Home of Criminal Justice - Corrections and Law Enforcement; Global Studies, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Science Education and Sociology Programs

Department Office: Jesse Dunn 311, NWOSU Alva
Dr. Kay Decker Professor of Sociology and Department Chair

Social Sciences Departmental Main Office is located in Jesse Dunn 311A on the Alva Campus.  The phone number is (580) 327-8111 and the Fax number is (580) 327-8112.  For assistance, please contact Dr. Decker at (580) 327-8521 or email her at kldecker@nwosu.edu.  Staff are not available daily at this location, as such, it is best to email or phone Dr. Decker for immediate assistance. 

About the Department

The Department of Social Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department consisting of degree programs in Criminal Justice (Corrections and Law Enforcement), Global Studies, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Science Education and Sociology.  The links on the left will direct you to degree specific information, advisement information, our scholarship program, how to find and contact faculty, and our student organizations within the department.  Information about our Sponsored Program with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is also available.

Our departmental mission is:
To develop resourceful leaders who are prepared to accept the challenges and opportunities which exist in a dynamic global environment by providing interactive and personalized educational and professional opportunities within the classroom and in external learning environments.  We prepare for the future!

Our departmental goals are:

1. To prepare students for the workplace and further education in their fields and insure that graduates will be employed in their field or in a graduate program within one year post graduation.
2. To provide programs which are relevant and compatible with graduate school expectations and workplace changes within each discipline.
3. To promote improved technological capabilities and usage among students, support continuous faculty development and insure a supportive working and learning environment.

Social Sciences Degree Programs

Click a Link to Access the Degree Program

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement and Corrections

History and Global Studies

Political Science and Public Administration

Social Science Education

Sociology

Careers for Majors

Criminal Justice Careers Include:  Police Officer, Highway Patrol Officer, FBI, Secret Service, DEA, Border Patrol, Game Ranger, Park Ranger, Private Security, ATF, OSBI, Narcotics Investigator, Forensic Scientist, Criminal Profiler, Juvenile Affairs Case Worker, Correctional Officer, Corrections Administration, Correctional Case Manager, Gang Liason Officer, Criminologist, Policy Researcher and Analyst, Probation and Parole Officer... and many more.

History Careers Include:  Teacher, Professor, National and State Park Interpreter, Cultural Resources Manager, Preservationist, Museum Curator, Heritage Tourism Developer, Program Administrator, Lecturer, Researcher, Policy Analyst, Historic Trust Administrator... and many more.

Social Science Education Careers Include:  Teacher, Professor, Coach, School Administration, Tutor, Mentor, Academic Counselor... and many more.

Sociology Careers Include:  Teacher, Professor, National and State Park Interpreter, Cultural Resources Manager, Human Resources Manager, Advertising Executive, Policy Analyst, Researcher and Demographer, Juvenile Services Caseworker, Probation and Parole Officer... and many more.

Global Studies Careers Include:  International Business, Cultural Resources Manager, Global Marketing, Foreign Service Officer, Researcher, Policy Analyst, Professor, Cultural Programs Intrepreter, Heritage Tourism, International Affairs Officer... and many more.

Public Administration Careers Include:  Government Agency Staffer, Congressional Staffer, Legislative Staffer, City Manager, Community Planner, Grants Officer, Government Contracts Administrator, Regional Economic Development Planner, Demographer, Statistician, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Program Developer and Administrator... and many more.

Political Science Careers Include:  Policy Analyst, Researcher, Professor, Legal Advocate, Legal Analyst, Political Party Wonk, Government Agency Staffer, Congressional Staffer, Legislative Staffer, Program Administrator, Demographic Analyst, Program Analyst, Attorney (law degree required), Voter Registrar... and many more.

Students who major in one of the Social Sciences Degree programs often find careers in state or federal agencies.  The application process always begins with a review of existing position announcements which are found on the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management website or USA Jobs website for federal listings.