Our Programs
Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice at Messiah College are strong liberal arts and professional majors preparing students to work with people in a variety of ways. Graduates serve and work in social service, business, juvenile and criminal justice, community development, research, social policy, with older people and youth, law, counseling, health care, program leadership and administration, human resources, theology, missions, and social justice. They work in public, private, and entry-level positions available in these areas for students immediately after graduation. These programs also provide a solid foundation for graduate study, which prepares students for advanced practice, teaching, and research.
The sociology major includes three concentrations: one called individual, society, and culture, anthropology, and criminal justice. There are five minors: sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, urban studies, and human services. The social work major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. It is a professional program with a strong liberal arts emphasis. The Criminal Justice major leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a strong emphasis on restorative justice.
The subject matter of sociology, social work, and criminal justice is intriguing, interesting, and probing. It studies the relationship between individuals and society and develops understanding of families, organizations, religion, deviance, crime, race, gender, population, and social inequality. It not only develops deep understanding, but also equips students to be agents of social change and encourages them to actively work toward what one sociologist called "the good society." Many students choose sociology because of its broad liberal arts base. It is a good foundation for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, human services, theology, seminary, the ministry, missions, and counseling. A sociology major is flexible and allows students to take many courses in other areas of the College.
Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice include opportunities for internships and practicums which relate "real" work with academic study.
