Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

Outline

Criminology focuses on the nature and causes of crime, as well as on the analysis of crime control policy. The B.A. in criminology allows students to pursue focused study in criminology within the context of a broad liberal arts education. It offers the dual options of preparation for immediate entry into employment in the criminal justice area or pursuit of advanced studies in criminology and related fields at the graduate level. 

This degree prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation, youth counseling, substance abuse counseling, criminal investigation and other areas related to criminal justice, social work, and human services. 

With appropriate guidance from advisors, students can combine the criminology major with course work in other areas that will prepare them for graduate-level studies in specialty areas such as forensics, computer crime investigation, law, and social work.

This is not a degree in criminal justice, which is an applied field of study that is more focused on the criminal justice system itself. Compared to more applied training in criminal justice programs, the B.A. in criminology provides a broader liberal arts curriculum that can enhance prospects for long-term career advancement and acceptance into graduate school.

Requirements for the Major in Criminology

In addition to the college’s General Education, quantitative skills and foreign language requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree (consult College Catalog for an explanation of each), a total of 39 credit hours is required for the major in criminology.


Core Courses, 27 credits

  • SOC 150: Intro. to Sociology or SOC 100: American Society
  • CRM 303: The Criminal Justice System
  • CRM 373: Deviant Behavior
  • CRM 462: Juvenile Delinquency
  • CRM 463: Criminology
  • CRM 464: Corrections or PHI 205: Prisons and Punishment
  • SOC 492: Sociological Theory
  • SOC 493: Methods of Social Research I
  • SOC 494: Methods of Social Research II


Legal Process Electives: 3 credits
Students must choose one of the following:

  • CRM 375: Sociology of Law
  • CRM 377: Crime and Criminal Law
  • POL 202:  Law and Judicial Process
  • POL 304:  Constitutional Law
  • POL 404:  Civil Liberties
  • POL 470:  Justice and Society
  • PHI 340:    Philosophy of Law

Criminology Electives: 6 credits
Students must choose two of the following:

  • CRM 333: The Police
  • CRM 345: Drug Policy
  • CRM 348: Gun Control: Crime, Law, Policy
  • CRM 365: Sociology of Violence
  • CRM 380: White-Collar Crime
  • CRM 383: Race, Class, Gender and Crime
  • CRM 477: Social Control
  • CRM 485: Capital Punishment
  • CRM 498: Seminar in Criminology (Variable Topics)


Sociology Elective: 3 credits

Students may take any sociology course at the 300-level or above or CPV 400 (internship)