Criminology is the scientific study of criminal behavior and the social institutions that deal with crime. The criminology major combines the resources of psychology and sociology, in order to effect a broad-based view of criminal behavior.
In addition to course offerings, departmental majors are encouraged to work in community, social and/or correctional agencies where they can apply classroom knowledge to real problems. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree are encouraged to complete the department’s minor in Advanced Scientific Analysis.
In addition to courses, you are encouraged to work in community, social and/or correctional agencies where you can apply classroom knowledge to real problems. Most recently, our students have interned at:
Upon graduation, nearly 100% of our students who apply are accepted to attend graduate, law, or medical school Recently, our students have chosen to study at such places as:
Criminology is a dynamic field of study that prepares students for a variety of jobs at all levels of government and in the private sector. A sample of employment opportunities is provided below. Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but there are others, such as diplomatic security, where a master’s degree is needed for entry level employment. In some cases, proficiency in a foreign language or basic accounting is necessary.
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The Criminology major requires 44-45 credit hours of coursework.
Students should complete all 100-and 200-level requirements before accumulating 60 credit hours (junior status).
All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.
Co-requisites must be taken during the same semester.
CRIM 102: Introduction to Criminology
CRIM 331: Advanced Criminology
BSCI 200: Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 275: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 275-L: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
BSCI 359: Advanced Behavioral Research with Thesis I
It is essential that students complete BSCI 109, BSCI 200, BSCI 275, and BSCI 275-L before taking BSCI 359.
Those students who fail or do not successfully complete BSCI 359 will be removed from the Advanced Behavioral I and II course sequence. Students will not be allowed to register for and/or audit BSCI 361 during the following spring semester. Failing students must re-attempt the 359/361 sequence the following fall semester.
BSCI 361: Advanced Behavioral Research with Thesis II
Those students who fail or do not successfully complete BSCI 361 must earn a passing grade in BSCI 343 in order to fulfill the university and department research requirement. The final grade awarded in BSCI 343 shall not replace any prior grade earned in BSCI 361.
BSCI 380: Undergraduate Internship Experience
Students enrolled in BSCI 493 are required to take a comprehensive examination over topics covered in the major as well as a nationally-normed exit exam.
CRIM 332: Juvenile Delinquency
CRIM 342: The Correctional System
CRIM 360: The Judicial Process
CRIM 333: Behavioral Health and the Justice System
CRIM 341: Justice, Punishment and Ethics
CRIM 345: Cases of Innocence in the Criminal Justice System
BSCI 308: Qualitative Research Methods
BSCI 475: Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 475-L: Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
BSCI 480: Undergraduate Internship Experience II
CRIM 301: Principles of Forensic Science
CRIM 321: Deviance and Social Control
CRIM 332: Juvenile Delinquency
CRIM 333: Behavioral Health and the Justice System
CRIM 341: Justice, Punishment and Ethics
CRIM 342: The Correctional System
CRIM 345: Cases of Innocence in the Criminal Justice System
CRIM 360: The Judicial Process
CRIM 390, 490: Selected Topics