Post-Graduate Outcomes
A major in sociology or criminal justice prepares you for a wide array of careers in social services, advocacy, teaching, law enforcement, academics, the law and beyond.
Our alumni have gone on to a variety of rewarding fields, including social work, education, law enforcement, security, research and evaluation, government and nonprofit work, writing, law, and criminal justice. Many have also gone on to pursue graduate degrees in education, social work, law and anthropology.
Employers today want to hire people who have creativity, innovation, and critical thinking skills. They want to hire people who have multi-cultural and global understandings, strong math and science skills, and excellent written expression. Studying sociology helps you gain the skills you need.
Career Paths
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice graduates work across every part of the justice system and beyond, including policing and federal law enforcement, courts and legal services, corrections, probation and parole, victim services, campus and private security, and policy and research. Many also go on to law school or graduate study in criminal justice and related fields.
Sociology and Social Work
Sociology graduates bring a deep understanding of people, communities, and social problems to careers in social work, counseling, education, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, human services, research and evaluation, and government. Many continue on to graduate programs in social work, counseling, education, and the social sciences.
Skills Employers Value
Employers want to hire people who can think critically, communicate clearly, work with diverse communities, and use evidence to solve problems. Our courses are designed to build exactly those skills. Students learn to analyze data, write persuasively, evaluate policy, and understand the social forces that shape crime, justice, and inequality. Our senior capstone even asks students to research a real social problem and write a grant proposal to address it, the kind of experience that stands out to employers and graduate programs alike.
Career Preparation Starts Here
You don’t have to wait until graduation to explore your future. Our department offers opportunities to connect with professionals and gain real-world experience, including:
- Internships with criminal justice agencies, social service organizations, and nonprofits
- Field Week, where students spend time with partner organizations such as police departments, the state’s attorney’s office, and community agencies
- Visits and information sessions with employers, including federal law enforcement
Pathways After Elmhurst: Post-Graduate Partnerships
Many of our sociology, social work, and criminal justice students know they want to keep learning after graduation. To make that path clearer, the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice has built partnerships with respected programs in the Chicago area that give our graduates a head start.
These partnerships reward the preparation you receive at Elmhurst. Through small classes, hands-on learning, and close mentoring from faculty, you’ll graduate ready for advanced study, with options that many students elsewhere don’t have.
Law (J.D.)
Through a partnership with DePaul University College of Law, qualifying Elmhurst students can earn a guaranteed admission spot and scholarship support.
Social Work (M.S.W.)
Partnerships with the University of Illinois Chicago and Aurora University create pathways for Elmhurst graduates interested in pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
Paralegal Studies
A partnership with Roosevelt University offers Elmhurst graduates a pathway into paralegal training for careers in law firms, courts, and legal services.
Many partnership opportunities have course, GPA, or timing requirements, so it’s never too early to start the conversation. Faculty will work with you to plan your coursework so you’re ready to take advantage of these opportunities when you graduate.
Email Andrea Krieg, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice for more information.
For more information about careers, visit the prospective student area of the American Sociological Association’s website.