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The Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work prepares students for careers in social work and social services, community relations, policy analysis, government, law enforcement, community corrections, prison and jail programs, juvenile corrections and youth services, court operations, victim advocacy, private security, legal professions, and many more.
"When you go to a criminal justice professor, you're going to someone who is already well-versed in the field; you're going to someone who has already served as a county prosecutor, a judge ... not only are you getting the knowledge you need for your future career, you're also getting a mentor."– Titi Sharpe shares his story.
Alumni in arts, humanities, and social sciences are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in sociology and criminal justice fields (NACE)
Noteworthy dpeartment area Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
Students in this program will learn fundamental facts about how the criminal justice system operates in the United States, how and why criminality varies across people and places in the US and around the world, and policies intended to reduce crime and/or punish perpetrators.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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The Bachelor of Social Work at William Paterson is an interdisciplinary degree program comprised of 10 required social work courses as well as courses in sociology and public health. The program culminates with a 400-hour internship experience during the fall and spring semesters of the senior year.
Students in the general sociology program will learn about patterns in social behavior and a variety of possible explanations for those patterns. There will be particular focus on inequalities by race, gender and social class.
Students minoring in CCJ learn about the basics of the criminal justice system and about theories that help explain why crime varies over time and place. They also can choose from a variety of electives about policing, corrections, forensic social psychology, and more.
A minor in sociology helps undergraduates become effective citizens, with the ability to grapple with such issues as multiculturalism, inequality, and globalization. By integrating these key concepts, students become capable of critical inquiry and civic engagement.
Students in our Sociology, Criminal justice, and Social work programs have many opportunities to learn and develop outside the classroom, such as engaging with community groups and organizations, attending special presentations and expert panels, conducting research with professors, and presenting at conferences. They also develop connections and work with industry professionals through a wide array of internships. Students can earn selection in Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society, as well as join extracurricular activities including the Sociology/Criminal Justice Club, among others.
In our Sociology, Criminal justice, and Social Work programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including :
Graduates of our programs have job opportunities in a wide array of areas such as health and social services, business and non-profit organizations, community work, corrections, colleges and universities, publishing, computer work, public relations, and federal, state, and local government, and law enforcement, among many others. Many also go on to attend graduate school.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
criminology and criminal justice and psychology double major, currently pursuing a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
Every month during the academic year, we will spotlight a different member of the WP faculty or staff who plays a powerful role in student success.
Name: Andy Gladfelter
Title: Associate Professor and Department Chair, Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work
Years at WP: 10
Tell us about yourself: I am a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in Pennsylvania. After graduating from Shippensburg University, based on lots of conversations with my faculty mentor, I decided I wanted to pursue graduate studies at Penn State. I started teaching at WP after graduation in 2016. I consider myself a helper at heart; in college, I was very active in Circle K (a student-led community service club) as a student leader, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, I 3-D printed hundreds of face shields for local hospitals and first responders. My wife Nicole and I have three children: Matthias (almost 10), Aster (deceased), and Amicia (less than a month old). We love going to soccer matches and spending time with friends.
Describe your role on campus: I am a criminal justice professor and chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work. As chair, I help support our students, faculty, programs, and the day-to-day work of the department. I have also been and continue to be an active member of several groups across campus that help guide university policy on things like artificial intelligence, UCC courses, and more.
A defining moment at WP: My defining moment is a recurring one: celebrating student projects at the end of the semester. For example, in my comparative criminal justice course, students design poster presentations about the justice system of a country they researched over the semester. In my criminal courts course, we hold a mock criminal trial where students apply their knowledge to a fictional but realistic felony case. Students get very invested in these projects, and I get to see what they can do after just 15 weeks, something that is very rewarding for me.
Favorite part about your job: I love being in the classroom, interacting with our students, and watching them grow over their time here. We have a diverse campus community that brings a variety of opinions and life experiences to the table, and I feel that I learn just as much from our students as they learn from me. I have stayed in touch with several alumni and love hearing updates as they start their own careers and families.
Fun fact: I got my first tattoo in September 2025 as a memorial for my second son and have since expanded into a full sleeve and a few more!
Finish this sentence: "WP is a powerhouse of possibility." The mentoring and care students receive helps fuel their personal growth and pursuit of their dream careers.
