Social and Decision Sciences Undergraduate Program
The department offers undergraduate majors in Behavioral Economics, Decision Science and Policy and Management. All majors can be primary or additional majors.
These programs examine how individuals, organizations and institutions make decisions and apply those insights in business, government and research.
Students develop skills in data analysis, experimentation, policy evaluation and organizational decision making, and can tailor their studies through electives, research opportunities and internships.
Undergraduate majors
Behavioral Economics
Examines how people behave in economic settings and how that behavior can be influenced. Students apply insights from economics and psychology to policy, organizations and markets through coursework and applied projects.
Decision Science
Studies how decisions are modeled and improved using data, experiments and analytical methods. Students learn to design studies, analyze results and evaluate decision-making strategies across domains.
Policy and Management
Focuses on decision making within organizations and institutions, including policy design and management strategy. Students develop skills in policy analysis, data-driven decision making and organizational leadership.
Student experience
Students in SDS majors engage with coursework, research and applied projects that emphasize real-world problem solving. Many participate in internships, collaborate with faculty and work on projects involving data analysis, policy design and organizational decision making.
Outcomes
Graduates pursue careers in business, government, consulting and nonprofit organizations, as well as graduate study in related fields. SDS majors provide a foundation for roles involving data analysis, behavioral insights, policy evaluation and management.
Faculty and advising
Faculty work closely with students to support academic planning, research opportunities and career development. Advising resources help students tailor their coursework and experiences to their interests and goals.
Hear from department head, Gretchen Chapman
Want MORE SDS NEWs?
If you are a current CMU undergraduate student and would like to be added to the weekly undergraduate newsletter, please email Lizzy Stoyle and make sure to follow us on Instagram !
Interested in keeping up with general SDS updates?
Subscribe to our mailing list:
Share with us!
Are you involved in research? Did you just receive an awesome position? Organizing an event? Please send any interesting news stories to Lizzy Stoyle, who will feature the story to the SDS community.