent annually, with an average salary of more than $100,000.

Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates

Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.

• Geography minor
• Political Science minor
• Computational Social Science Undergraduate Certificate

Looking For More Options?

The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline. 

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