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Criminology and Criminal Justice Area – Bachelor of Arts

The criminology program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in local, state and federal criminal justice agencies. Specific examples include correctional officer, probation and parole officer, counselor, case manager, police officer, youth officer and others. The criminology and criminal justice area is designed to familiarize students with 21st century best practices within the criminal justice system, like problem-solving courts, drug and mental health treatment and innovations in theoretical and empirical work in the study of the etiology, prevention and treatment of crime.

Program Competencies

  1. Students will gain a fundamental knowledge of the criminal justice system, criminal justice courts, policing, the constitution and civil rights.
  2. Students will develop professional communication skills and ethics in working with offenders and victims and practice these applied skills in the criminology practicum.
  3. Students will become familiar with general sociological theory and theoretical explanations of crime and delinquency.
  4. Students will develop the ability to read and understand criminological and sociological research methods and interpret the findings of such research.
  5. Students will begin to understand the reciprocal relationships between the criminal justice system, criminal justice policies and crime.
  6. Students will develop a working knowledge of the general concepts of sociological analysis, including exposure to selected substantive areas of sociology.
  7. Students will develop skills in sociological research and reasoning, including research design, data analysis, report writing and computer literacy.
  8. Students will develop reading skills, writing abilities and oral communication skills, so that they can apply sociological and criminological principles to criminal justice roles and explanations of criminal behavior and criminal justice system behavior.

Program Requirements

General Education

CRIM 499CSenior Criminology Capstone

3
Total Credit Hours:36

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Area Requirements

Students must earn a "C" or better in all course requirements. Students who do not earn a "C" must retake the course. Students must also maintain a 2.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) across the area to continue in the program.

Core Requirements

CRIM 250Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

3
CRIM 317Police Culture

3
CRIM 380Race, Class, Gender and Crime

3
CRIM 385Contemporary Legal Issues in the Criminal Justice System

3
CRIM 388Sociology of Punishment

3
CRIM 401Criminology

3
CRIM 490Practicum in Criminology

3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3
SOC 405Sociological Theory

3
SOC 450Research Methodology

3
SOC 451Quantitative Data Analysis

3
Total Credit Hours:33

Electives

Choose 15 hours from the following:

CRIM 300Criminogenic Family

3
CRIM 302Inside Out Prison Exchange Seminar

1
CRIM 303Special Topics: Inside Out Prison Exchange Program

3
CRIM 306Juvenile Delinquency

3
CRIM 315Sociology of White Collar Crime

3
CRIM 316Global Crime and Terrorism

3
CRIM 318Criminal Evidence and Investigation

3
CRIM 333Women and Partner Violence

3
CRIM 345Correctional Institutions

3
CRIM 363Sex Industry Perspectives

3
CRIM 372Victimology

3
CRIM 395Sociology of Serial Murder

3
CRIM 399Special Class

3
CRIM 404Crime and Justice Policies

3
CRIM 456Organizations in Contemporary Society

3
CRIM 416Working with Offenders

3
CRIM 461Sociology of the Law

3
CRIM 465Environmental Sociology

3
CRIM 476Special Problems

1-3
Total Credit Hours:15

Free Electives

Free Electives (chosen by student)

36
Total Credit Hours:36

Total Credit Hours: 120