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Center for Experiential Learning

Career Services

Majoring in Sociology

The Sociology Degree

The sociology program stresses both traditional liberal arts and career education through a general sociology major, a sociology major with a concentration in criminology, and a sociology minor. The program provides understanding of social relationships through stability and change, as well as conflict and cooperation among persons, groups, organizations and communities.

The major is designed to make students into independent thinkers with a clear understanding of real-life situations, and the ability to apply knowledge to reducing and resolving social problems. Field Period placements in settings of interest to the student are an important part of the sociology program. Career opportunities are available in virtually any vocation that involves working with people. Examples include the areas of juvenile services, social planning and policymaking, personnel management, public and industrial relations, probation, law enforcement, community action, and social research.

The program also prepares students for graduate study in sociology and such related fields as counseling, administration, law, applied social research, and social work. The sociology major may be completed with either a general major or a concentration in criminology.

Learn more about majoring in Sociology at Keuka College.

Sociology Internships & Field Periods

Students working toward a sociology degree at Keuka College must complete a 140-hour internship each year—we call this Field Period.

Here's where some of our sociology students have recently done their Field Periods. All of these organizations have indicated they'd be interested in hosting Keuka students in the future.

Auburn Police Department
Auburn, N.Y.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
Manchester, N.H.
Cayuga County District Attorney's Office
Auburn, N.Y.
Cooperstown Central School
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Nashua New Hampshire Police Department
Nashua, N.H.
Vermont State Police
East Middlebury, Vt.

What Can I Do with a Sociology Degree?

With a Sociology degree, you can find a career in the following:

  • Alcohol and Drug Case Worker
  • Case Aid Worker
  • Case Aide
  • Child Welfare Officer
  • Community Relations Director
  • Consultant
  • Criminologist
  • Delinquency Counselor
  • Family Services Specialist
  • Government Researcher
  • Group Therapist
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing Associate
  • Marriage/Family Therapist
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Motivational Speaker
  • Probation Officer
  • Program Developer
  • Program Director
  • Public Service Worker
  • Recreation Director
  • Recreation Therapist
  • Youth Worker

Average Annual Salary

$28,000 (counseling), $48,000 (law enforcement) National Association of Colleges and Employers, Salary Survey: 2006-2007

Field Periods in Sociology

Amanda Tyler Amanda Tyler ’12 Sociology Private First Class at Army National Guard
Samantha Furano Samantha Furano ’10 Sociology Intern at Five Points Correctional Facility

Field Period & Internship News

See how exciting a Field Period actually is. Check out these headlines about Keuka students' recent Field Periods & internships.