# Social and Decision Sciences

**Source**: https://www.cmu.edu/admission/majors-programs/dietrich-college-of-humanities-social-sciences/social-and-decision-sciences
**Parent**: https://www.cmu.edu/admission/majors-programs

## Understanding what makes people tick and why it matters.

## [Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences](https://www.cmu.edu/admission/majors-programs/dietrich-college-of-humanities-social-sciences "Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences")

# Social and Decision Sciences

In the Department of Social and Decision Sciences, you’ll study the most fascinating subject of all: the human mind. You’ll learn about what drives human behavior, and how you can use that information to predict outcomes and help organizations make better decisions. In courses and research led by expert faculty, you’ll combine disciplines and converge knowledge from all over the university to better understand why people do what they do — and when you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a career doing something you’re all kinds of passionate about.

# Social and Decision Sciences Majors and Minors

Choose the path that fits you best. [Browse all current Social and Decision Sciences curriculums and courses.](http://coursecatalog.web.cmu.edu/schools-colleges/dietrichcollegeofhumanitiesandsocialsciences/departmentofsocialanddecisionsciences/)

## Behavioral Economics

**Bachelor of Science**\
**Minor**

Uniting perspectives from economics and psychology, this interdisciplinary major — the first of its kind — will help you better understand and predict human behavior in economic contexts. You’ll be taught by exceptional faculty who regularly lend their expertise to government and business, and you’ll research alongside them as you collect original data, design field and lab experiments, analyze data and develop interventions to improve economic outcomes and decisions. With this degree, you’ll be in high demand: organizations rely on behavioral economists to improve their effectiveness and profitability, and government agencies recruit them to incorporate their insights into the design of public policy.

## Decision Science

**Bachelor of Science\
Minor**

In this degree program — the only undergraduate major that integrates analytical and behavioral approaches to decision making — you’ll learn to understand and improve the judgment and decision making of individuals, groups and organizations. Led by outstanding faculty with professional experience, you’ll gain firsthand knowledge about how decision making impacts fields like medicine, law, risk management, marketing and business. After graduation, you’ll be qualified to start graduate studies in decision science or a related field, to pursue a professional degree, or to start a career in business, government, consulting or the nonprofit sector.

With a minor in Decision Science, you’ll survey a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The courses present descriptive and normative approaches to judgment and decision making, as well as application of theories and results to real-world problems.

## Policy and Management

**Bachelor of Science\
Minor**

This major will prepare you for key decision-making and management roles in government, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Balancing theoretical and practical skills, you’ll take courses in three core areas (policy, management and empirical), and work with your advisor to choose one of four concentrations — analytics, policy, management or law. Your education culminates in a capstone course, where you’ll work in a team to apply the research and analytical methods you’ve learned to a real-world problem. This degree is an excellent choice if you’re planning to go on to a professional program in law, business or public policy, or if you’re pursuing a graduate degree in economics, political science or decision science.

Regardless of your major, the Policy and Management minor will allow you to gain the key decision-making skills needed in a variety of fields. The minor provides an excellent combination of theoretical and practical skills for those who intend to seek managerial positions.

Contact

### Department of Social and Decision Sciences

208 Porter Hall\
Carnegie Mellon University\
5000 Forbes Avenue \
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

[T: 412.268.3665](tel:412.268.3665)

[cla2@andrew.cmu.edu](mailto:cla2@andrew.cmu.edu)

[estoyle@andrew.cmu.edu](mailto:estoyle@andrew.cmu.edu)

[Social and Decision Sciences Website](https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/)

[Apply Now](https://www.cmu.edu/admission/admission/apply "Apply")

## Classes of 2024 - 2025, Six Months After Graduation

## 91%

Employed or in Grad School

## $84,292

Average Salary

# Recent Employers

Accenture

Amazon

Epic

McKinsey & Company

[More Post-Graduation Stats](https://www.cmu.edu/career/outcomes/post-grad-dashboard.html)

# High School Course Requirements

4 years English

3 years Mathematics\*\*

1 year Science (2 or more preferred)

2 years Foreign Language

6 electives

\*\*Three years of mathematics should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, elementary functions as well as pre-calculus. Advanced mathematics courses are encouraged.

## Apply

Submit your application for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

[Get Started](https://www.cmu.edu/admission/admission/apply "Apply")

# Mix It Up

You’re not just one thing. You’re a scientist. An artist. A technologist. A maker. A writer. Carnegie Mellon has been mixing it up for decades, and whatever you want to pursue, we’ve got the right mix for you.

[The CMU Experience](https://www.cmu.edu/admission/majors-programs/interdisciplinary-studies "Interdisciplinary Studies")

[How to Major in Mixing-It-Up](https://www.cmu.edu/admission/majors-programs/interdisciplinary-studies/interdisciplinary-majors "Interdisciplinary Majors ")