Job opportunities for political scientists and sociologists are growing faster than average among all other occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By 2018, research forecasts a 21 percent growth in jobs from 2008.
To meet the growing need, local universities are expanding their political science programs, including Penn State University, which is offering an online bachelor's program. Officials said there are 162 students enrolled for the fall semester's online courses.
"We find online students are a different population from in-classroom students," Doug Lemke, associate professor of political science, said. "They are perhaps those who are older, with careers and families."
Penn State is the only local university at this time offering an online political science degree.
Older, nontraditional students show the most interest in political science courses at Mount Aloysius College, according to Dean of Humanities Deanne D'Emilio, who also reports growth in the school's history and political science program.
Many students who major in the field intend to teach social studies. She said non-traditional adult students, many of whom are in business and healthcare, are also interested in taking political science as a minor.
"Nontraditional students have life experiences that draw them to study political science. Even juniors and seniors become more interested in political science as they become aware of their role as American citizens and globally," D'Emilio said.
Political scientist job projections reflect the growing importance of public policy and research, the bureau states.
Juniata College associate professor of political science Dennis Plane said he hears students say that engineers don't need to learn about government. But he disagrees, noting engineers need funding for research.
"Government is one of the biggest funders of scientific research," Plane said. "If you're in healthcare, or an engineer who wants your research funded, you have to know the political system and how to influence government."
Social sciences are also generating careers for young adults on the cutting edge of technology.
Employees with critical thinking and analytical skills learned through social sciences are crucial to finding patterns in social media, Penn State's Lemke said .
Companies including Google are emphasizing social science skills in their employees.
"With social media, there is an immense amount of data generated - so for example, if you were a public relations person for singer Lady Gaga, you might research patterns to see whether there is a spike in the use of her name on social media when she announces concert dates," Lemke said.
At St. Francis University, sociology is a major course of study combined with criminology, and the undergraduate population earning that degree has increased for the past three years, said Associate Provost Pete Skoner.
Of the university's 30 majors, those enrolled in sociology and criminology comprise about 4 percent of the total undergraduate population.
Those studying political science have increased over the past three years, too, Skoner said. This year they will comprise 2 percent of the total undergraduate population.
"When the economy is shaky and presidents change, we see more student interest in political science," Skoner said. "We expect that interest to continue into the fall."
