Criminology Track of the Sociology Major
The criminology track of the sociology major encourages a critical exploration of criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. The program is appropriate for students interested in research or public policy issues related to crime and criminal justice. The track is also suitable for students who may seek employment opportunities in law enforcement, criminal law, the corrections system, and other government and nonprofit agencies that provide services or resources for individuals involved in the criminal justice system and their families.
Criminology Track Requirements — 36 credit hours
Required Courses — 24 credit hours
Students may substitute SOC 499 (Thesis) for SOC 498, Senior Project Seminar. This option requires the student to secure faculty approval of the thesis proposal before the student begins their final year of study. Students are encouraged to complete a criminology internship (SOC 497C) during the junior or senior year.
Additional upper-division hours in sociology (or relevant out-of-department courses) - 12 credit hours
In recognition of the interdisciplinary character of the study of criminology, students in the criminology track may take any two of the following out-of-department courses in partial fulfillment of the 12 additional upper-division sociology credit hours requirement:
| POL 346 | Constitutional Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| PSY 381 | Psychological Perspectives on Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY 391 | Seminar | Variable |
| PSY 470 | Psychology of Aggression | 3 |
PSY 391: Seminar may be taken only when the topic is Forensic Psychology.
At least 6 of the 12 upper-division elective credit hours must be taken from SOC 430-439 or SOC 491-492.
Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
Total Credit Hours: 120