Criminal Justice
Learn to analyze situations and events in a logical way, organize parts of a problem, and more!
Social Services, Safety, and Education
Solve Real Problems, See Meaningful Results
In our Social Science programs, you'll learn critical thinking and analysis skills that can prepare you to make a difference in a wide variety of career paths.
Whether you'd like to join the workforce right after graduating or are looking to transfer to a four-year school, we can help map out the perfect journey for you.
Explore all your options in our social science interest areas to learn more about what just two years at Kirkwood can do for your future.
Our Education and Human Services programs can prepare you for a meaningful career in teaching and related fields, while other social science concentrations can give you a great start toward earning a four-year degree.
Education Careers
Discover aspects of becoming a successful teacher or paraeducator, including general teaching concepts and methods.
Fire Science Technology
Recent high school graduates or volunteers can use this program to improve their employment prospects in this profession.
Human Services
Focus on understanding behavior, social policy, social programs, and more.
Paralegal
Paralegal Studies program will prepare you for the paralegal profession, and it can also give you the credentials you need to further your career if you’re already employed in legal work.
Political Science
Kirkwood’s Political Science interest area focuses on government, law and political behavior. It also deals with power structures, institutions, and diversity.
“I love Kirkwood’s Criminal Justice program! The instructors are former law enforcement officers, so not only do they have practical experience to share, they have contacts that lead to interesting experiences. My class went on a tour of the Linn County Courthouse and it was so neat to get an insider view and see how it applies to our classwork.”
Malayna Arp,
Walker, Iowa
Looking for more options?
Check out our Program Areas
Program Areas are a collection of Kirkwood’s academic program options organized by similar career/interest categories. If you’re not ready to commit to a specific program yet, a Program Area is perfect for you! You can also customize any of our programs to meet your transfer needs, if that’s your goal.