Social Thought & Political Economy (STPEC)

The Social Thought and Political Economy Program (STPEC) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The only program of its kind in New England, it is designed for students who want a challenging major that will help them understand the world and work towards changing it. The program draws on courses from a variety of departments in the social sciences and humanities, including Afro-American Studies, Anthropology, Communication, Economics, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies.

Learn more about our SBS in DC interns, and follow their summer adventures on Instagram!

Check it out, here.

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Exec. Director of Career and Professional Development, SBS
Read more

2021 SBS in DC cohort member Lizette writes about her experience in the first week in DC

Every summer, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst sends a cohort of about twenty students to Washington DC for an internship experience filled with opportunities for professional and personal development. I’m part …

By Anne Lizette Sta Maria
Anne Lizette Sta Maria
Send Email
Read more

10 Sustainability Careers That Make a Difference

Sustainability is a popular and growing field that attempts to integrate social science, environmental science and civil engineering to make the earth more sustainable. Now, more than ever, the need is great for highly-educated professionals to study and implement more …

By Odessa Burkett
Odessa Burkett Associate Director of Career and Professional Development for SBS
Send Email
Read more

Sidebar

Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Explore occupations by career categories and pathways and use real time labor market data to power your decision making.

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students. The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2025 was 71%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students. The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2025 was 71%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.

Featured Alumni

Erin Buechele’19, STPEC

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • Relational Organizing Coordinator Massachusetts Democratic Party
Meet Erin

Ella Khorov’19, STPEC & Communication

Alumni
  • Washington, DC
  • Senior Policy Advisor Office of U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas
Meet Ella
View All People

Featured Resources

View More

Relevant Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses

SBS Pathways Careers Courses SOC BEHAV 250: College to CareersSOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways to Career Success SOC BEHAV 490C: Pathways…
View All Courses

Research Opportunities

View More