Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal events, including offender motivation, the situation/context of crime, and crime victimization. Criminology also involves the measurement of crime; crime typologies; and theory construction and analysis. Criminal justice is the study of the law enforcement, judicial, and correctional systems that are directly involved in the apprehension, prosecution, defense, sentencing, incarceration, and supervision of those suspected of, charged with, or convicted of criminal offenses.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice major is designed to prepare students for various positions in the criminal justice system. Students in this program pursue careers in community corrections (probation and parole), state and federal correctional institutions, the courts, law enforcement (local, state and federal), juvenile justice agencies, government agencies, social service agencies, and private industry. The Criminology and Criminal Justice program is also a solid foundation for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in the social sciences, law school, and other professional programs.

Through an integration of the disciplines of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program seeks to provide students the opportunity to connect theory and practice inside and outside of the classroom. A senior capstone or internship is considered a vital part of the Criminology and Criminal Justice program.

Major in Criminology and Criminal Justice
(48 credit hours)

Six credit hours from the following, one course must be 200 level or higher:
PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
PSCN 240 Judicial Process
PSCN 465 Civil Liberties
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
PSPA 320 State and Local Governments
PSPA 380 Administrative Agencies

Support Work:
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology or SCWK 100 Modern Social Problems
PSYC 100 General Psychology
PSYC 203 Social Psychology or PSYC 239 Abnormal Psychology

Major Courses:
CRIM 101 Criminal Justice Systems
CRIM 102 Survey of Criminology
CRIM 220 Introduction to Law Enforcement
CRIM 230 Survey of Criminal Courts
CRIM 290 Institutional Corrections or CRIM 291 Community Corrections
CRIM 343 Juvenile Justice Systems
CRIM 398 Criminological Research Methods
CRIM 470 Criminological Theory
CRIM 495 Internship or CRIM 498 Capstone in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Six additional hours from:
CRIM 240 Criminal Law
CRIM 290 Institutional Corrections
CRIM 291 Community Corrections
CRIM 350 Organization and Management in Criminal Justice
CRIM 371 Criminal Procedure
CRIM 375 Criminal Investigation
CRIM 376 Advanced Topics in Policing
CRIM 440 Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice
CRIM 476 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Criminology
CRIM 477 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

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Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
(21 credit hours)

CRIM 101 Criminal Justice Systems
CRIM 102 Survey of Criminology
CRIM 220 Introduction to Law Enforcement
CRIM 230 Survey of Criminal Courts
CRIM 290 Institutional Corrections or CRIM 291 Community Corrections
CRIM 343 Juvenile Justice Systems

Three credit hours from:
CRIM 240 Criminal Law
CRIM 290 Institutional Corrections
CRIM 291 Community Corrections
CRIM 350 Organization and Management in Criminal Justice
CRIM 371 Criminal Procedure
CRIM 375 Criminal Investigation
CRIM 376 Advanced Topics in Policing
CRIM 398 Criminological Research Methods
CRIM 440 Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice
CRIM 470 Criminological Theory
CRIM 476 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Criminology
CRIM 477 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

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