Sociology

Four majors are offered in the department: criminal justice, family science, social work and sociology. Students seeking more than one major in the department of Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice and Family Science may present no more than 15 hours common to those majors. Students seeking a minor and a major in this department must choose a different area of study for the minor and present a minimum of 12 hours not applied to the major.

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Criminal Justice

The criminal justice major enables students to enter employment in fields related to law enforcement, courts and corrections, victim advocacy and assistance, and also provides a foundation for graduate study.

Family Science

The Family Science program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in a variety of human service areas, including family services and youth programs; family life or parent education programs; business and government agencies; and leadership roles in church, school, and community. Graduates are also prepared for personal roles in marriage and family living.

The program offers students a strong foundation for graduate work leading to careers in ministry, marriage and family therapy, counseling, and teaching of family science at college level.

Sociology

The sociology major provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions throughout the fields of business, social service, and government, as well as for graduate study. Sociology majors who enter careers in business may work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources. Those who enter human services fields often work with youth at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system.

Social Work

The social work major is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and prepares students to become generalist social work practitioners in entry-level human service positions or for graduate study in social work. Graduates are eligible to apply for credentialing as beginning-level social work practitioners in most states.

Honors study is offered for students with strong academic records in any of the four majors. For information, consult the department chair. Students in any of the departmental majors may attend Chicago Center for a semester or summer term. The center’s seminar in communities and cultures may be taken for credit in lieu of SOCI 2020. Internship and practicum hours may also be earned. Students should consult with the campus liaison for more information.

 

Majors

Criminal Justice
Family Science
Sociology
Social Work

 

Minors

Criminal Justice
Family Science
Sociology

 

Faculty

Bruce Kevin MacMurray
Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology;
Chair, Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice
B.A., Knox College;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Iowa [1988]

Lolly Bargerstock-Oyler
Assistant Professor of Social Work
B.A., Anderson College;
M.S.W., Indiana University-Purdue University [2004]

Sharon Kaye Collins
Associate Professor of Social Work
B.A., Anderson University;
M.S.W., Indiana University [1988]

Nancy Anne Fischer
Professor of Sociology
B.A., Indiana University;
M.A., Ph.D., Southern Illinois University [1986]

Dr. Michael Mbito
Assistant Professor of Family Science
S.I., Kenya Science Teachers Collge
M.S.C., University of Wales
M.S,Ph.D., University of Tennessee [2004]

Lisa Pay
Assistant Professor of Social Work
B.A., Anderson University
M.S.W., Indiana University-Purdue University: Indianapolis [1999]

Dr. Maria Scott
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
B.A., University Massachusetts Dartmouth;
M.A., Brown University
Ph.D., Brown University [2003]

Date in [] indicates year first appointed to AU full-time faculty.