Criminology is the study and exploration of the varied aspects of crime including the process of defining crime; victimization and the response of the criminal justice system to that victimization; the response of society to crime, criminals, and victims; and, why people commit crime. Courses within the criminology concentration provide students with opportunity to explore these and many other aspects of the discipline.
Students who select the criminology concentration will complete a major in sociology. As part of that major, they will be required to take courses that provide them with an introduction to the discipline of criminology; an analysis of social problems in the United States; an examination of the creation of laws and reaction to crime by society; various aspects of criminal victimization; and, an exploration to crime, victimization, and criminal justice systems across the world.
Criminology is designed to provide students with a general understanding of the discipline, as well as provide them with the opportunity to explore many of the different and specific areas of focus for the discipline.
This concentration will prepare students for graduate programs and scholarly careers in sociology, criminology, and social deviance, as well as professional careers in corrections, law enforcement, youth programming, rehabilitation, victim services, insurance and financial fraud counseling, private investigation, and the judicial court system.
Program Requirements for Sociology Major with Criminology Concentration
Students who select the criminology concentration within the sociology major will be required to complete required courses for the sociology major (21 credits), and 24 additional credits (15 required and 9 elective) that specifically target the criminology concentration. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.