Make a Difference. Build a Career. Change Lives.
If you’re passionate about helping people, strengthening communities or creating positive change, you’ll find your place in Ramapo College’s School of Social Sciences and Social Work.
Our programs prepare students for meaningful careers in social work, psychology, criminal justice, public policy, human services, counseling and community advocacy. Through internships, field placements, and hands-on learning, you’ll gain the experience employers and graduate schools value most.
Why Students Choose Ramapo
- Degrees That Lead to Purpose-Driven Careers. Whether you’re interested in social work, psychology, criminal justice, sociology, political science, or public policy, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to make an impact in the lives of others.
- Affordable Education. Real-World Value. A Ramapo education combines affordability with career preparation, helping students graduate ready for the workforce, graduate school or professional licensure pathways.
- A Location That Creates Opportunity. Ramapo students have access to internships and career opportunities with leading social service agencies, nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups throughout the region.
Explore All Majors, Minors, and Graduate Programs >
More Than a Degree
At Ramapo, you’ll do more than learn about people and communities—you’ll work alongside them.
- Gain Real-World Experience. Build your resume through internships, research projects and field placements with schools, healthcare organizations, and nonprofit agencies.
- Develop Career-Ready Skills. Learn how to analyze complex issues and work with diverse populations, skills that employers value across human services, government, social work and public policy careers.
- Learn From Different Perspectives. Today’s challenges require understanding people, cultures and communities. You’ll develop the awareness needed to succeed in an increasingly connected world.
- Make an Impact. Whether you’re supporting individuals and families or serving your community, you’ll gain the experience to make a difference where it matters most.
What Impact Will You Make?
Whether you want to help individuals overcome challenges, understand human behavior, or influence policy and social change, you’ll find programs that turn your passion into purpose.
Social Work & Human Services
- For future advocates, counselors, and changemakers
- Career Paths: Social Worker, Case Manager, Community Advocate, Human Services Professional, Counselor
Psychology & Human Behavior
- For future therapists, researchers, and behavioral specialists
- Career Paths: Psychologist, Therapist, Researcher, Behavioral Analyst, Mental Health Professional
Justice, Policy & Social Change
- For future leaders, investigators, and public servants
- Career Paths: Criminal Justice Professional, Policy Analyst, Public Administrator, Nonprofit Leader
Explore Social Sciences and Social Work Programs >
Purpose in Action
Elizabeth Mendicino ’26
The School of Social Sciences and Social Work is where students learn how to turn their passion for helping others into meaningful careers and lasting impact.
For Elizabeth Mendicino ’26, a double major in Law and Society and Communication Arts with a concentration in Journalism, Ramapo provided more than an education—it provided a sense of purpose.
“Ramapo taught me that success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself; it’s about what you do for others along the way. The experiences, opportunities, and perspectives I gained here gave me the confidence to create change and make a meaningful impact wherever my path leads.”
— Elizabeth Mendicino ’26
Law & Society (Social Justice) and Communication Arts (Journalism) Double Major
Make Your Mark
Ramapo graduates go on to become social workers, counselors, journalists, policy analysts, nonprofit leaders, public servants, advocates, and community leaders. Others continue their education in graduate, law, and professional programs.
No matter where your journey leads, you’ll leave Ramapo prepared to lead with purpose and make an impact that extends far beyond yourself.
- M Major
- m Minor
- C Concentration
- G Graduate
- J Joint Degree
- O Other Programs
- Reset Filter
Civic and Community Leadership
m
Crime and Justice Studies
m C
Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Ethnicity & Race Studies
C
Gender & Sexuality Studies
C
Human Rights and Genocide Studies
m
International Studies
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Labor, Work, & Organizations
C
Latino/a and Latin American Studies
m
Law and Society
Bachelor of Arts
M
Law and Society/Master of Public Policy 4+1
Master of Public Policy
M G
Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy
G
Political Science
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Political Science/Master of Public Policy 4+1
Master of Public Policy
M G
Post-Baccalaureate Program in Teacher Education
O
Psychology
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Public Sociology
Bachelor of Arts
C
Social Science
Bachelor of Arts
M
Social Science: Society and Culture
C O
Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work
M
Social Work (MSW)
Master of Science
G
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Sustainability
Bachelor of Arts
M m
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
m
Susan Hangen, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Social Work
The School of Social Sciences and Social Work (SSSW) enrolls over 1200 students in its degree and certification programs. We have 39 full-time faculty and many part-time instructors who serve 9 majors, 19 minors, and two graduate programs, the Master in Public Policy and the Master of Social Work. We also have a Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and an Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center.
The challenges of the 21st century call for a systemic understanding of interactions between environmental forces, human activities, and economic and political structures. Our vulnerabilities to climate change, poverty, political instability and warfare are inextricably connected to the way societies organize their social, economic, legal and political institutions. The School of Social Sciences and Social Work prepares students to meet these challenges by providing them with the fundamentals for understanding social structures and institutions. Students who graduate from a major with SSSW can demonstrate social, statistical, and ecological literacy. SSSW provides experiential learning opportunities for all students, who learn to apply classroom concepts to improve the lives of individuals and effect social change.
Students who graduate from the School find careers in the public and private sector, where they apply their critical thinking and planning skills to serve as creative problem solvers. Through our work in teaching, scholarship, and community partnerships, the School of Social Sciences and Social Work is furthering the mission of the College.
Susan Hangen
Dean, School of Social Sciences and Social Work
The School of Social Sciences and Social Work creates an interdisciplinary learning environment grounded in experiential learning and active participation in community experience. Using social science perspectives, we engage our students in critical thinking about enduring and emerging issues of our world, including psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, legal and environmental dimensions based on principles of social justice and sustainability. The values of diversity, inclusiveness and international and intercultural understanding are integral to our process of life-long learning.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you see yourself advocating for others, supporting communities, or pursuing social justice, your journey starts here. Discover how Ramapo students turn compassion into action and careers that create lasting impact. See what’s possible:
Contact Us
Email: SSSWOffice@ramapo.edu
Office: ASB-431
Hours: Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (201) 684-7625 or (201) 684-7624
Fax: (201) 684-7257
