Sociology Department

Explore Society, Inequality, and Social Change

Sociology examines society, human behavior, social relationships, and the institutions that shape everyday life. The major helps you understand how social forces influence individuals, communities, and the world around us.

What You Will Study

• Inequality and social justice
• Race and ethnicity
• Communities and urban development
• Crime and victimization
• Mental health and social services
• Environmental and social challenges

Choose Your Path

At CPP, sociology majors select one of two options:

• General Sociology, which provides broad preparation for understanding and analyzing social issues

• Sociology with a Social Work Option, which emphasizes social services, community needs, and support for individuals and families

Both options combine classroom learning with practical experience through research, internships, and community engagement.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Gain hands-on experience while developing analytical, research, communication, and problem-solving skills that can be applied across many professional settings.

Where the Major Can Take You

Graduates pursue advanced study and careers across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Common fields include social services, public policy, law, education, research, victim advocacy, nonprofit work, community outreach, and organizational management—among many other possibilities.

• General Sociology Subplan
• Sociology Social Work Subplan

Explore Crime, Justice, and Social Change

Criminology examines crime and criminal behavior, as well as the social forces that shape responses to crime and justice. Grounded in a broader sociological perspective, the major explores how inequality, communities, institutions, and public policy influence crime and society’s responses to it.

What You Will Study

• Criminological theories
• Policing, probation, and parole
• Crime analysis
• Drug policy
• White-collar crime
• Victimization
• Restorative justice
• Gender and racial justice
• Criminal justice systems and public policy

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Gain practical experience through research, internships, and community engagement while developing analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

Where the Major Can Take You

Graduates pursue advanced study and careers across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Common fields include law enforcement, probation and corrections, victim advocacy, criminal justice administration, public policy, nonprofit work, and community outreach—among many other possibilities.

Interested in Forensic Careers?

Students interested in forensic careers should supplement the major with coursework in biology, chemistry, or forensic science to develop the scientific and laboratory skills required in many forensic fields.

Explore CPP's Criminology Program: Criminology Curriculum

The Sociology minor introduces students to the study of society, human behavior, social relationships, and the systems that shape everyday life. Students explore how social structures, communities, and institutions influence human behavior and contemporary social issues while gaining experience with analytical thinking, communication, and sociological research.

The minor may complement a variety of majors and can be useful for students considering careers or graduate study in public service, advocacy, research, law, education, public health, and related fields.

The Social Work minor introduces students to social work and social welfare, including how the field responds to the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Coursework provides an overview of social services, social policy, advocacy, and approaches to supporting diverse populations.

The minor may complement majors such as Psychology, Anthropology, Education, Sociology, and related fields. It can also help students explore their interest in social services, healthcare, public health, public policy, advocacy, or future graduate study in social work. The minor itself does not provide a professional social work credential.

For more information about the Social Work minor, please reach out to the SW Minor Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Daniels, kdaniels@cpp.edu

The Criminology minor brings together selected courses in criminology, sociology, and social work to introduce students to crime, justice, and the social systems that shape responses to both. It may complement majors such as Computer Science, Psychology, Political Science, Public Administration, Anthropology, and related fields.

The minor can broaden a student’s understanding of criminological issues but does not provide professional certification, guarantee employment, or serve as a required pathway into law enforcement, federal agencies, or related careers.

*** The minor does not prepare students for a career in forensics. Students interested in forensic roles are advised to have a solid foundation in biology and/or chemistry to prepare for such a career.  

For more information about the Criminology Minor, please reach out to the CRM Minor Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gabriele Plickert, gplickert@cpp.edu