Dean's Message

Professor Kenneth Benoit
Professor of Computational Social Science
Dean, School of Social Sciences

Today’s increasingly complex world demands a new generation of Social Science graduates who possess a robust foundation in social science theories and frameworks. More importantly, these graduates need to be versatile in managing complexities and solving problems. The study of social science addresses a wide range of concerns, from the psychological foundations of the individual and group behaviour to the nature of social institutions, to the driving forces of political action.

The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) enables a multi-disciplinary study of Singapore and Asia, and holistically prepares graduates to work across public, private, non-profit and international organisations in areas addressing the numerous challenges facing contemporary society. Our faculty have wide-ranging research interests, covering topics such as subjective well-being, international development, international migration, social networks, ageing, nation building, comparative politics, computational social science and sustainability, offering students opportunities for engaging in research and addressing real-life challenges.

SOSS offers four degree programmes. These are the Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc), the Master of Sustainability (MST) that is co-directed by the College of Integrative Sciences, the Fast Track Master of Philosophy (FTMP) in Psychology and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology.

The BSocSc offers four primary majors – Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, and PLE (Politics, Law and Economics), and three second majors – Sustainable Societies, Public Policy and Public Management, and Global Asia. The curriculum is rigorous yet flexible. You may choose to focus on a single discipline or broaden your perspective by reading one of the many second majors offered by SMU undergraduate schools.

The MST delivers an inter-disciplinary curriculum that prioritises essential skills in sustainability, focusing on reasoning, communication, coordination, and management to prepare graduate students for current and future jobs in the green economy. Through the MST, students will learn about the sustainable use of organisational and natural resources in service of socially equitable outcomes as well as gain familiarity with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the fundamentals of Singapore's Green Plan 2030.

The FTMP in Psychology is a 2-year programme targeting Year 4 SMU undergraduates interested in developing research knowledge and skills—especially those who are considering a PhD in psychology. The FTMP would enable students to earn a master’s in psychology one year after graduating.

The PhD in Psychology is a research programme designed to equip students with doctoral-level knowledge in content areas in psychology and research methodology, focusing on areas in cognitive, cultural, developmental, social, personality, and organizational psychology. PhD students are taught and mentored by a dedicated team of outstanding professors who come from the world’s best universities.

At SOSS, you will not only be equipped with broad-based academic knowledge, but also with analytical and practical skills acquired through hands-on real-life application, industry collaborations, internships, and community projects. This experiential learning experience will empower you to thrive in a variety of vocations. Join SOSS and embark on a journey that is personally transformative and fulfilling. We look forward to having you join our school and together make a meaningful and enduring impact.