Department of Sociology & Crime, Law and Justice

Career and Professional Development

What Can You Do With a Degree in Sociology?

The field of sociology involves exploring and analyzing issues vital to our personal lives, our communities, our nation, and our world. Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology can pursue employment in a wide range of areas such as:

Social and Community Services: Community agencies value employees with backgrounds in fields like sociology to address problems facing certain populations within society to address problems facing certain populations within society. Examples of jobs in this area might include: working in community development agencies, or environmental groups, and social service and nonprofit organizations benefiting juveniles, the elderly, and other special populations. Fund-raising or administration within these areas is also possible.

Corrections: The correctional system includes programs and institutions for both juveniles and adults. Probation, parole, and halfway houses are among the community-based programs, while prisons, jails and detention centers are typical institutional programs. Employees in the correctional system often directly supervise offenders, while others provide specialized services (such as employment training and education).

Business: Sociology majors often find employment in advertising, marketing and consumer research, insurance, real estate, personnel work, human resources, or sales in the business sector. An understanding of patterns and trends, diversity of clientele, and ability to see integrate information is an asset in a business environment.

College Settings: With a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, recent graduates can be found working in admissions, alumni relations, placement offices, or institutional research centers.

Health Services: The ability to work with people and a focus on stressors within society are useful in rehabilitation counseling or substance abuse programs. A basic understanding of demography and population trends can lead to careers in family planning and health planning.

Public Relations: The writing experience that Sociology majors gain in their major courses can be directly applied to careers in publishing, journalism, and public relations jobs. An understanding of social patterns is also key in this job field.

Government services: Public sector (governmental) jobs are available at the federal, state, and local level. Government work often includes data analysis so sociology coursework in statistics and research methods is an asset. Jobs with the government may include working in transportation, housing, agriculture, labor, or policy groups.

Teaching: With a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, graduates can move into teaching positions in elementary and secondary schools with the proper teacher certification. Some students explore their interest in teaching and gain experience by applying to Teach for America.

Examples of Full-time Positions By Sector

Federal	State	Local	Nonprofit	Business
Research Assistant	Research Director	Probation Officer	Social Caseworker	Technical Writer, Insurance Co.
Research Director	Statistical Analyst	Correctional Service Officer	Vocational Counselor	Manager, Retail Store
Evaluation Assistant	State Trooper	Health Facilities Evaluator	Program Coordinator, YWCA	Management Analyst
Program Analyst	Licensing Worker	Youth Worker	Social Services Director	Vice President of Operations
Special Agent, FBI	Case Management Coordinator	Public Health Analyst	Volunteer Coordinator	District Sales Manager
Assistant Planner	Program Analyst	Urban Planner	Public Education Coordinator	Marketing/ Consumer Research
Data Reviewer, Social Security	Social Research Assistant	Senior Planner, County Govt.	Youth Worker, Home for Runaways	Personnel Management Specialist/Human Resource Manager
Civil Service Test Examiner	Parole Agent	Community Analyst	Child Care Worker	Insurance Underwriter/ Adjuster
Budget Analyst	Health Planner	Court Paralegal	Activities Director, Nursing Home	Account Manager
Health Statistician	Research Consultant	Police Officer	Administrator, Social Service Agency	Customer Service Representative

What Can You Do With a Degree in Crime, Law and Justice?

A Bachelor’s degree in Crime, Law, & Justice prepares students for a wide variety of careers related to crime and justice. Here is a sampling of the areas of employment open to graduates of the Crime, Law, & Justice program:

Here is a sampling of the areas of employment open to graduates of the Crime, Law, & Justice program:

Courts and Law Students interested in the courts and legal system might gain employment as court administrators, victim and witness assistance workers, judges and attorneys. Law school is necessary for becoming a practicing attorney, and it is one of the most popular courses of post-graduate study for Crime, Law, & Justice majors.

Law Enforcement and Investigation Private sector opportunities include corporate security, computer fraud, and private investigation. Public sector law enforcement positions can also be found at the local, state, and federal levels.

Corrections The correctional system includes programs and institutions for both juveniles and adults. Probation, parole, and halfway houses are among the community programs, while prisons, jails, and detention centers are typical institutional programs. Employees in the correctional system often directly supervise offenders, while others provide specialized services (such as employment training and education).

Community Services Many community agencies seek to prevent or reduce crime and delinquency or to provide services to victims of crime. Among these agencies are rape crisis centers, delinquency prevention and diversion programs, child abuse prevention programs, and drug and alcohol-abuse programs.

Research, Planning, and Teaching Because the problem of crime is so great and the criminal justice system is so complex, demand exists for people who can use data to answer questions about crime and to guide the operation of the justice system. Demand also exists for people who can provide training about crime and justice issues. These positions can be found in universities, government planning agencies, and private research institutes. Graduate training in criminal justice and criminology or in other social sciences is typically required for these careers.

Click on the links below to find contact information for many state law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and various criminal justice opportunities within the state of Pennsylvania. Feel free to use this contact information in your job search.

State Agencies

Government Agencies

Pennsylvania Agencies