All that potential we talked about? It pays off with the development of critical thinking, analytical and writing skills. The education you receive, the work you do and the skills you acquire through Social Science, Philosophy and Religion programs will help you get rewarding jobs, gain admission to graduate schools, and discover new ways to make a difference in the world.

In psychology, every graduating senior who applied to graduate school in 2008 and 2009 was accepted. In social work in 2008 and 2009, every graduate who sought a job was hired or was accepted into graduate school before the end of the school year. And the kennel where psychology students helped train dogs for the "Learning and Memory" class? Its dogs, too, have had some of their highest placement rate in decades, in part due to students' work.

Here are some graduates who majored in SSPR programs and the careers their educations have helped them to find:

Criminal Justice

Ryan Veldboom, Class of 2001
Sergeant, Emmetsburg Police Department
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Cody Baines, Class of 2004
Police Officer, City of Omaha
Omaha, Neb.

History

Libby Cavanaugh-Wielenga, Class of 2005
Historic Program Specialist, Iowa Dept of Transportation
Ankeny, Iowa

Philosophy and Religion

Ellen Larson Davidson, Class of 2001
Minister, Church of Scotland; Parish of Fintray Kinellar Keithhall

Political Science

Bill Bracker, Class of 1982
Attorney, Bracker Law Office
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Dacia Burckhardt, Class of 2001
Attorney, Dacia Burckhardt Law Office, PLLC
Tyler, Minn.

Psychology

Renee Fagen, Class of 2010
Psychiatric Security Specialist, Cherokee Mental Health Institute
Cherokee, Iowa

Paul Guerdet, Class of 2001
Program Director, Sequel Care of Iowa

Social Work

Darren Whitfield, Class of 2007
Program Director, AIDS Project of Central Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa

Patty Laverty, Class of 2007
Child/Family Advocate, Upper Des Moines Opportunity/DHS
Newell, Iowa

Tricia McGregor, Class of 2005
Hospice Social Worker, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center
Storm Lake, Iowa

Karla Christensen, Class of 2000
Play Therapist, Mahaska Health Partnership - New Directions
Oskaloosa, Iowa 

Lindy Fortin, Class of 1995
Suicide Prevention Coordinator, VA Medical Center
Burnsville, Minn.