Criminology/Sociology Double Major, Bachelor of Arts

The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology offers a double major in Sociology and Criminology. The double major gives students the opportunity to specialize in two related fields and explore the disciplines of sociology and criminology in a highly complementary manner. The program provides excellent preparation for students considering careers and/or advanced study in areas such as criminology, sociology, criminal justice, law, law enforcement, public health, program development and evaluation, community advocacy, business, non-profit administration, research, and social services. The program requirements for the double major and all university-level requirements can be completed in four years.

Students who earn the double major will have the opportunity to develop proficiency with a range of theoretical and methodological tools used by both Criminologists and Sociologists, allowing them to think critically about the structural nature and complexities of social inequality and justice. As social sciences, both disciplines share common methods and many of the same theoretical concerns. Examples include the social construction of deviance; the impact of crime and crime control on communities; the law as a social phenomenon; the organization and functions of each component of the criminal legal system; and the general social, political, and economic frameworks of society that influence the nature and perception of social problems, including crime and social control.

Double majors can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

For a BA degree, double majors must complete all the major degree requirements. In addition, students must complete the world language requirement as specified in the Academic Policies section of the University Catalog. This requirement includes completion of the second level of a world language or completion of WL 100 Intro to Comparative Linguistics (3 credit hours) and ANTH 106 Language, Thought & Culture (3 credit hours)/ENG 106 Language, Thought & Culture (3 credit hours.), or completion of the second level of American Sign Language.

Student Learning Outcomes

A comprehension of and the ability to critically assess and compare major theoretical perspectives in sociology and criminology.
An ability to understand, interpret, and apply various research methodologies in the fields of sociology and criminology.
Facility in applying sociological and criminological theories and methods to substantive issues and in order to understand social problems and inform social policy.
Engagement in critical thinking about various aspects of social life and organization, including crime and criminal justice institutions.
A critical understanding of social diversity and the implications of race, gender, sexuality, and class for interpersonal and group interaction in contemporary society.

Specific Program Requirements

Program Overview

Program Overview
Requirement	Credits
General Education	35
Major Requirements	66
Open Electives	19
Total Credits	120

General Education

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
University General Education Requirements ^{including BA language requirement}		35

Specific Major Requirements

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 101	Introduction to Criminology	3
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3)	3
CRIM/SOC 205	Research Methods	3
CRIM 310	Criminological Theory	3
or SOC 310	Social & Cultural Theory
Electives		54
Select 54 credit hours of Criminology or Sociology electives. ¹
Total Credits		66

¹: 27 credits must be CRIM courses, and 27 credits must be SOC courses. Exceptions may be approved by faculty advisor. CRIM/SOC cross-listed classes must be counted as either a CRIM elective or SOC elective. No class can be double-counted.

Specific Major Electives

A total of 54 credit hours of electives are required for the major, including a minimum of 36 credit hours of upper-division electives.

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
Major Electives ^{Select from the following:}		54
CRIM 203	The Criminal Justice System	3
CRIM 212	The Forensics of Bones	3
CRIM 261	Introduction to Cannabis Studies & Science	3
CRIM 291	Special Topics	1-3
CRIM 304	Race and Crime	3
CRIM 305	Women & Crime	3
CRIM 306	Delinquency and Juvenile Justice	3
CRIM 321	Cross-Cultural Perspective on Crime	3
CRIM 353	Punishment & Corrections	3
CRIM 361	Advanced Cannabis Studies	3
CRIM 374	Crime in Film	3
CRIM 376	Crime & Society in Science Fiction	3
CRIM 401	Crime, Law, & Justice Studies	3
CRIM 407	Family Violence	3
CRIM 409	Victimology	3
CRIM 410	Elite Crime & Deviance	3
CRIM 411	Police and Society	3
CRIM 413	Patterns of Homicide	3
CRIM 415	Forensic Criminology	3
CRIM 418	Crime, Drugs, & Social Policy	3
CRIM 422	Terrorism and Mass Murder	3
CRIM 425	Gangs in Contemporary America	3
CRIM 426	Collective Violence and Rioting	3
CRIM 455	Hate Crimes	3
CRIM 492	Research (CREDITS VARY)	1-3
CRIM 453	Inside Out: Issues in Crime & Justice	3
CRIM 494	Field Experience (CREDITS VARY)	1-12
CRIM 495	Independent Study (CREDITS VARY)	1-3
SOC 105	Understanding Human Diversity	3
SOC 201	Social Problems (GT-SS1)	3
SOC 231	Marriage & Family Relationships	3
SOC 248	Environmental Sociology	3
SOC 252	Understanding Lived Experiences	3
SOC 291	Special Topics	1
SOC 302	Collective Behavior and Social Movements	3
SOC 303	Deviance	3
SOC 312	Soc on the Fringe Cults & Conspiracy Theories	3
SOC 314	Religion, Culture and Society	3
SOC 315	Health, Culture, and Society	3
SOC 316	Age, Culture and Society	3
SOC 324	Race & Ethnic Relations	3
SOC 325	Gender And Society	3
SOC 326	Social Stratification	3
SOC 334	Sociology of the Military	3
SOC 352	Social Psychology	3
SOC 357	Immigration	3
SOC 370	Popular Culture	3
SOC 373	Film & Society	3
SOC 378	Rock 'n' Roll and Rebellion	3
SOC 388	Community Engagement	3
SOC 388L	Community Engagement Lab	1
SOC 404	Poverty and Inequality in the U.S.	3
SOC 405	Law & Society	3
SOC 408	Science, Technology, and The Future	3
SOC 428	Women & Work	3
SOC 432	Organizational Theory & Behavior	3
SOC 435	Interviewing for Research	3
SOC 450	Soc of Mental Health and Suicide	3
SOC 452	The Individual & Society	3
SOC 490	Special Projects	1
SOC 491	Special Topics	1
SOC 492	Research	1
SOC 494	Field Experience	1
SOC 495	Independent Study	1
SOC 498	Internship	3
Open Electives		19
Total Credits		73

Specific Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses counting toward the major.

A minor is not required, but sociology & criminology double majors are encouraged to select a certificate or minor in consultation with a faculty advisor.

SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology, cannot be used to fulfill a general education social science requirement.

Students must fulfill the University language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing one of the following:

1. ANTH/ENG 106 Language, Thought and Culture (3 credit hours ) and WL 100 Intro to Comparative Linguistics (3 credit hours), or

2. ASL 101 (3 credit hours) and ASL 102 Beginning American Sign Language II (3 credit hours), or

3. Completion of the second level of a world language (course number 102).

For International students, ENG 101 Rhetoric & Writing I (3.0 credit hours) and ENG 102 Rhetoric & Writing II (3.0 c.h.) fulfill the World Language 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.

Plan of Study Grid
Course	Title	Credits
Year 1
Fall
ENG 101	Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1)	3
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3)	3
General Education		10
	Credits	16
Spring
ENG 102	Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2)	3
CRIM 101	Introduction to Criminology	3
General Education		10
	Credits	16
Year 2
Fall
General Education		9
CRIM 205	Research Methods ^{or SOC 205}	3
Major elective ^{criminology or sociology class}		3
	Credits	15
Spring
CRIM 310	Criminological Theory ^{or SOC 310}	3
Major electives ^{6.0 credits criminology classes, 6.0 credits sociology classes}		12
	Credits	15
Year 3
Fall
Major electives ^{criminology and sociology classes, 9.0 credits must be upper division}		12
Open elective		3
	Credits	15
Spring
Major electives ^{upper division criminology and sociology classes}		12
Open elective		3
	Credits	15
Year 4
Fall
Major electives ^{upper division criminology & sociology classes}		9
Open electives		5
	Credits	14
Spring
Major electives ^{upper division criminology & sociology classes}		6
Open electives		8
	Credits	14
	Total Credits	120

2025-2026 Catalog

Academic Catalog