Lewis-Clark State College

What you'll study

The Sociology degree provides a mix of theoretical, methodological and applied courses. Core topics introduce you to foundational ideas and methods in sociology, while elective modules allow you to focus on areas such as social inequality, crime, family, community and rural issues.

• Core modules: Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Social Research Methods, Statistics for the Social Sciences, Senior Seminar/Capstone.
• Common electives: Race and Ethnicity, Gender and Society, Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency, Deviance, Sociology of the Family, Social Problems, Community and Rural Sociology.
• Applied learning: Internship/Field Experience with local agencies and organisations, practicum placements, and opportunities for supervised independent study or a research project in the senior year.
• Skills developed: Qualitative and quantitative research methods, critical thinking, data analysis, written and oral communication, programme evaluation, and community engagement.

Entry requirements

Admissions to the bachelor’s programme typically require a high school diploma or equivalent and submission of official transcripts. Applicants are evaluated on overall academic preparation, including coursework in English and social studies, and on demonstrated interest in the social sciences.

• First‑time freshmen: High school transcripts showing satisfactory academic achievement. Colleges frequently consider the strength of academic record and coursework relevant to college‑level study.
• Transfer students: Credit transfer is accepted from accredited institutions; an associate degree or a block of transferable credits will be assessed for applicability to degree requirements.
• Additional information: Some applicants choose to submit standardised test scores or letters of recommendation where helpful, and a personal statement outlining reasons for pursuing sociology can strengthen an application. Specific admissions policies and any placement testing are available from the college admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Sociology programme enter a wide range of entry‑level roles across public, private and non‑profit sectors. The degree prepares students for practical work and for postgraduate study in social work, public policy, criminal justice and related fields.

• Social and human services: caseworker, community outreach coordinator, youth worker, substance‑use counsellor (often combined with certification or further training).
• Criminal justice and public safety: probation officer, corrections staff, victim advocacy, juvenile services.
• Research and policy: research assistant, programme evaluator, policy support roles for local government and NGOs.
• Business and administration: human resources, community relations, customer relations and positions that value interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Further study: many graduates continue to master’s programmes in social work (MSW), public administration, sociology or criminology, or pursue teaching with additional certification.

Why study at Lewis‑Clark State College

Lewis‑Clark State College offers a small‑college environment with close faculty mentorship and strong links to community organisations across the Lewiston‑Clarkston region. Small class sizes support discussion‑based learning and independent research projects.

• Hands‑on experience: The programme emphasises applied learning through internships and practicum placements with local agencies, courts and non‑profits, helping students build practical skills and local professional networks.
• Accessible faculty: Faculty members focus on undergraduate teaching and provide mentoring for research, capstone projects and career planning.
• Regional connections: Proximity to community partners in public health, social services and criminal justice creates opportunities for fieldwork and employment in the surrounding area.
• Transfer and support services: The college provides advising, tutoring and clear transfer pathways for students entering with prior college credit or planning to pursue professional certification or graduate study.