The School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service offers a Social and Criminal Justice major and minor, a Youth Studies major and minor and a Sociology major. With one of these degrees, you will learn how people in our world work together.
Our sociology graduates work in research, teaching, health care and public policy. By studying how people behave and the patterns they follow, you can create strategies to deal with issues like inequality, bias and poverty. The goal is to work towards a fair and just world for everyone. With a degree in youth studies, our alumni are working in community development, social work and family studies. Our graduates who earn a degree in social and criminal justice are getting jobs as police officers, private investigators, crime prevention, correctional officer, victim advocacy and federal agencies.
If you're driven to make a difference in your community through justice and reform, a minor in social and criminal studies is the perfect fit. You’ll immerse yourself in the study of corrections and criminology and prepare for a rewarding career at the intersection of social justice and criminal reform. Our minor gives you the knowledge and skills to advocate for meaningful change in the justice system.
A minor in youth studies builds your understanding of the issues young people face and prepares you to work with children and adolescents in a variety of settings. CMU is the nation’s first and only school to offer a youth studies concentration in the sociology major as well as a youth studies minor.
Our sociology major examines the impact of inequality and explores social justice and diversity. Learn to solve real-world problems using data-driven research and effect lasting social change.
Immerse yourself in the study of our social and criminal justice major through the lens of inequality and social justice. This program leads to fulfilling careers in corrections, advocacy, social services, policing and beyond.
Make a real impact on young lives with our youth studies major. This program equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in community and school settings focused on youth development. You'll gain practical skills through hands-on experiences and coursework that addresses the unique challenges young people face today. Prepare for a fulfilling career where you can drive change and advocate for the next generation.
Sociology
Aaron Foote | Email Aaron Foote | 989-774-1038
Alan Rudy | Email Alan Rudy | 989-774-7611
Cedric Taylor | Email Cedric Taylor | 989-774-1478
Elbert Almazan | Email Elbert Almazan | 989-774-7337
Mary Senter | Email Mary Senter | 989-774-2336
Youth Studies
Amanda Garrison |
Email Amanda Garrison | 989-774-1942
David Kinney |
Email David Kinney | 989-774-1488
Social & Criminal Justice
Mensah Adinkrah |
Email Mensah Adinkrah| 989-774-3367
Elizabeth Bradshaw |
Email Elizabeth Bradshaw | 989-774-3469
Rebecca Hayes |
Email Rebecca Hayes | 989-774-3442
Brian Smith |
Email Brian Smith | 989-774-3428
Andrea LaFontaine, Central Michigan University’s Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, traveled to South Africa in January to complete her fellowship capstone project for the Michigan State University Great Lakes Leadership Academy.
Based at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) for an unforgettable 11 days, the immersive experience included game drives, bush walks, a Kruger National Park safari, and engaging lectures at the college.
LaFontaine and the other participants met with non-profit leaders committed to protecting and promoting the biodiversity of the world’s largest vegetated canyon: Blyde River Canyon (“green canyon”). They also toured a mango farm and met with the farm's chief operating officer to learn more about agricultural policy issues and the impact it has on the local community.
In addition to daily wildlife encounters, they explored diverse villages where they experienced local cultures and food, learning about community development initiatives and the importance of intentional, authentic community engagement.
LaFontaine says the capstone project was a lifechanging experience.
“While I’ll be bringing back so many takeaways, the one that really stuck is that ecological, economical, and social sustainability MUST be balanced,” said LaFontaine. “If I could only pick one word to describe this transformative journey: Awe.”
The SAWC trains the rangers and K-9 units for parks and reserves that are the front-line defense against poachers. The award-winning documentary Rhino Man was filmed here.
LaFontaine earned two degrees at CMU: a bachelor's degree in political science in 2009 and a Master of Public Administration degree in 2011.
She is the seventh person to serve as CMU’s Griffin Chair. Appointed in 2021, her three-year term was extended through 2025. She also is the executive director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
Established in 2000, the Griffin Endowed Chair honors two of CMU's esteemed graduates — former U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Griffin (1923-2015) and Marjorie Anderson Griffin (1922-2017), who served as a faculty member in the Charles V. Park Library and on the Board of Governors for the Clarke Historical Library.
