Criminology

The criminology major introduces you to the complexities of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, prisons and rehabilitation opportunities.

Preparing You for Success

You learn both the theoretical and practical concerns of crime and justice. Courses explore the root causes of crime and the best ways society and its systems can address concerns. The major gives you a broad background in history, sociology, political science and other fields as you examine topics such as criminal law, diversity, ethics, psychology and violence.

By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:

• An internship with the U.S. Marshall’s office, a prison, local police, county courts or other agencies
• Research with classmates and faculty
• Networking and career development through the Criminal Justice Students Organization

Making Your Mark

Criminology majors are equipped for any branch of the justice system. Recent graduates have found jobs as law enforcement officers and administrators for the F.B.I, Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service. Graduates have also found careers as correctional counselors and educators, victim and witness advocates, juvenile justice counselors, judges and policy analysts. Others attended graduate school at DePaul University and St. Louis University before pursuing careers.

Major Requirements

Required Courses - 45 hrs. (36 hrs. Core + 6 hrs. Elective A + 3 hrs. Elective B)

Core Courses - 36 hours

• CRM 110: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System - 3 hrs.
• CRM 225: Criminal Law - 3 hrs.
• CRM 250: Police Organization and Administration - 3 hrs.
• HIS 201: Violence, Crime, and Punishment in U.S. History - 3 hrs.
• PLS 105: Introduction to American Government - 3 hrs.
• SOC 100: The Sociological Perspective - 3 hrs.
• PLS 209: Scope and Methods of Political Science - 3 hrs.
  or SOC: 240 Research Methods - 3 hrs.
• HIS 309: History of U.S. Law Enforcement - 3 hrs.
• PLS 360: Judicial Politics - 3 hrs.
• PLS 419: Introduction to Public Administration - 3 hrs.
  or PLS 420: Public Management - 3 hrs.
• SOC 330: Perspectives on Deviance - 3 hrs.
• PLS 480: Internship in Political Science - 1-6 hrs.
  or SOC 391: Internship in Applied Sociology - 1-3 hrs.
  and SOC 392: Internship in Applied Sociology - 1-3 hrs.

Elective Group A (choose two) - 6 hours

• SOC 331: Correctional Policies and Society - 3 hrs.
• SOC 332: Juvenile Delinquency - 3 hrs.
• SOC 333: Sociology of Violence - 3 hrs.
• SOC 334: Crime and Society - 3 hrs.
• SOC 390: Topics in Sociology - 3 hrs.

Elective Group B (choose one) - 3 hours

• SOC 302: The Sociology of Diversity - 3 hrs.
• SOC 312: Social Inequality - 3 hrs.
• SOC 313: Race, Ethnicity and Power - 3 hrs.
• SOC 342: Social Policy - 3 hrs.

Strongly Recommended Electives (not required)

• CRM 130: Introduction to Investigation - 3 hrs.
• CRM 230: Introduction to Computer Forensics - 3 hrs.
• CRM 301: Theories of Crime and Justice - 3 hrs.
• CRM 303: American Urban History - 3 hrs.
• CRM 330: Advanced Computer Forensics - 3 hrs.
• CRM 360: Drugs and Crime - 3 hrs.
• CRM 380: Topics in Crime, Law, and Justice - 3 hrs.
• CRM 401: Ethics, Crime, and Criminal Justice - 3 hrs.
• PLS 440: Public Policy Analysis - 3 hrs.
• PLS 422: Urban Politics - 3 hrs.
• PLS 459: Constitutional Law - 3 hrs.
• PLS 460: Constitutional Law - 3 hrs.
• SOC 322: Self and Social Interaction - 3 hrs.
• SOC 340: Demography and Urban Studies - 3 hrs.