COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminology program at DePaul University offers a structured curriculum designed to help students understand crime, justice systems, and the social factors that influence public safety and legal responses.Students begin with foundational courses such as Criminal Behavior, where they explore theories explaining why individuals engage in crime, and Criminal Law and Procedure, which introduces the legal framework governing the criminal justice system. These courses build a strong understanding of how laws are applied and enforced.The curriculum also includes specialized subjects like Crime Prevention, which focuses on strategies to reduce crime through policy and community-based approaches, and Victimology, which examines the experiences and needs of crime victims within the justice system.Students gain practical and analytical insight through Criminal Investigations, where they study investigative methods used by law enforcement, and Forensic Science, which introduces scientific techniques used to analyze physical evidence in criminal cases.Juvenile Justice explores how the justice system responds to youth crime, emphasizing rehabilitation and legal protections for minors. Additionally, Race, Class, Gender and the Criminal Legal System encourages critical analysis of how social inequalities influence experiences within the justice system.Overall, the coursework equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to understand crime from multiple perspectives and prepares them for careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, policy, social services, and related fields.