Sociology/Human Services Major - Criminology Option

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The Criminology option explores how historically-generated political, economic, and power/knowledge systems influence the creation of laws, attitudes and perceptions about crime, and the actual functioning of our contemporary criminal justice system. Criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency are also examined in light of historically-generated social, economic, and political conditions. The Criminology option is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the political nature of law creation, enforcement, adjudication, and punishment, as well as a thorough understanding of the bureaucratic structure of these various components of the criminal justice system. Alternative Native American and restorative justice systems and concepts are also explored as viable ways of thinking about problems of crime.

The Criminology option offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between theory and practice. Students in the Criminology option are required to participate in a semester-long internship where students work and study within various criminal justice-related social service programs. The Criminology option provides excellent opportunities for those students interested in graduate school or a career in 1) law; 2) law enforcement; 3) probation; 4) social work; or 5) corrections.

A minor in Criminology is available for students majoring in other disciplines.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY/HUMAN SERVICES - CRIMINOLOGY OPTION:

Liberal Arts Core - Credits: 39

See Liberal Arts Core .

Specific Departmental Requirements:

SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 4
PS 241 - Intro Criminal Justice Systems Credits: 4
¹ SOC 315 - Field Methods Credits: 4
¹ SOC 320 - Community Service Practicum Credits: 1-16 (need 8 credits)
SOC 362 - Criminology & Criminal Justice Credits: 4
SOC 363 - Youth and Crime Credits: 4
¹ SOC 421 - Contemporary Social Analysis in SW Credits: 4
SOC 496 - Senior Seminar Credits: 4

Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements - Credits: 36

Other Departmental Requirements:

A minimum of 12 additional credits, with at least 8 of those in upper division courses to be chosen from the following course selections:

* Courses followed by an asterisk have prerequisites.

ECON 340 - Economics of Crime Credits: 4
PHIL 251 - Moral Philosophy Credits: 4
PHIL 252 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 4
PS 340 - Constitution Law:Bill Of Rights Credits: 4
PS 341 - Constitution Law:Federalism & Separation of Power Credits: 4
PS 423 - Philosophy of Law Credits: 4
PSYC 233 - Personality Credits: 4 *
PSYC 302 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 4
PSYC 325 - Group Dynamics Credits: 4 *
PSYC 342 - Psychological Testing Credits: 4 *
PSYC 387 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 4 *
SOC 200 - Social Change & Human Services Credits: 4
SOC 321 - Special Topics in Sociology Credits: 1-6
SOC 361 - Deviance Credits: 4
SOC 400 - Native American Law & Politics Credits: 4

Subtotal Other Departmental Requirements - Credits: 12

Total Departmental Requirements - Credits: 48

Free Electives (variable)

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION - CREDITS: 120*

* Among the minimum 120 credits required for the degree, 45 credits must be upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.

¹These courses are part of the Sociology Block program.

Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.