General Sociology
Degree Requirements
The General Sociology option is the traditional sociology major available at most American colleges and universities. The curriculum would introduce you to various sociological topics and concepts. You also have an opportunity to take advanced courses in areas that are of special interest to you.
This option is a good choice if you would like to study sociology but have not yet formulated clear-cut career plans. It also is applicable if you plan to pursue graduate work in the field. Additionally, it can lead to professional positions in industry, government and private agencies.
You may minor in sociology while majoring in other disciplines. Sociology is a useful minor or major when combined with other fields including computer studies, psychology, history, foreign language, communication, and economics.
A two-year (of full-time study) associate of arts degree with a concentration in sociology is also available.
Our sociology faculty consists of six full-time and several part-time members. Their areas of specialty include: medical sociology, sociology of education, social work, social problems, social organization, criminology, criminal justice, stratification, urban sociology, minorities, social psychology, research methods, statistics theory, and gerontology.
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Criminal Justice
Degree Requirements
The Criminal Justice option is designed for students interested in professions relating to such fields as law enforcement, correction, or programs for the prevention of crime and delinquency.
The criminal justice major emphasizes the understanding of society, social problems and human social behavior.
This specialization includes courses in criminology, law and society, social problems, principles of sociology, juvenile delinquency, and optional courses in aggression and violence, organized crime, history of crime in America, and racial and ethnic relations.
Whether your criminal justice major is in the area of political science or sociology depends on your individual interests. In either case, your broad theoretical, social sciences background will prepare you for entry into the criminal justice profession.
This curriculum also provides a suitable undergraduate major and minor if you wish to work toward an advanced degree in law, law enforcement, or criminology.
Career Opportunities: Criminal justice careers offer an opportunity to work in an environment in which you face different - and challenging - problems each day. Today's professional in criminal justice is a sophisticated participant in a complex legal system. Whether in the police, the courts, corrections, or related agencies, the modern criminal justice professional must possess a broad liberal arts background.
Criminal justice graduates have a wide range of careers from which to choose:
- Law enforcement (city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies).
- Adult and juvenile probation and parole agencies.
- Criminal justice planning agencies involved in research, planning, and evaluation studies.
- Safety and security positions in industrial, commercial, and retail organizations.
- Adult and juvenile correctional institutions (classification, casework counseling, and group work).
- Community youth services bureaus.
Hands-on Experience: A practicum in both programs during your senior year will enable you to
derive experience in an appropriate criminal justice agency.
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Gerontology
Degree Requirements
The Gerontology option is designed for people working in the field who need credentials; for older, re-entering students; o for anyone interested in a career with older adults.
This program is right for you if you are interested in a professional program that focuses on the characteristics and problems of older adults. The growing aged population has created a demand for persons trained in the field of aging.
The Career Advantages: The course and internship of the gerontology option will prepare you for the planning, administration, and delivery of services for older adults.
There are many reasons to choose a career in gerontology:
- The elderly population is the fastest growing age group. In 30 years, the aged are expected to double to more than 17% of the population.
- The "graying" of our population influences all of society. Consumer goods and services used by older people, capacities and personnel needs of an aging workforce, management of older workers, demands for health care personnel and resources, and family care giving will all be heavily influenced by the "graying of America."
The Type of Work You May Do: After graduation, you could work with older adults and their families in a variety of settings, including health and human services, administration, and marketing. All of these situations need people trained specifically with a gerontology background.
You may find employment opportunities at the agencies in which you have your field experience. Depending on your credentials, experience, and professional goals, you can link a major in gerontology with social work, health, recreational or community services, program planning and administration, advocacy and public service, teaching, and organizational consulting.
As for placement potential, graduates of the program typically have no difficulty obtaining employment with agencies which serve the needs of older adults.
A Unique Opportunity: As a student in the program, you will spend two semesters in a supervised field experience in a local human service agency or other setting serving older people. Students learn both how an agency operates and the particular concerns of older people in different settings.
Field experience placements include hospitals, residential settings, nursing homes, home health care agencies, family services, senior centers, area planning agencies, and rehabilitation centers.
You also have an opportunity to be involved in a variety of community activities through the Gerontology Center located at Purdue Calumet. It offers you the chance to be involved in research and/or community service activities.
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