Politics, Society, Justice, and Public Service, School of
Course Designators: PAD, PSC, SCJ, SOC, SWK
For information, please contact the chairperson, 989-774-3442, 142 Anspach Hall
The School of Politics, Society, Justice, and Public Service houses the undergraduate programs in International Relations, Political Science, Public and Nonprofit Administration, Social and Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, and Youth Studies.
Why Study International Relations?
International relations examines the global challenges facing the international community. Students develop an understanding of international security issues, international organizations, international political economy, and threats to human rights and the global environment. They also gain cultural competency and an understanding of political systems around the world through the study of comparative politics.
International Relations at CMU
Those planning careers in international governmental and nongovernmental agencies; private business overseas; and the Foreign Service would be well served by the international relations major.
Why Study Political Science?
Political science explores how people participate in collective decision making to identify and solve issues of shared, public concern. Given both the historical and current exclusion of some people from the governing process, political science also often includes an examination of perennial normative questions, such as what constitutes a just society.
Political Science at CMU
Many political science majors or minors are interested in learning more about lawmaking and legal processes, which is good preparation for a legal career, including gaining admission to law school. Others choose to focus their studies on campaigns and elections and become engaged in the melee of modern political campaigns and social movements. All students develop an appreciation of political institutions and processes that help us better understand the functioning of government and the role that individuals play in determining outcomes that shape the future.
Why Study Public and Nonprofit Administration?
Coursework provides students the necessary skills in human resources, public budgeting, organizational leadership, public policy analysis, engaging stakeholders, and employee motivation that make administrators and leaders successful in the public and nonprofit sectors. This preparation will ensure effective and accountable decision-making as graduates lead, manage, and serve in the public sector.
Public and Nonprofit Administration at CMU
Public & nonprofit administration emphasizes the teaching of management and analysis skills, specifically relevant to the government and nonprofit sectors. Students with this major can obtain jobs as a/an: Budget Analyst; City and County Manager; Corporate Social Responsibility Officer; Executive Director of a Nonprofit Organization; Fundraiser; Policy Analyst; Private Sector Manager; Public Manager; or Volunteer Manager.
The school offers a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential, the only national nonprofit credential preparing students (undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate) for careers in nonprofit management. Due to the unique combination of classroom training, practical experience, and leadership activities, CNPs get hired and rise more quickly in their organizations. The four components of certification include coursework, internship (or professional nonprofit experience), professional development, and leadership and service activities.
Why Study Social and Criminal Justice?
The sociology major with a concentration in social and criminal justice leads to careers supporting innovations in offender accountability and rehabilitation, meeting the needs of victims, and supporting community efforts to promote safety, security, and conflict resolution.
Social and Criminal Justice at CMU
The program emphasizes understanding criminal justice within the broader social justice context. The program focuses on community-based justice and has courses in criminology, community corrections and alternative sentencing, inequalities and justice processes, victimology, juvenile delinquency, government and corporate crime and policing. Students have internships with social, human service, and justice agencies. Some graduates chose to pursue advanced professional studies. Others begin entry-level careers in probation, parole, alternative sentencing and diversity programs, day-treatment, community mediation, and social and human services.
Why Study Social Work?
Social work offers a professional degree whose graduates will work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and social identities in a variety of settings. It combines practice skills and knowledge with a strong emphasis on social justice and self-determination, leading to a highly marketable degree.
Social Work at CMU
The social work major on the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree prepares students for generalist practice and leads to eligibility for professional licensure from our accredited program. Core competencies are learned through a blend of theory, practice, research, and policy courses, with an emphasis on social justice and empowerment. Applied experiences, including 400 hours of practicum, are required.
Students interested in the social work professional degree should make an appointment with a social work advisor early in their academic career to develop a course plan and assure they understand requirements and timing for admission. A student must complete at least 50 credit hours to apply. Declaring a major in social work does not guarantee admission to the Bachelor of Social Work Program. Students often add a second major in other fields such as psychology, family studies, social and criminal justice, sociology, or Spanish. A minor in social work is not available.
Why Study Sociology?
Sociology is the study in understanding social justice, inequality, and diversity, and the application of research to solve real world problems.
Sociology at CMU
Our faculty promote critical, data-drive approaches for addressing social issues. The Sociology major or minor offers students a sound understanding of socialization, social relations, and social institutions. Many alumni work in social services, work in private business, or pursue graduate studies.
Why Study Youth Studies?
Youth studies recognizes the ways that gender, race, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, and gender identity influence youth development. With training in youth studies, students learn how to implement and evaluate preventative and positive youth development programs.
Youth Studies at CMU
The sociology major with a concentration in youth Studies and the youth Studies minor prepares students to work in community and school programs designed to improve the experiences of youth. Classes include the sociology of adolescence, childhood, family, education, youth deviance ,and youth welfare. A capstone course includes a service-learning component in a local school or agency. Many graduates work in schools, juvenile justice systems, social justice organizations and recreational programs.
Certified Nonprofit Professional Credential
The Certified Nonprofit Professional credential is the only national nonprofit credential preparing students (undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate) for careers in nonprofit management.
This group is a powerful network of professionals who are leading some of the country’s most successful social-impact organizations. In addition, the national and local nonprofit organizations that are part of the Alliance network hire more than 50,000 people annually. These are organizations that value the training and preparation that is core to the CNP program. Recent research completed by an independent organization shows that CNPs are seven times (7x!) more likely to rise to director+ level than their non-CNP peers.
Due to the unique combination of classroom training, practical experience and leadership activities, CNPs get hired and rise more quickly in their organizations. Plus, CNPs have access to CNP Launch, an exclusive matching system that connects our students and CNPs with nonprofits that are hiring interns and employees.
For more information on the CNP credential, see this website or contact the department.
Student Organizations
Click here for more information on student organizations or contact SPSJPS@cmich.edu.
The Faculty
Larry Adamitis, Prakash Adhikari, Mensah Adinkrah, Elbert P. Almazan, Elizabeth Bradshaw, Edward Clayton, Amanda Garrison, Thomas Greitens, Susan Grettenberger, Rebecca Hayes, Deana Hunt, David K. Jesuit, David Kinney, Sharon Kukla-Acevedo, Valerie Muniz, Emma Powell, Alan Rudy, Jody Sauer, Lissa Schwander, Mary Scheuer Senter, Brian Smith, Kyla Stepp, Cedric Taylor, Grace Vandemark, Selene Wadhawan, Colleen Wilson-Rood
The Programs
Political Science Major
Political Science Minor
International Relations Major
Public and Nonprofit Administration Major
Public Administration Minor
Undergraduate Certificate in Citizen Engagement
Undergraduate Certificate in Global Governance and Advocacy
Undergraduate Certificate in Governance of Nations
Undergraduate Certificate in International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Administration
Undergraduate Certificate in International Security Studies
Undergraduate Certificate in Lawmaking and Legal Processes
Undergraduate Certificate in Political Advocacy and Elections
Undergraduate Certificate in Public and Social Entrepreneurship
Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis
Sociology Major
Sociology Major: Social and Criminal Justice Concentration
Sociology Major: Youth Studies Concentration
Sociology Minor
Youth Studies Minor
Social Work Major
Public Affairs Minor (Interdepartmental)