Criminology & Criminal Justice, BS
Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice (380001BS)
More on the Criminology & Criminal Justice major
The criminology and criminal justice program prepares students for careers in policing, courts, corrections, and criminology at any level of government or in the private sector. This program is also appropriate for students who desire to pursue graduate or law school. Students will take a broad core of criminal justice courses, and then select courses from concentrations in policing, courts, corrections, or criminology. Students have a number of electives to tailor their degrees to particular career paths of interest.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Criminal Justice Studies and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | 36 | |
Core Requirement | 18 | |
Foundation Requirements | 18-27 | |
Foreign Culture | 6 | |
Concentration Requirement | 18 | |
Additional Credits for Graduation * | 24-15 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
- *
Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.
Recommended General Education Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
Government & Politics in the United States | ||
Introduction to Sociology | ||
Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Introduction to Sociology | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Sociology of Deviant Behavior | ||
Social Inequalities | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops |
Core Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLIT:100 | Government & Politics in the United States | 3 |
CRJU:100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
CRJU:202 | Principles of Criminal Law | 3 |
CRJU:203 | Corrections | 3 |
CRJU:205 | Police Studies | 3 |
SOCIO:100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Total Hours | 18 |
Foundation Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Part I | ||
POLIT:301 | Introduction to Political Research | 3 |
or SOCIO:301 | Social Research Design | |
Part II | ||
POLIT:361 | Politics of the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
POLIT:395 | Internship in Government & Politics 1 | 3 |
or POLIT:497 | Senior Honors Project in Political Science | |
or SOCIO:495 | Field Internship | |
or SOCIO:496 | Senior Honors Project | |
or CRJU:495 | Professional Pathways in Criminal Justice | |
or CRJU:498 | Honors Research in Criminal Justice | |
SOCIO:320 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
SOCIO:330 | Criminology | 3 |
Part III | ||
POLIT:401 | Advanced Topics in Research Methods | 3 |
or POLIT:480 | Policy Problems in Political Science | |
or SOCIO:302 | Data Analysis | |
or SOCIO:401 | Advanced Topics in Research Methods | |
or CRJU:401 | Legal Research and Writing | |
or GEOG:405 | Geographic Information Systems | |
or PSYC:410 | Psychological Tests & Measurements | |
or STAT:360 | Statistical Investigations | |
or STAT:462 | Applied Regression and ANOVA | |
or STAT:465 | Design of Sample Surveys | |
or STAT:466 | Applied Nonparametric Statistical Methods | |
Total Hours | 18 |
- 1
Minimum internship or research requirement is three credit hours.
Foreign Culture
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Foreign Culture 1 | 6 | |
Select at least six credits | ||
Total Hours | 6 |
- 1
At least six credits of coursework which will introduce the student to a foreign culture. Such courses shall be selected from the department approved list.
Concentration Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following concentration areas: | 18 | |
Policing Concentration | ||
CRJU:305 | Policing Administration and Management | 3 |
CRJU:307 | Foundations of Crime Analysis | 3 |
CRJU:405 | Policing Theory and Strategy | 3 |
Complete three courses from the program elective list. The electives requirement may be filled by prior learning assessment or police academy credit (EMHS 201 - 205) | 9 | |
Courts and Law Concentration | ||
POLIT:335 | Law & Society | 3 |
or SOCIO:441 | Sociology of Law | |
POLIT:360 | The Judicial Process | 3 |
or CRJU:404 | Criminal Procedure | |
CRJU:302 | Theory of Criminal Law | 3 |
or CRJU:414 | Evidence Law | |
Complete three courses from the program elective list | 9 | |
Corrections Concentration | ||
SOCIO:431 | Theories and Practices of Correctional Systems | 3 |
or POLIT:450 | Administering Prisons, Probation, and Parole | |
SOCIO:350 | Drugs in Society | 3 |
SOCIO:430 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
Complete three courses from the program elective list | 9 | |
Criminology Concentration | ||
SOCIO:433 | Sociology of Deviant Behavior | 3 |
SOCIO:441 | Sociology of Law | 3 |
or POLIT:335 | Law & Society | |
Complete four courses from the program elective list | 12 |
Program Elective List
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Electives in Criminal Justice Studies | ||
CRJU:302 | Theory of Criminal Law | 3 |
CRJU:305 | Policing Administration and Management | 3 |
CRJU:307 | Foundations of Crime Analysis | 3 |
CRJU:325 | Information Privacy | 3 |
CRJU:386 | Courtroom Proceedings and Testimony | 3 |
CRJU:398 | Police Accountability and Risk Management | 3 |
CRJU:401 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
CRJU:404 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
CRJU:405 | Policing Theory and Strategy | 3 |
CRJU:407 | Advanced Crime Analysis | 3 |
CRJU:414 | Evidence Law | 3 |
CRJU:457 | Crime Analysis Applications | 3 |
CRJU:465 | Crisis & Trauma: Assessments & Interventions | 3 |
CRJU:480 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice | 1-3 |
CRJU:495 | Professional Pathways in Criminal Justice | 3-12 |
CRJU:497 | Independent Study and Research | 1-3 |
CRJU:498 | Honors Research in Criminal Justice | 1-3 |
Electives in Political Science | ||
POLIT:334 | Law, Mediation, and Violence | 3 |
POLIT:335 | Law & Society | 3 |
POLIT:337 | Terrorism: Perpetrators, Politics and Response | 3 |
POLIT:339 | Terrorism and the Constitution | 3 |
POLIT:360 | The Judicial Process | 3 |
POLIT:363 | Crime, Punishment, Politics: A Comparative Perspective | 3 |
POLIT:370 | Public Administrtion: Concepts & Practices | 3 |
POLIT:395 | Internship in Government & Politics | 3 |
POLIT:400 | Political Extremism & Violence | 3 |
POLIT:401 | Advanced Topics in Research Methods | 3-6 |
POLIT:403 | Media, Crime and Public Opinion | 3 |
POLIT:406 | Comparative Constitutional Law | 3 |
POLIT:418 | Weapons of Mass Destruction | 3 |
POLIT:419 | Homeland Security Policy and Process | 3 |
POLIT:443 | Political Scandals & Corruption | 3 |
POLIT:446 | National Security Intelligence | 3 |
POLIT:447 | Counterterrorism | 3 |
POLIT:448 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
POLIT:450 | Administering Prisons, Probation, and Parole | 3 |
POLIT:461 | The Supreme Court & Constitutional Law | 3 |
POLIT:462 | The Supreme Court & Civil Liberties | 3 |
POLIT:481 | The Challenges of Police Work | 3 |
POLIT:482 | Criminal Justice Topic: Current Issues | 3 |
POLIT:483 | Constitutional Problems in Criminal Justice | 3 |
Electives in Sociology | ||
SOCIO:310 | Social Problems | 3 |
SOCIO:324 | Social Movements | 3 |
SOCIO:350 | Drugs in Society | 3 |
SOCIO:360 | Social Effects of Crime in the Media | 3 |
SOCIO:365 | Special Topics in Sociology | 1-3 |
SOCIO:401 | Advanced Topics in Research Methods | 3-6 |
SOCIO:415 | Women in Prison | 3 |
SOCIO:416 | Women and Crime | 3 |
SOCIO:421 | Race & Ethnic Relations | 3 |
SOCIO:428 | Victim in Society | 3 |
SOCIO:430 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
SOCIO:431 | Theories and Practices of Correctional Systems | 3 |
SOCIO:433 | Sociology of Deviant Behavior | 3 |
SOCIO:441 | Sociology of Law | 3 |
SOCIO:450 | Sociology of Mental Illness | 3 |
SOCIO:455 | Family Violence | 3 |
SOCIO:495 | Field Internship | 2-4 |
SOCIO:496 | Senior Honors Project | 1-3 |
Electives in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Police Academy) | ||
EMHS:201 | Police Academy: Administration & Legal | 3 |
EMHS:202 | Police Academy: Homeland Security | 3 |
EMHS:203 | Police Academy: Traffic | 3 |
EMHS:204 | Police Academy: Practicals I | 3 |
EMHS:205 | Police Academy: Practicals II | 3 |
Students interested in pursuing Criminal Justice degrees and certificates come to the University of Akron with a variety of career, training, and life experiences. There are several methods to evaluate prior learning experiences for college credit including credit by exam, prior learning portfolios, and alternative credit for military and professional training. Please contact the Department of Criminal Justice Studies if you are interested in a prior learning assessment. |
Recommended Sequence
THIS PLAN OF STUDY IS INTENDED FOR STUDENTS ADMITTED TO THIS PROGRAM FOR FALL 2017 OR LATER.
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
SOCIO:100 | Introduction to Sociology 3 | 3 |
CRJU:100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
Speaking Requirement | 3 | |
English Composition I 1 | 3 | |
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement 2 | 4-3 | |
Hours | 16-15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
POLIT:100 | Government & Politics in the United States 3 | 3 |
CRJU:202 | Principles of Criminal Law | 3 |
English Composition II 1 | 3 | |
Natural Science w/ lab Requirement | 4 | |
Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CRJU:203 | Corrections | 3 |
CRJU:205 | Police Studies | 3 |
SOCIO:301 or POLIT:301 | Social Research Design or Introduction to Political Research | 3 |
Natural Science Requirement | 3 | |
Arts/Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
SOCIO:302 | Data Analysis or Policy Problems in Political Science or Advanced Topics in Research Methods or Legal Research and Writing | 3-6 |
SOCIO:320 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
Humanities/Arts Requirement | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15-18 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
SOCIO:330 | Criminology | 3 |
Concentration Requirement 5 | 3 | |
Concentration Elective 5 | 3 | |
Foreign Culture Requirement 6 | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 18 | |
Spring Semester | ||
POLIT:361 | Politics of the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
Concentration Requirement 5 | 3 | |
Concentration Elective 5 | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Concentration Requirement/Elective 5 | 3 | |
Open Elective/Program Elective 4 | 3 | |
Foreign Culture Requirement 6 | 3 | |
Concentration Elective 5 | 3 | |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
POLIT:395 | Internship in Government & Politics or Senior Honors Project in Political Science or Field Internship or Senior Honors Project or Professional Pathways in Criminal Justice or Honors Research in Criminal Justice | 3 |
Open Elective 4 | 3 | |
Open Elective/Program Elective 4 | 4-3 | |
Hours | 10-9 | |
Total Hours | 120-121 |
- 1
ENGL:111 English Composition I and ENGL:112 English Composition II are the recommended classes to meet the General Education Writing requirement. ENGL:222 Technical Report Writing can be used to fulfill the English Composition II requirement.
- 2
While a variety of mathematics and statistics courses can be taken to meet this requirement, it is strongly recommended that students take a statistics course. Students planning on graduate school should take STAT 261 and 262, and a higher level STAT course for the Foundation Part III requirement.
- 3
POLIT:100 Government & Politics in the United States and SOCIO:100 Introduction to Sociology are required and will fulfill the General Education Social Science requirement.
- 4
Open electives can be any course not already required by your major and Upper Level (300/400) electives can be any course in or outside your major excluding workshops.
- 5
For the Criminology and Criminal Justice Degree, students select a concentration area. Each of these requires 18 credits, with 2-3 required courses and 3-4 elective courses from the Program Electives List.
- 6
There is no language requirement for the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree. However, students who complete the first year of a foreign language will fulfill the Foreign Cultures requirement. If students elect not to complete the first year of a foreign language, 6 credits from coursework designed to introduced the student to a foreign culture are required. An approved list of courses is available from the program advisors.