Sociology
The Sociology program at PennWest Edinboro is a comprehensive and engaging degree program. that develops skills such as research design, data collection and analysis, report writing, survey methods, interviewing techniques, group facilitation, strategic planning, policy analysis, community organizing, and program development and evaluation.
Hands-on, real-world experience is hard to beat! PennWest Edinboro recognizes that experiential learning is a valuable tool in helping students to make career decisions and in complementing formal classroom learning.
Edinboro Sociology students have interned at the Office of Children and Youth, Stairways Behavioral Health, the Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Mission Empower, Family Services of NWPA, Erie County Prison, Child and Family Connections, The Erie International Institute, American Red Cross, Creature Comforts Animal Clinic and many other social and human service organizations.
Beyond these non-profit institutional settings, students have interned for local political campaigns as well as a variety of for-profit organizations. Students can also engage in research and applied practice for credit toward our degree programs. Students have worked with the Office of Student Engagement as well as the Office of Social Equity here on campus to implement programming and design and execute research projects while receiving valuable training in Title IV policy.
Students who are interested in internship experiences are encouraged to contact the Sociology Department internship coordinator or visit the Center for Career Development’s internship webpages for more information.
SociologyDepartment Internship Coordinator:
Dr. Lee Williams
264/283 Dearborn Hall
Email: llwilliams@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1189
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Equipped with research, critical thinking and communication skills, Sociology graduates find success in a variety of professional settings. Edinboro Sociology alumni work in a variety of fields including community relations, governmental organizations, health care, environmental services, research consulting, criminal justice, education, and human services agencies. They also excel in areas such as human services, marketing, product testing and development. Graduates have attended graduate school at the University of Chicago, Ohio State, Penn State, Duquesne University, the University of Vermont, University of Pittsburgh and Case Western Reserve University for programs in areas such as Sociology, law, social policy, social work and counseling.
The Boro Center for Career Development assists students at the onset of their professional lives with many outstanding services including resume building, interviewing and networking skills, and offering numerous job fair opportunities annually both on- and off-campus.
146 Hendricks Hall
235 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2573
Samuel Claster, PhD
Department Chair
118 Hendricks Hall
Email: sclaster@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1551