Sociology Department

Any Sociology or Criminal Justice major is eligible to apply for an experiential learning experience, or internship, which will satisfy their requirement for a senior capstone experience. They can also be taken for the experience and for elective credit. All Sociology-Human Service majors are required to complete an internship, while other majors may alternatively take Senior Seminar or Criminological Theory for their capstone course. Students should meet with their advisors to determine the best course of action. Experiential learning is most beneficial for students anticipating careers or advanced studies in fields that value or expect students to have an internship prior to graduation. For example, MSW (Master of Social Work) programs highly value such experiences, which is one of the reasons Human Service majors are required to take it. 

Please visit our internship page to learn about the process of setting one up and identifying the ideal placement.

The Sociology Department offers a number of different opportunities for students to get involved! From research opportunities to academic and social clubs, Oneonta's Sociology Department is one of a kind!

We offer opportunities for students to get involved in independent research, or to collaborate on research with faculty.

Please visit or Clubs and Honor Societies page for more information. 

Are you interested in becoming a Research Assistant or a Teaching Assistant? Both are wonderful opportunities to develop a mentorship relationship with a faculty member while expanding and improving on your teaching or research skills. Assistantships offer the flexibility of meeting times that many students prefer and they provide 3 s.h. of credit. Both Teaching and Research Assistantships look wonderful on a resume or CV (Curriculum Vita) and are great preparation for advanced education in graduate programs or professional degree programs.

Please visit our Assistantships page for more information.

If you are wondering what you can do with a sociology or criminal justice major, please take a look at these websites supported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Sociologists (recommended for Sociology majors)

Police and Detectives (recommended for Criminal Justice majors)

Social Workers (recommended for Human Service (Sociology) majors)

Social and Human Service Assistants (recommended for students in Aging Studies (Sociology) or Human Service (Sociology) majors)

Social and Community Service Managers (recommended for Community Development and Planning (Sociology) majors)

There are many fields in which Sociology and Criminal Justice majors will find success. Our program instills students with several skill sets that prepare them for an ever-changing workforce. 

Although many students are excited to enter the workforce upon graduation, we highly encourage our students to consider continuing their education in a graduate or professional degree program. The reason for this is that higher education opens doors to high-level positions and significantly improves earning capacity. Our students often go on to pursue advanced degrees in Sociology, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Community Development, to name a few. They also go to Law Schools and Medical Schools for professional degrees. Keep your mind open to these possibilities and talk to your faculty and advisors for advice and insight.

Please visit our Advising and Resources page for more information.