Criminology BA, Criminal Justice MA

BA Degree Requirements

Program Learning Objectives for BA Criminology

At the conclusion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Explain major criminological paradigms and theories.
Apply major crime policies.
Apply basic research methods in criminology.
Explain the fundamentals of criminal justice system.

Major Requirements (36 – 45 credits plus 9 dual credits)

Six credits from the MAJOR may be applied towards General Education Requirements.

Required Major courses (16 credits)

CMLGY1201 Introduction to Sociology
CMLGY1306 Introduction to Crime & Criminology
CMLGY2203 Research Methods in Criminology
CMLGY2307 Social Deviance
CMLGY3309 Policy Analysis
CMLGY3997 Internship in Criminology (See Criminology Internships)

Major Elective courses (12-21 credits)

NOTE: Students must take a minimum of 18 electives, 12 of these credits used be drawn from Criminology or designated Sociology courses, with at least 6 additional credits drawn from designated courses from at least two of the following fields: ANTH, GEOG, GOVT, PSYC, HIST. Please see department advisor for approved list of courses.

CMLGY3998 Internship in Criminology

The elective courses vary by semester, but some of the options include the following:

CMLGY2300 Wrongful Convictions
CMLGY2503 Crime & Media
CMLGY3012 Crisis Intervention
CMLGY3030 Surveillance and Security
CMLGY3301 Women and Crime
CMLGY3308 Law & Society
CMLGY2317 Probation & Parole
CMLGY2333 Criminal Law
CMLGY3205 Responses to Mass Violence
CMLGY3310 Juvenile Delinquency

Dual courses (9 credits) (3.0 GPA Required)

Graduate courses applied to undergraduate degree. Two courses to count as Major Elective courses, one course to count as a Free Elective.

CRIM60__ or 70__(3 credits)
CRIM60__ or 70__(3 credits)
CRIM60__ or 70__(3 credits)

Minors and Free Electives

Six credits from the MINOR may be applied towards

Program Outcomes for MA Criminal Justice

Knowledge and Understanding: Consistent with and in addition to the criteria established by the Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences (ACJS), students will acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of administration of justice; U.S. Constitution, U.S. government, political system, and public policy; corrections; criminological theory; law adjudication; law enforcement; and research and analytic methods.

Critical Thinking: Students will learn and demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving by selecting and organizing information, identifying assumptions and causal relationships, distinguish between verifiable facts and value claims, determine the credibility of sources, distinguish between warranted or unwarranted reasons or conclusions, detect biases, and evaluate appropriate problem solving strategies, their feasibility and efficacy.

Effective Communication: Students will be able to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally, the conventions of the English language in a clear, concise, articulate, literate, and professional manner consistent with those of college writing and those specific to the discipline of law and criminal justice.

Information and Technological Literacy: Students will be able to demonstrate information literacy and technological competency utilizing the most current computer-based library computer systems and academic databases, governmental resources, and other bono-fide informational resources to facilitate the study of criminal justice and criminology.

Ethical and Professional Behavior: Students will learn to identify, evaluate, assess, and employ appropriate legal, ethical, and professional behaviors and practices within all aspects of their life, including, but not limited to an academic and criminal justice environment.

MA Degree Requirements

Twenty seven additional graduate credits to complete MA degree

Required Courses (18 credits)

CRIM6000 Professional Seminar in Criminal Justice
CRIM6005 Advanced Criminological Theory
CRIM6010 U.S. Constitution, Public Policy and Criminal Justice
CRIM6015 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology
CRIM6020 Statistics and Data Analysis
CRIM8000 Critical Analysis of Criminal Justice

Professional Seminar in Criminal Justice (CRIM 6000) must be taken within a student’s first 3-9 credits of graduate courses. It is recommended that students take Statistics and Data Analysis (CRIM 6020) before taking Research Methods (CRIM 6015)

Graduate Elective courses (9 credits)

Students can choose three courses from any of the following courses in fulfilling their remaining 9 credits. All elective course selections must be made in consultation with the academic advisor.