The Criminology program is a blend of the theoretical and applied and stresses an understanding of crime and punishment in a free and democratic society and provides the background and skills that are needed to pursue employment in the criminal justice system. Built on a strong social science foundation within a framework of the liberal arts, the program prepares students in the applied aspects of criminal justice at the associate level and the broader theoretical aspects of criminology at the bachelor's level. Students completing the program are prepared to be employed in a variety of careers in the criminal justice or juvenile justice systems or to continue in graduate schools or law school.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

The requirements for a B.A. major in Criminology consists of 45 semester hours of coursework including the following courses:

• Criminology 101A - Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
• Criminology 102A - Introduction to Criminology
• Criminology 290 - Criminal Justice Internship (three semester hours)
• Criminology 395 - Criminology Internship (three semester hours)
• Political Science 100 - American Government
• Sociology 334 - Research Methods and Data Analysis

Three semester hours chosen from:

• Political Science 210 - Civil Liberties
• Political Science 301 - The Judiciary and Public Policy

Six semester hours chosen from:

• Criminology 203 - Law Enforcement
• Criminology 205 - Corrections and Punishment
• Criminology 207 - Criminal Law
• Criminology 209 - Criminal Procedure
• Criminology 211 - Drugs and Drug Abuse

Six semester hours chosen from:

• Criminology 330 - Victimology
• Criminology 335 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
• Criminology 350 - Crime and Social Inequality
• Criminology 351 - The Death Penalty in America
• Criminology 353 - Miscarriage of Justice
• Criminology 355 - White Collar Crime
• Criminology 357 - Introduction to Forensic Science
• Criminology 360 - Ethics and Philosophy in Criminal Justice
• Criminology 397 - Senior Thesis
• Criminology 399 - Independent Study

Six semester hours chosen from:

• Sociology 101 - Introduction to Sociology
• Sociology 103 - Social Problems
• Sociology 221 - Class and Economic Inequality
• Sociology 223 - Race, Gender, and Social Inequality
• Sociology 226 - Deviance and Social Control
• Sociology 301 - Sociological Theory

Six semester hours chosen from:

• Psychology 101 - Introduction to Psychology
• Psychology 104 - Introduction to Human Services
• Psychology 217 - Adolescent Development
• Psychology 222 - Theory and Practice of Counseling Psychology
• Psychology 224 - Psychopathology

An additional requirement is an academic minor selected outside the discipline of Criminology.

Minor in Criminology The requirements for a minor in Criminology consist of 18 semester hours including Criminology 101A, 102A, six semester hours of 200 level criminology courses and six semester hours of 300 level criminology courses.