Criminology
Improve the criminal legal system
The criminology program will prepare you to study the frequency, location and causes of crime. You’ll learn how to collect data, analyze your findings and present policy recommendations. A Bachelor of Arts in criminology will provide you with the analytical, research and organizational skills needed to improve the criminal legal system for both victims and offenders.
You will learn the processes and institutions of the criminal legal system. Explore how law enforcement, courts, corrections and community organizations address crime in society. Through program coursework, you will examine structural challenges, behavior patterns and criminal trends.
A criminology degree provides you with a foundation for graduate work in law, social work, sociology, public policy and public health. We offer the 3+3 BA/JD Program, which allows high-achieving first-year undergraduate students to be admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) and the College of Law (LAW). You’ll complete your first three years in LAS and your final three years in LAW.
Classes
Coursework
- Crime and the Media
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
- Introduction to the Criminal Legal System
- Law Enforcement
- Race, Class, Gender and the Criminal Legal System
- Research Methods in Criminology
- Victimology
Resources
Concentrations/Tracks
- Community Justice
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Race, Class, Gender, and Justice
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Attorney
- Correctional officer
- Crime scene investigator
- Judge
- Mental health counselor
- Police officer
- Victim advocate
Major Requirements
The multidisciplinary nature of Criminology provides content, training, and theoretical knowledge to undergraduate students across a variety of disciplines.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 101 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| CRIM 201 | LAW ENFORCEMENT | 4 |
| CRIM 202 | CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE | 4 |
| CRIM 203 | CORRECTIONS | 4 |
| CRIM 205 | RACE, CLASS, GENDER AND THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| CRIM 301 | RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY | 4 |
| CRIM 302 | STATISTICS IN CRIMINOLOGY | 4 |
| CRIM 303 | CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY | 4 |
| CRIM 305 | VICTIMOLOGY | 4 |
| CRIM 395 | CAPSTONE IN CRIMINOLOGY | 4 |
In addition, the students will register for a Criminology-specific capstone course (CRIM 395) that contextualizes the knowledge and skills learned in the curriculum.
