A liberal arts degree offers a broad and versatile foundation that is exceptionally well-suited for a career in social justice. By fostering critical thinking, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of diverse cultures and societies, a liberal arts education equips you to tackle complex social issues with nuance and empathy.
Courses in disciplines such as sociology, political science, and philosophy help you analyze systemic problems and develop innovative solutions. The emphasis on research, writing, and ethical reasoning prepares you to advocate effectively, engage in informed policy discussions, and contribute meaningfully to organizations dedicated to social change.
A liberal arts degree combines a deep understanding of societal challenges with critical thinking, fostering key transferable skills essential for enacting social change, such as:
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Research and Organization
- Leadership
- Communication and Listening
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Written and Oral Communication
Related Interests
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Interested in learning more about what you can do with a liberal arts degree?
Future Students
Current Students
Majors
Each major develops analytical, research, and communication skills that are essential for driving meaningful change.
While this page shows many opportunities and examples of what our students and alumni have done related to this area of interest, this is not an exhaustive list of majors or experiences.
Out-of-Classroom Experiences
Internships
- Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project at Northeastern School of Law
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- Geisinger Medical Center
- Centre County Planning and Community Development
Research Spotlights
- Underrepresented Perspectives Lab (Janae Sayler)
- Underrepresented Perspectives Lab (Carter Gangl)
Education Abroad Destinations
South Africa
Students in WMNST 399, The Quest for Reproductive Justice in South Africa, collaborated with reproductive justice organizations and conducted research for the South African Women’s Legal Center in Cape Town, examining the history and politics of reproductive justice.
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Netherlands
Students taking CRIM 197 and CRIM 422 participated in an embedded program called “Victimization in the Netherlands” over spring break to learn about the differences in policy problems between the Netherlands and United States.
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Spain
France
Germany
United Kingdom
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Continuing Education
- Law school
- MBA
- Graduate school to study public policy, law, human rights, gender studies, urban and regional planning, sociology, public administration, nonprofit management, and education policy
Job Titles
- Urban Planner
- Human Rights Advocate
- Social Worker
- Policy Analyst
- Community Organizer
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Public Interest Lawyer
- Education Coordinator
- Advocacy Director
Industries
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Government and Public Administration
- Education
- Health Care
- Legal Services
- International Development
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Media and Communications
- Research and Academia
- Urban Planning and Housing
Employers
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Teach For America
- Planned Parenthood
- World Health Organization
- Human Rights Watch
- Habitat for Humanity
- Pew Research Center
- The Urban Institute
- United Nations
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Urban Institute
Alumni Career Conversations
Careers in...
Campus LeaderStudent Organizations
Maggie Day
’25
Spanish
|
Education
|
Public Policy
|
Women's Studies (minor)
Spanish
Education
Public Policy
Women's Studies (minor)
Maggie founded a student organization called the Reproductive Justice Project at Penn State in fall of 2023. Serving as the organization’s executive director, she worked with her fellow members to advance reproductive justice efforts at Penn State, be it educating students about the four tenets of reproductive justice — the right to have a child, the right to not have a child, the right to raise children in safe and sustainable communities, and the right to bodily autonomy — or holding a Reproductive Advocacy Week in March alongside other campus student organizations.
Campus LeaderStudent Organizations
Fatmah Almeer
’26
Social Data Analytics
|
Hospitality Management
Social Data Analytics
Hospitality Management
Fatmah helps lead the FDRL Free Food Map, a feature in the Penn State Go app that directs students facing food insecurity to locations where they can access free food. So far, they have over 200 locations in Pennsylvania entered on the map and are hoping to further expand to other states.
Faculty Research
Martha Wadsworth
Professor of Psychology
Professor of Psychology
Martha received a new five-year $5.5 million NIMH grant to expand her BaSICS program (Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills), which helps middle schoolers manage chronic stress through evidence-based strategies.
Comparative LiteratureSchwartz Fellows
Anshuta Beeram
’25
Comparative Literature
|
Premedicine
Comparative Literature
Premedicine
Anshuta Beeram, who was awarded the 2025 Schwartz Fellowship, will use their funding to address social isolation in nursing homes via poetry. They will lead poetry workshops in nursing homes to foster creative expression among residents.
InternshipPolitical SciencePublic Policy
Dan Bransfield
’25
Political Science
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Economics (minor)
|
Public Policy (master's degree)
Political Science
Economics (minor)
Public Policy (master's degree)
In summer 2024, Dan interned with Team Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, working in agricultural policy — a field he had not previously explored. He gained hands-on experience by researching policy topics, visiting facilities and connecting with professionals in the field. One of his most memorable moments was attending a board meeting at Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence, where he met Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi and other University leaders.
InternshipPolitical Science
Serenity Myers
’26
African American Studies
|
Political Science
African American Studies
Political Science
In summer 2024, Serenity was a congressional intern for Rep. Dwight Evans in Philadelphia. One of her proudest accomplishments during the internship, was reviving the Youth Advisory Council, a program designed to engage young people in civic leadership. Collaborating with senators from Pennsylvania and a representative from California, she gathered insights and best practices to help relaunch the initiative.