4 answers
katrina
Student
Little Rock, Arkansas
1
Question
Updated
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Advocacy and Sociology degree?
I am currently back in college about to finish my first year associates and wanting to switch my degree plan to what I have the most passion for, advocacy for victims of sexual assault. I am also interested in equality and gender which points me to sociology but the psychology part of counseling. I need help in deciding what is the best way to help others in my future as I go through school. the classes I have taken so far I have to have with both degree plans but I have to make a decision on the specialty going forward.
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4 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Katrina,
First off, it's amazing that you're pursuing your passion for advocacy—this field needs more dedicated people like you! The good news is that both sociology and psychology can lead to careers in victim advocacy, but which one is the best fit depends on how you want to help survivors.
Now...
Sociology (Societal Change & Policy Work)
Best for those who want to focus on systemic change, policy, and activism.
Helps you understand the root causes of inequality, gender issues, and victimization.
Good for advocacy organizations, government work, and non-profits pushing for legal/policy reforms.
Psychology (One-on-One Counseling & Mental Health Support)
Best if you want to provide direct emotional and psychological support to survivors.
Leads to careers in counseling, therapy, or forensic psychology.
Requires further education (master’s or licensure) if you want to become a licensed counselor.
Criminal Justice (Legal & Law Enforcement Collaboration)
Important for working with victims in legal settings (court advocacy, forensic interviewing, law enforcement collaboration).
Helps if you’re interested in victim rights, forensic psychology, or working with law enforcement.
How to Decide
Ask yourself:
Do you want to work with individual survivors one-on-one? → Psychology
Do you want to fight for systemic change and equality? → Sociology
Are you drawn to legal advocacy or forensic work? → Criminal Justice
If you're still unsure, consider a double major (Psychology & Sociology) or a minor in Criminal Justice. This way, you keep your options open while getting a well-rounded education.
Remember, You Can’t Go Wrong!
No matter which path you choose, you WILL be making an impact. The key is aligning your degree with how you personally want to help survivors—whether through direct support, systemic change, or legal advocacy.
You're on the right way, and I’m excited for the difference you’ll make in the world! Keep going! Keep believing and you will succeed with dedication and passion buddy! 😎
Look at job descriptions – Check postings for victim advocate, social worker, forensic psychologist, etc., to see what degrees they require.
Volunteer or intern – Get hands-on experience with crisis centers, victim advocacy groups, or nonprofits. This helps confirm what area you truly love.
Choose electives strategically – If majoring in Sociology, take Psychology & Law courses. If majoring in Psychology, take Criminal Justice or Gender Studies courses.
Network with professionals – Connect with advocates, counselors, and legal experts to hear their career paths.
First off, it's amazing that you're pursuing your passion for advocacy—this field needs more dedicated people like you! The good news is that both sociology and psychology can lead to careers in victim advocacy, but which one is the best fit depends on how you want to help survivors.
Now...
Sociology (Societal Change & Policy Work)
Best for those who want to focus on systemic change, policy, and activism.
Helps you understand the root causes of inequality, gender issues, and victimization.
Good for advocacy organizations, government work, and non-profits pushing for legal/policy reforms.
Psychology (One-on-One Counseling & Mental Health Support)
Best if you want to provide direct emotional and psychological support to survivors.
Leads to careers in counseling, therapy, or forensic psychology.
Requires further education (master’s or licensure) if you want to become a licensed counselor.
Criminal Justice (Legal & Law Enforcement Collaboration)
Important for working with victims in legal settings (court advocacy, forensic interviewing, law enforcement collaboration).
Helps if you’re interested in victim rights, forensic psychology, or working with law enforcement.
How to Decide
Ask yourself:
Do you want to work with individual survivors one-on-one? → Psychology
Do you want to fight for systemic change and equality? → Sociology
Are you drawn to legal advocacy or forensic work? → Criminal Justice
If you're still unsure, consider a double major (Psychology & Sociology) or a minor in Criminal Justice. This way, you keep your options open while getting a well-rounded education.
Remember, You Can’t Go Wrong!
No matter which path you choose, you WILL be making an impact. The key is aligning your degree with how you personally want to help survivors—whether through direct support, systemic change, or legal advocacy.
You're on the right way, and I’m excited for the difference you’ll make in the world! Keep going! Keep believing and you will succeed with dedication and passion buddy! 😎
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Leo Nine, your support shines bright—much appreciated!
Dr H
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1771
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Katrina,
It's great that you were able to find the commonalities between the 2 degrees and take those courses first. That was a wise move!
If I was in your current situation, I'd be looking at the job descriptions of positions you are interested in. Even without vacancies, some govt agencies still have the positions and descriptions posted on-line. For example: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/bexarcountytx/classspecs?keywords=advocate
Experience of some sort is going to be much more crucial than the specific degree. Advocacy is emotionally taxing, and they want to know you have what it takes! Look into this program: https://cacarkansas.org/
The other thing I encourage you to do is use your electives to create a degree that is unique to you. What do I mean? I majored in Sociology, but used all my electives in Political Science. I also used authorized substitutions in mandatory courses the same way. So, for example, instead of taking the basic US government course I took an upper level Constitutional Law course. By the time I was done, I created a degree in "Political Sociology" even though I officially majored in Sociology.
Take some GOOD courses, don't just go for the credential. Truly learn the in's and out's of the judicial/legal system. Law classes should be more demanding than a Criminal Justice or Psychology class. Mix it up a little. Even look at science and medical classes. You never know what you might find - a course in medical terminology might be good, for example.
Thank you for being interested in victim advocacy!
Best of luck!
It's great that you were able to find the commonalities between the 2 degrees and take those courses first. That was a wise move!
If I was in your current situation, I'd be looking at the job descriptions of positions you are interested in. Even without vacancies, some govt agencies still have the positions and descriptions posted on-line. For example: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/bexarcountytx/classspecs?keywords=advocate
Experience of some sort is going to be much more crucial than the specific degree. Advocacy is emotionally taxing, and they want to know you have what it takes! Look into this program: https://cacarkansas.org/
The other thing I encourage you to do is use your electives to create a degree that is unique to you. What do I mean? I majored in Sociology, but used all my electives in Political Science. I also used authorized substitutions in mandatory courses the same way. So, for example, instead of taking the basic US government course I took an upper level Constitutional Law course. By the time I was done, I created a degree in "Political Sociology" even though I officially majored in Sociology.
Take some GOOD courses, don't just go for the credential. Truly learn the in's and out's of the judicial/legal system. Law classes should be more demanding than a Criminal Justice or Psychology class. Mix it up a little. Even look at science and medical classes. You never know what you might find - a course in medical terminology might be good, for example.
Thank you for being interested in victim advocacy!
Best of luck!
Linda Harris DACM
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
7
Answers
San Diego, CA
Updated
Linda’s Answer
I would focus on sociology, psychology, political science, and criminal justice. Many forget about criminal justice, but that knowledge is important in career advocacy. I know you can't major in all of those, but the idea is if you can take courses in those areas, you will build a strong foundational knowledge. That strong knowledge base will make you a better advocate. The sociology/psychology helps in understanding the personal and societal experience, and the political science/criminal justice assists in understanding and hopefully creating change in the systemic issues that make advocacy necessary. Potentially, an advocacy degree would cover all of those, but it's a novel degree, and many people won't be familiar with the requirements. That can go either way, but many in advocacy want to see that you're committed enough to learn and understand the fundamental issues in society and have the knowledge to see where policy needs to change. I'm a volunteer advocate, but I have worked with organizations, and that's what I saw. You'll have a better idea when you imagine your plans. If you want to work one-on-one with survivors during police or court interviews, forensic psychology and criminal justice courses would be in line with that. If you want to work with front-line organizations working to change the system, sociology and political science are necessary. If you volunteer with an organization, you should be able to find someone who works in the field to meet with you and give you the best advice for your goals. If you aren't volunteering yet, I'd recommend starting.
I'm editing to add that I'm heartened to read about you working toward this difficult and important goal and wish you the best.
I'm editing to add that I'm heartened to read about you working toward this difficult and important goal and wish you the best.
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
915
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Katrina, please understand that choosing between advocacy and sociology, especially when your passion lies in helping victims of sexual assault and promoting equality and gender, is a meaningful and pivotal decision. Both fields can provide a pathway to positively impact individuals and communities, but they offer distinct approaches and specializations that may align differently with your personal goals and values.
Advocacy, particularly focused on victims of sexual assault, provides a direct and impactful approach to helping individuals through crisis and trauma. A degree in advocacy would equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to work within social services, nonprofit organizations, or legal systems, where you can help survivors navigate their emotional, legal, and practical challenges. Advocacy also often involves public policy work, educating the public, and raising awareness around issues related to sexual assault, gender-based violence, and systemic inequalities. The career paths in advocacy are generally hands-on, allowing you to work directly with survivors, providing critical support and resources, and advocating for legislative and societal changes. This field could also involve working in shelters, crisis centers, or as a legal advocate for survivors in court. The psychology aspect of counseling is also relevant in advocacy, particularly in understanding trauma and offering empathetic, trauma-informed care to victims.
On the other hand, Katrina, sociology offers a broader, systemic perspective on social issues, including sexual assault, gender inequality, and equality. A degree in sociology would allow you to explore the deeper societal structures that contribute to issues like sexual violence, gender inequality, and discrimination. Sociology could lead you toward research roles, policy development, or community organizing, where you can advocate for larger social change. The courses in sociology typically emphasize understanding group dynamics, institutional power, and social inequalities, equipping you with the analytical tools to influence change on a macro level. With your interest in equality and gender, sociology would provide a comprehensive framework for addressing these issues in a way that integrates social theory with practical solutions.
If you are drawn to the psychology aspect of counseling and want to work closely with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, you might find that sociology’s focus on theory and research is a bit removed from the personal, hands-on aspect of advocacy and counseling. However, the two fields are not mutually exclusive. Many professionals working in sexual assault advocacy or gender equality roles combine sociology’s understanding of social structures and psychology’s focus on individual trauma. In fact, combining both fields could make you a highly effective advocate, giving you the sociological insight to address systemic issues while also allowing you to work directly with individuals who need psychological support and counseling.
Ultimately, Katrina, your decision should be guided by the specific type of work you want to do. If you see yourself directly helping victims, whether through legal, emotional, or psychological support, advocacy may be the best fit. If you are more interested in understanding and addressing the broader societal forces that influence gender inequality and sexual violence, sociology might provide the theoretical foundation you need. However, keep in mind that many career paths in advocacy benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, where sociology provides the macro-level understanding of social structures, and advocacy offers the micro-level, practical skills for working directly with victims. Your choice might also depend on how you envision yourself working in the field – whether it’s in direct service to individuals or in broader community and policy reform. Whatever you decide, both fields offer a powerful way to help others, and your passion for making a difference is the most important factor as you move forward in your studies.
Advocacy, particularly focused on victims of sexual assault, provides a direct and impactful approach to helping individuals through crisis and trauma. A degree in advocacy would equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to work within social services, nonprofit organizations, or legal systems, where you can help survivors navigate their emotional, legal, and practical challenges. Advocacy also often involves public policy work, educating the public, and raising awareness around issues related to sexual assault, gender-based violence, and systemic inequalities. The career paths in advocacy are generally hands-on, allowing you to work directly with survivors, providing critical support and resources, and advocating for legislative and societal changes. This field could also involve working in shelters, crisis centers, or as a legal advocate for survivors in court. The psychology aspect of counseling is also relevant in advocacy, particularly in understanding trauma and offering empathetic, trauma-informed care to victims.
On the other hand, Katrina, sociology offers a broader, systemic perspective on social issues, including sexual assault, gender inequality, and equality. A degree in sociology would allow you to explore the deeper societal structures that contribute to issues like sexual violence, gender inequality, and discrimination. Sociology could lead you toward research roles, policy development, or community organizing, where you can advocate for larger social change. The courses in sociology typically emphasize understanding group dynamics, institutional power, and social inequalities, equipping you with the analytical tools to influence change on a macro level. With your interest in equality and gender, sociology would provide a comprehensive framework for addressing these issues in a way that integrates social theory with practical solutions.
If you are drawn to the psychology aspect of counseling and want to work closely with individuals in a therapeutic capacity, you might find that sociology’s focus on theory and research is a bit removed from the personal, hands-on aspect of advocacy and counseling. However, the two fields are not mutually exclusive. Many professionals working in sexual assault advocacy or gender equality roles combine sociology’s understanding of social structures and psychology’s focus on individual trauma. In fact, combining both fields could make you a highly effective advocate, giving you the sociological insight to address systemic issues while also allowing you to work directly with individuals who need psychological support and counseling.
Ultimately, Katrina, your decision should be guided by the specific type of work you want to do. If you see yourself directly helping victims, whether through legal, emotional, or psychological support, advocacy may be the best fit. If you are more interested in understanding and addressing the broader societal forces that influence gender inequality and sexual violence, sociology might provide the theoretical foundation you need. However, keep in mind that many career paths in advocacy benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, where sociology provides the macro-level understanding of social structures, and advocacy offers the micro-level, practical skills for working directly with victims. Your choice might also depend on how you envision yourself working in the field – whether it’s in direct service to individuals or in broader community and policy reform. Whatever you decide, both fields offer a powerful way to help others, and your passion for making a difference is the most important factor as you move forward in your studies.