What can I do with my degree?

Is there a demand for careers in this field?

How can I decide if this is the right career for me?

How does your program prepare graduates for a career in Political Science and Public Affairs, Sociology, of Social Work or ?

What type of graduate schools have your graduates attended?

What can I do with my degree?

Graduates in Political Science and Public Affairs find careers in a broad array of settings such as law, government service, interest groups, political campaigns, polling, international organizations, journalism and education. Many students immediately pursue a career after graduation, and about one-third of the department’s graduates pursue advanced degrees in law or other areas. Recent alumni from the program report positions as lawyers, legislative staffers, chamber of commerce employees, and business development specialists. 

Social workers can be found in both public and private human service agencies, working with individuals and organizations to develop needed programs and services, and working to build a more just society. You will find social workers in hospitals, hospices, home health care, adoption agencies, child/adult protective service units, schools, public health departments, nursing homes, mental health facilities, drug treatment centers and correctional facilities.

A Sociology minor is an excellent match for a variety of majors including government, psychology, social work and others. This adds to the foundation for more specialized careers or graduate work in law, counseling, public administration, counseling, demographics, and other areas.

Is there a demand for careers in this field?

Employment of social workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-2005. The rapidly growing elderly population in the United States will create greater demand for health and social services, resulting in particularly rapid job growth among gerontology social workers.

How can I decide if this is the right career for me?

High school courses in American National Political Science, Social Studies and Sociology as

well as introductory university courses in Political Science and Sociology will help you determine if the Political Science or Sociology programs are right for you. If you are interested in the principles and inner working of government at the international, national, state and local levels, this may be the program for you.

If you have a strong desire to improve people’s lives, and you enjoy working with people, you should learn all you can about the Social Work field. You may want to volunteer at a social services agency in the community, talk to social workers or participate in activities that involve the elderly.

Faculty members in Western’s Political Science, Sociology and Social Work Department are very willing to talk to you about a careers and courses. They can answer your questions and can connect you with graduates in your field of interest.

How does your program prepare graduates for a career in Political Science and Public Affairs, Sociology, Social Work or Gerontology?

Majors in this department receive personalized instruction by dedicated professors who work closely with students one-on-one and in small class settings. Moreover, almost every class includes hands-on assignments that require students to practice new skills and apply new knowledge. Graduates of the program are fully prepared for entry-level positions because of the challenging coursework, research and practical experience they acquire throughout the program.

Diverse professors provide a variety of personal and professional experiences, viewpoints and teaching styles that enhance your educational experience.

What type of graduate schools have your graduates attended?

About one third of the program’s Political Science and Public Affairs majors attend graduate school, most pursuing law degrees. Graduates have been accepted at a variety of graduate programs including the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico.

Most graduates who pursue a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree attend University of Kansas, University of Missouri’s satellite MSW program on Western’s campus, or University of Missouri-Kansas City.