Career Exploration

Liberal Studies

The Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies is primarily designed to provide a foundation of first and second-year coursework upon which a student may build a four-year degree and provides a pathway to careers in fields such as education, government, social work, administration, or communications.

Career fields that value an Associate Degree of Liberal Studies include entry-level positions in public service, non-profit agencies, human service agencies, and a variety of managerial positions.

Social Sciences

The Associate of Arts in Social Sciences is primarily designed to provide a foundation of first and second-year coursework upon which a student may build a four-year degree in various majors within the social sciences.

This degree prepares students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as social work, history, geography, political science, or psychology and may prepare students for entry-level positions in the social services field that include social services assistant, community outreach worker, case management aide, or other human services roles.

Business Administration

The Associate of Science in Business Administration provides a foundation of first and second-year coursework upon which a student may build a four-year degree in various business-related majors. The program also establishes foundational business knowledge, skills, and abilities for increased marketability applicable to a variety of business-related occupations. It also prepares students for transfer into a baccalaureate program in a variety of business-related majors.

An associate degree in business administration qualifies graduates for basic management and administrative roles in private, public, and nonprofit organizations. Students who complete this degree may find employment in supervisory roles in the service or retail industries, while others work as project assistants or technology-oriented support specialists.

Criminal Justice

The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice provides a foundation of first and second-year coursework upon which a student may build a four-year degree in various majors within the field of criminal justice. The program also provides students with foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities for increased marketability for entry-level jobs in some criminal justice-related occupations.

Career opportunities include entry-level positions in public safety, such as dispatch or 911 operator, correctional officer, security officer, or fraud investigator. While law enforcement profession is predominantly male, more women are needed in criminal justice.

An associate degree in criminal justice also contributes to a student’s eligibility for a baccalaureate degree program, providing a pathway to careers such as state trooper, local police officer, or federal agent.

Early Childhood Education

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education provides students with knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with guiding the social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development of children from birth to age ten in a variety of educational and childcare settings. The program establishes a foundation that permits students to prepare for a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. It also allows for increased marketability for direct entry into the workforce in an entry-level position with an early childhood education provider and affords those currently employed by early childhood education providers with professional growth opportunities to take advantage of the benefits associated with attainment of formal credentials associated with the profession. This degree also prepares students to work in a number of roles serving children from birth through age ten and is designated as “Level B” on Pennsylvania’s Early Care and Educator Career Pathway.

Some career opportunities include assistant teacher, paraprofessional (teacher’s aide), group supervisor, school-aged childcare, and community organization staff. Additionally, graduates are eligible to work as a childcare director, own and operate a home childcare program, or serve as a lead teacher in certain settings.

A helpful link for those interested in early childhood education opportunities in Pennsylvania is: Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education Career Pathway

Browse Careers

Career Exploration: Research careers and the skills, abilities, education and workplace options at Career One Stop, sponsored by the US Department of Labor.

Federal Student Aid: Exploring your Career Options

Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

PA Workstats

Career Cluster/Industry Videos: Learn about the many career options available within major U.S. industries.

Career Journeys: A series of video interviews with people in occupations spanning the U.S. DOL 16 industry clusters.