Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

The criminology major focuses on the social roots and implications of criminal behavior and the operation of the criminal justice system. Students learn to apply the theoretical and methodological tools of sociology to make sense of crime and social control in modern society, while selecting from a variety of substantive course topics. These include but are not limited to: juvenile delinquency, street crime and gangs, corporate and white collar crime, hate crime, terrorism, drug use and abuse, media and crime, the culture of police work, and punishment and social control. The sociological approach to crime distinguishes criminology from the related field of criminal justice, which emphasizes the procedural activities of criminal justice agencies. Criminology treats crime as the product of complex social forces, seeking to understand why laws are made in the first place, how and why these laws are violated, and how society responds when laws are broken. This holistic societal perspective prepares graduates to pursue a broad range of careers such as policing, security, corrections, law, social services, and business. The major also prepares students for graduate studies in the social sciences in pursuit of academic or applied research careers or for professional training in law, public administration, social work, and related fields. Major Learning Goals Students graduating with a BA in Criminology will have the ability to: Describe the sociological approach to crime and social control and how it is similar to and different from other approaches. Describe the history and core components of the American criminal justice system (police, corrections, and courts), and provide examples of ways that society shapes and is shaped by these institutions. Discuss how criminological theories and research contribute to our understanding of crime, victimization, and the criminal justice system and to contemporary public policy. Apply ethical principles to the conduct of criminological research and the applications of its findings. Critically analyze contemporary issues in crime and justice by retrieving and synthesizing appropriate information and evidence and identifying implications for research and practice/policy. Demonstrate effective, clear and persuasive communication skills according to disciplinary conventions Careers Business Corrections Law Law Enforcement Security Social Services