With courses on crime and society, deviance, and juvenile justice, sociology is the ideal major for students interested in criminal justice-related careers.

Regardless of the topic, sociology courses encourage hands-on learning through data collection and analysis, field placements, internships, and service-learning projects.

Why Study at PLU?

As a student of sociology, you will move beyond the world that is taken for granted. Sociology provides students with distinctive ways of looking at the world in order to generate new ideas and assess the old. Coursework includes analysis of crime, deviance, family and gender issues, race/ethnicity, social class, social problems and inequality. In addition, sociology provides training in a range of research techniques that can be applied to many areas of social life and policy.

The Sociology curriculum at PLU is cumulative, such that the skills developed in lower-division courses set the groundwork for the skills to be developed in upper-division classes. We advise students to select their courses with this curricular philosophy in mind. Our program aligns with the university’s pathways to distinction: Global Education, Student-Faculty Research, and Purposeful Learning.

What can I do When I Graduate?

Although few occupations include “sociologist” in their title at the bachelor’s level, the sociological perspective is excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations in social and public services, management, education, government, and business. Students who graduate with a B.A. in sociology and enter the job market directly will find themselves competing with other liberal arts students, but with an advantage – knowledge of key social factors and a firm grasp on research design and methods. This advantage of a sociology major provides breadth and the potential for adaptability.

Sociology majors who are interested in crime and deviance gravitate toward careers in law, law enforcement, and victim advocacy. Students who especially enjoy research design, statistics, and data analysis seek positions in marketing, assessment, public relations, and organizational research. Courses in race/ethnicity, social stratification, and global studies can lead to positions in international business. Students interested in social justice often find meaningful employment in social work or other social service professions.

Additional Opportunities for Sociology Majors

Sociology Internships

One of the hallmarks of the PLU sociology program is the opportunity for you to receive extensive career field training before you graduate. You can gain important career experience at the many public and private social agencies that employ PLU sociology students as interns. Private shelters for battered women, homeless shelters, social welfare agencies and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office provide ongoing opportunities for you to develop your sociology skills in a work setting. You could also make important contributions and gain valuable experience as a volunteer at agencies such as the YWCA, United Way, the Urban League and Centro Latino.