Sociology & Criminal Justice

Various resources can help you identify the kinds of work that are available for Sociologists. The benefit (as well as the curse) of the degree in Sociology is that it prepares you for nearly anything. The key for graduates is to apply the skills and knowledge that they have learned. As students begin thinking about careers, or if they simply want to explore further, they are encouraged to speak with their advisor or to any other of the Sociology faculty. Additionally, they can explore the links on this page.

Skills that can be Developed by the Sociology Degree

• Writing Skills.
• Critical Thinking Skills.
• Identification of the dynamics/complexity of change
• Conceptualize problems
• Development of research strategies
• Investigative skills (e.g., survey construction, participant observations, content analysis)
• Analytical skills (e.g., statistics, unitization).
• Problem Solving
• Computer skills (e.g., SPSS, word processing).
• Focus on behavior in groups (e.g., formal organizations, families, communities) and the impact of diversity in groups.
• Understanding of how people function as/in groups (e.g., team dynamics, leadership)
• Recognizing impact of context in which decisions are made (e.g., political, social, economic).

WI Social Work Certification for Non-Social Work (No BSW) BA/BS Students

While UW-La Crosse does not offer a social work degree or a BSW, many students who are major in social sciences such as sociology are interested in working in the human services/social services field. There are many opportunities for jobs in human services/social services that do not require the job applicant to be social work certified. However, there are also jobs that require social worker certification. Individuals without the BSW or MSW must become state certified in order to take certain jobs which state that the individual must have social work certification. The State of Wisconsin has a website that presents detailed information on certification for non-social work degree graduates. If you have questions regarding the process, you should always check with the Department of Safety and Professional Services to assure that you are following the appropriate steps toward licensure.

Links to the State of Wisconsin Social Worker Information:

Detailed Information for : Social Worker, Training Certificate

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD

Department of Safety and Professional Services

Results of the 2013 UWL Sociology Alumni survey 

The 2013 Sociology Alumni Survey attempted to contact 175 recent UWL graduates who majored in Sociology. Sixty-three alumni graduating between 2000 and 2012 responded to the survey. The mean age of those who responded to the survey was 29, 67% were female, and 83% resided in the Midwest (62% in Wisconsin).

The main reasons alumni reported declaring a Sociology major was because the classes were interesting and the major fit into their specific field interests (e.g., social welfare, law, public health, criminal justice). Fifty-two percent of the respondents also reported attending a graduate program in a variety of different fields.

  Note: * Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding

As expected, sociology majors tend to enter into a diverse number of fields. Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported that they were currently employed and 86% were satisfied in their current job. Additionally, 78% reported that the courses they took within the Sociology major were valuable for their current job, many citing the development of strong research, analytical, critical thinking and writing skills as being beneficial in the course of their employment. According to the survey: