Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in Sociology are able to pursue rewarding careers in human services, social work, government, and child welfare. Graduates with a major in Criminal Justice can pursue careers as probation officers, parole officers, law enforcement officers, and other positions within corrections at the local, state, and federal levels.

What can I do with a degree in Sociology or Criminal Justice?
The Sociology and Criminal Justice majors include all of the strengths of the liberal arts with some special strengths employers value: problem solving ability, critical thinking, the ability to speak and write clearly to a variety of audiences, the ability to bring data to bear on important issues, sensitivity to and appreciation of diversity by race, class, gender, age, and other factors, and an understanding of social systems. These strengths make a degree in Sociology or Criminal Justice an excellent springboard into many fields. The Sociology and Criminal Justice majors also provide an excellent foundation for graduate work in sociology and psychology, as well as for professional degrees in fields such as law, social work, counseling, public administration and criminology.

The B. A. in Sociology or Criminal Justice will prepare you to launch a career in business, education, government, human services, public relations, or research.

Business	Education	Government
* Market researcher * Sales manager * Customer relations * Salesperson * Data processor/analyst	* Teacher * Administrator * Consultant	* Policy administrator * Labor relations * Census worker * Program director * Prison administrator * Law enforcement * Probation/Parole Officer * Juvenile Justice Worker
Human Services	Public Relations	Research
* Social worker * Criminologist * Community organizer	* Publisher * Mass communications * Advertising	* Population analyst * Survey Researcher * Market researcher * Economic analyst * Public opinion pollster * Interviewer * Policy researcher

 

The M. A. and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology and Criminology prepare graduates for careers in teaching/research in colleges and universities and for careers in research/program development in business, industry, and organizations.

Where WMU Sociology Majors Work

Sociologists are employed by business, industry, and government in fields such as: Criminal Justice, Insurance and Law Areas, Marketing and Advertising, Demography and Population Studies, Social Research, (surveys, etc.) Medical and Health-Related Areas, Political and Policy Analyses, Journalism and Publishing, Public Opinion Polling, Education and Training, Family Counseling, Aging Studies, Social Services, Minority Relationships, Union Contract and Negotiating, Professional Sports, and Religion.

Jobs WMU Sociology Majors Have Held

Director of County Group Home, Research Assistant, Juvenile Probation Officer, Data Processing Project Director, Public Administration/District Manager, Public Administration/Health Coordinator, Law Enforcement, Labor Relations/Personnel, Police Commander/Special Investigations, Trucking Dispatcher, Administrator/Social Worker, Counselor, Child Case Worker, Substance Abuse Therapist, Medical Social Worker, Data Programming Analyst, Activities Director at Senior Citizen Center, Director of Student Volunteer Program, Area Sales Manager, Jury Verdict Research Editor, Insurance Claims Adjustor, Employment Recruiter, Tester for Department of Civil Service, Unemployment Office Manager, Child Services House Parent, Crisis Worker Volunteer, Advertising Copywriter, Probate Officer, Travel Consultant, Recreation Therapist, Public TV Show Hostess, Adult Education Coordinator, Research and Evaluation Specialist, Neighborhood Youth Worker.

 

 

 

For more information, please contact the undergraduate and graduate academic advisor, Susan Standish.  Telephone: (269) 387-5286.