Criminology: Community Engagement Concentration, Bachelor of Science
The community engagement concentration in criminology provides students an opportunity to connect criminological knowledge and methods learned in the classroom to the surrounding community. Students will work closely with a faculty mentor and community-based organizations to learn job skills and create an advocacy project to create positive and meaningful change.
Students will complete the three core criminology courses (9 credits) plus three community engagement core courses (7 credits). Additionally, they will complete 21 credits of criminology electives, including at least 12 credits of upper division electives.
Student Learning Outcomes
- A comprehension of and the ability to critically assess and compare the major criminological theoretical perspectives.
- Apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the gathering and analysis of criminological data and recognize common methodologies used in criminological literature.
- An ability to apply criminological theories and methods to substantive issues and in order to understand social problems and inform crime-related social policy.
- An ability to engage in critical thinking about various aspects of social life and organization, including crime and criminal justice institutions.
- Be able to communicate criminological knowledge in a clear and effective manner.
Outcomes Assessment Activities
- Student learning outcomes assessed in community engagement core courses.
Specific Program Requirements
Program Overview1
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 35 |
| Core Requirements | 9 |
| Concentration Requirements | 7 |
| Major Electives | 21 |
| Minor or Certificate | 18 |
| Open Electives | 30 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
- 1
Inclusive of a minimum of 40 upper division credits.
Specific Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 101 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 205 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CRIM 310 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Specific Concentration Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 388 | Community Engagement | 3 |
| SOC 388L | Community Engagement Lab | 1 |
| SOC 498 | Internship | 3 |
| Total Credits | 7 | |
Specific Elective Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Criminology Electives for Major 12 credits must be upper division. | 21 | |
| The Criminal Justice System | 3 | |
| Understanding Lived Experiences | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cannabis Studies & Science | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 1-3 | |
| Deviance | 3 | |
| Race and Crime | 3 | |
| Women & Crime | 3 | |
| Delinquency and Juvenile Justice | 3 | |
| Cross-Cultural Perspective on Crime | 3 | |
| Crime Mapping with GIS in Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Punishment & Corrections | 3 | |
| Immigration | 3 | |
| Youth Justice: Alternatives to Incarceration | 3 | |
| Advanced Cannabis Studies | 3 | |
| Crime in Film | 3 | |
| Crime & Society in Science Fiction | 3 | |
| Community Intervention: Evidence-Based Practices | 3 | |
| Crime, Law, & Justice Studies | 3 | |
| Law & Society | 3 | |
| Human Trafficking | 3 | |
| Family Violence | 3 | |
| Victimology | 3 | |
| Elite Crime & Deviance | 3 | |
| Police and Society | 3 | |
| Patterns of Homicide | 3 | |
| Crime, Drugs, & Social Policy | 3 | |
| Terrorism and Mass Murder | 3 | |
| Gangs in Contemporary America | 3 | |
| Collective Violence and Rioting | 3 | |
| Hate Crimes | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 1-3 | |
| Research | 1-3 | |
| Independent Study | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Specific Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 7 credit hours of community engagement coursework is required for the concentration. All criminology majors will work with a faculty advisor who will assist in the selection of courses to complete academic requirements.
- Students must earn a grade of C or higher in any class counted toward the major.
- Majors will select a certificate or minor in consultation with a faculty advisor.
- Electives accepted toward the major can include a maximum of 6.0 credit hours of anthropology and/or sociology, if approved by a criminology faculty advisor.
- Criminology majors may use SOC 101 as a general education social science requirement.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education 6 credits of Humaniities & History | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| CRIM 101 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| General Education recommended - Humanities, Math, & Science w/lab (CHEM 160 or other) | 10 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRIM 205 | Research Methods | 3 |
| General Education recommended - Social Science & Science w/lab (ANTH 101 or other) | 7 | |
| Major elective criminology class | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CRIM 310 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| Major electives criminology classes | 6 | |
| Open electives 3 credits must be outside major | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 388 | Community Engagement | 3 |
| SOC 388L | Community Engagement Lab | 1 |
| Major elective upper division criminology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 3 credits must be upper division, 3 credits must be outside the major | 6 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 498 | Internship | 3 |
| Major elective upper division criminology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 6 credits must be upper division, 3 credits must be outside the major | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major elective upper division criminology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 6 credits must be upper division, 6 credits must be outside the major | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major elective upper division criminology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 3 credits must be upper division, 3 credits must be outside the major | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |