COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminology degree program provides students with a strong foundation in the study of crime, deviant behavior, social systems, and criminal justice policies while developing analytical, research, and practical professional skills. All students are required to complete the General Education Requirements of their campus in addition to the major requirements. The program includes 18 credits of required courses that introduce students to core criminological concepts and theories. Students begin with Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to Crime and Criminology, which examine the structure of society, causes of crime, criminal behavior, and social responses to deviance. Research Methods in Criminology develops skills in data collection, analysis, and evidence-based research used to evaluate crime trends and criminal justice policies. Social Deviance explores behaviors that violate social norms and examines how societies define and respond to deviant conduct. Policy Analysis focuses on the evaluation of criminal justice policies, legal reforms, and social programs related to crime prevention and public safety. Students also complete an Internship in Criminology, which provides practical field experience and professional exposure within criminal justice, social service, or policy-related settings. In addition to the required courses, students complete 18 credits of elective courses that allow them to explore specialized areas of criminology and criminal justice according to their interests and career goals. Elective options may include courses such as Wrongful Convictions, which examines miscarriages of justice and legal reform; Crime and Media, which studies the relationship between crime, public perception, and mass media; Crisis Intervention, focusing on emergency response and conflict management; and Surveillance and Security, which explores modern security systems and monitoring practices. Other electives examine topics such as Women and Crime, Law and Society, Probation and Parole, Criminal Law, Responses to Mass Violence, and Juvenile Delinquency. Through this combination of theoretical study, policy analysis, research training, and practical internship experience, the program prepares graduates for careers in law enforcement, criminal investigations, victim advocacy, corrections, social services, public policy, homeland security, and related fields, while also providing strong preparation for graduate studies and law school.