The Sociology Department offers a specialized program in criminology, designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the field. Courses focus on the characteristics and causes of crime and deviance and on the origins, nature and consequences of societal reactions to crime and deviance, giving particular attention to the criminal justice system. Basic instruction is also given in sociological theory and research methods.

The program is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue one of the following career options:

• Graduate work in the social sciences with a special emphasis on criminology or criminal justice.
• A career in criminal justice (e.g. law enforcement, corrections, crime prevention), especially in agencies or departments involved in planning and evaluation.
• A career in law, social work or counseling

Note: Students may not count the same course as both a criminology core and criminology elective.

Criminology Major Requirements

Criminology Major/Minor Course Checklist 2023-2024

Criminology Major/Minor Course Checklist 2024-2025

A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or higher is required for regular admission to the criminology major. The Department will accept the grade of C in required and elective courses in the Criminology major but requires that the student maintains a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in courses applied to the Criminology major. Courses taken for CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to major requirements.

A sociology major may not also major in criminology. Criminology majors may not minor in sociology or social welfare without and approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor.

Students must complete 34 hours of course work in criminology, 28 hours core, including one race-centered coures and 6 hours of pertinent electives as advised. Generally, students should follow core courses in sequence, beginning with 1000-level requirements, proceeding to 2000-level requirements, and so on.

Electives: students must choose 6 hours (two courses) from the electives list below or any approved upper division SOCI course. Students may not count the same course as both a core course and an elective. Some upper-division electives require other courses as prerequisites. The Department will accept the grade of C (2.0)in required and elective Criminology courses as counting toward graduation and requires that the student achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in the Criminology major or minor and a 2.00 overall grade point average. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses completed is required for regular admission to the Criminology major.

Criminology Minor Requirements 

Criminology Major/Minor Course Checklist 2023-2024

Criminology Major/Minor Course Checklist 2024-2025

Sociology majors may not minor in criminology without a special approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor. Note that any course applied toward the total hours of one major or minor may not also be applied toward the total credit hours of another major or minor. When a major or minor have courses that overlap with one another or with another major or minor, students are required to take additional course(s), as approved by the sociology undergraduate advisor.

The Department will accept the grade of C in required and elective courses in the criminology minor but requires that the student achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Courses taken CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to criminology minor requirements.

Students must complete 21 hours of coursework in criminology - 15 hours in specific coursework and 6 hours of pertinent electives. Students may not count the same course as both a core criminology course and an elective. Please see the worksheet for course requirements.