Criminology, BA
Criminology is the scientific study of the making and breaking of laws, including society's reaction to both. This discipline focuses on all of the relevant parties involved in crime including the victim, offender, society, and the criminal justice system. More specifically, students who select the Criminology major will spend time exploring issues such as: the causes of crime; why certain groups become victims of crime; the consequences of crime for the victim, offender, and community; how the criminal justice systems respond to crime, victims, and offenders; how crime is defined in & outside the United States; the relationship between law & society; and, how crime might be prevented. The Criminology program will prepare students to work in a variety of areas related to crime and in various parts of the criminal justice system, as well as preparing them to enter graduate and professional programs in criminology, criminal justice, social work, and law.
Criminology Requirements
The Criminology Major requires 45 total credits: twenty-one (21) credits of required major courses, nine (9) credits of support courses, and three (3) credits of Criminology electives. One area of concentration, comprised of twelve (12) credits, is also required. Concentration areas are: General Criminology, Criminal Justice System, Juvenile Justice, or Restorative Justice.
Required Major Courses
Criminology Support Courses
Criminology Electives - Choose 1 from the list below
General Concentration
2 Criminology Courses at the 2000 level
2 Criminology Courses at the 3000 or 4000 level
Criminal Justice System Concentration
| CRI 2430 | AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRI 3410 | ETHICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
Criminal Justice System Electives, Choose two from the following:
| CRI 2450 | THE UNITED STATES COURT SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRI 2310 | HISTORY OF CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| CRI 2440 | LAW ENFORCEMENT & THE COMMUNITY | 3 |
| POS 3400 | UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION & SUPREME COURT | 3 |
Juvenile Justice Concentration
Required
Restorative Justice Concentration
Required
Restorative Justice Elective, Choose one from the following: