Government, Criminology & Sociology

Do you ever wonder how the decisions we make impact those around us? In the Department of Government, Criminology and Sociology, you’ll have opportunities to explore how human actions and public policies shape the world in which we live. Our courses of study and our experiential learning opportunities with law firms, government agencies, non-profits, or law enforcement agencies will prepare you for a variety of careers. Successful alumni hold careers in government service, city management, law and law enforcement, economic development, social service and non-profit organizations, higher education and HR. At Lander, you’ll study under a dedicated team of faculty, who will teach you to think critically, be adaptable and professional, and help you navigate your future career path.

Ashley Woodiwiss
Department Chair

864-388-8136  |  awoodiwiss@lander.edu  |  Carnell Learning Center M51

Workforce Ready

With a degree from Department of Government, Criminology and Sociology, you’ll have a number of exciting career opportunities to choose from.

Possibilities include:

• Criminal justice professional
• Lawyer
• Paralegal
• City or county manager
• Congressional staffer
• Social worker
• Nonprofit manager
• Statistician
• Economic planner or developer

Lander also has a slate of graduate degrees that will unlock even more career potential.

The Career Promise

At Lander University, we promise that you will find a job within the first 60 days of graduation. If you don’t, we want you to work for us. We believe in what we teach, and we know our students are set up for success. That’s our Career Promise to Lander graduates: if you aren’t able to find a job within 60 days of graduating, Lander will hire you as a graduate assistant and guarantee your admission into the Lander graduate program of your choice.*

*To qualify for this program, students must graduate from Lander within four years and earn a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Additional admissions requirements may apply for specific graduate programs.

Outside the Classroom

At Lander University, learning isn’t limited to the traditional classroom space. Here are some ways our students take their learning to new levels:

• Internships: Gain real-world experience and make professional connections, all while earning credit towards your degree program. Our faculty have relationships, in Greenwood and beyond, that can help you find the right internship for you.
• Washington Semester Program: Lander students are able to spend a semester living in Washington, D.C., through the prestigious Washington Semester Program coordinated by the Honors College of the University of South Carolina. Students are placed within federal government offices or in nongovernmental offices (think tanks, media organizations, etc.) to benefit their educational experience in the nation's capital.
• Travel as Education: Experience another culture for yourself by living and studying abroad. Or join your classmates and professors on a short-term study tour.
• Research: Lander regularly sends our students to regional and national conferences to showcase their research projects. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Academic Symposium, held on campus each spring.