Public & Social Services
Public & Social Services careers are driven by a shared purpose—to improve lives and strengthen communities. From protecting public safety and supporting individuals in need to leading public organizations and helping people look and feel their best, these careers make a lasting impact every day. Whether your passion is serving others, advocating for your community, or providing personal care and services, this career community will help you explore career options, connect with employers, and prepare for a rewarding future.
- The Associate of Science degree prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree, and may also assist students in pursuing employment in a substance use disorder or mental health treatment facility as a technician, monitor, support staff member, case manager, etc.
- Certificate A is specifically designed for those holding the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) license and a Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) degree. The regulations include fewer required courses for someone possessing a BSW degree already. Certificate B is for all other bachelor’s degree holders.
- Prepares students to take the Kansas Board of Cosmetology written and performance exam required before becoming a licensed cosmetologist.
- Completion time – 2 years (4 semesters).
- Both programs include instruction in the four key areas required by the fire service industry: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Medical Technician. Upon completion, students are eligible to take state certifications for each area.
- Completion time ranges from 1-2 years depending on level.
- Prepares students for careers as a border patrol agent, transportation security officer, emergency management specialist, customs and border protection officer, cyber security analyst or a security consultant.
- Students who want to continue their education have options such as becoming a homeland security specialist or manager, cybersecurity specialist or engineer, intelligence officer (CIA or NSA), policy analyst or advisor, counterterrorism expert, or law enforcement leader.
- Can be completed in one semester.
- Prepares students to become licensed nail technologists – graduates are eligible to take state licensing exams.
- Can be completed in one semester.
- Designed to be completed in two years and covers areas of law including business, criminal, real estate, family, estate, and others.
- Program includes two internships and graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam or the PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam).
- Criminal Justice AA degree prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in law enforcement, corrections, security and related fields. Common roles include police officer (additional academy training may be required), correctional officer, probation or parole officer, security guard, and private investigator.
- Graduates who complete bachelor’s or graduate level degrees can unlock additional and often higher-ranking career opportunities, such as detective/criminal investigator, FBI agent or federal law enforcement officer, forensic science technician, criminologist, corrections manager or administrator, and others.
- Prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Graduates with a background in political science often pursue careers in government, public service, law, public policy, political campaigns, nonprofit organizations, international affairs, public relations, journalism, education, and business.
- Prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree needed to become a licensed social worker (LSW).
- Kansas City’s state line creates a unique cross-border landscape for social workers, requiring dual-state license navigation while offering a wide range of career paths across federal, state, county, and local agencies, major medical centers, schools, and a variety of nonprofit organizations.
- Prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or other social and behavioral sciences.
- KCKCC prides itself on having the most visible student research conference in the psychological sciences in the country among undergraduate students. The college also organizes high school clinics in psychological sciences as well as a fall faculty symposium in psychological sciences.
- Prepares students for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Sociology majors often go on to work in social and community services, human resources, market research, government agencies, and education.
