Criminology/Sociology Double Major, Bachelor of Science
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, business, 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 or a Bachelor of Science degree.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the sociology/criminology double major, students will demonstrate:
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
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CORE REQUIREMENTS | 12 | |
| Introduction to Criminology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 | |
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| 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.
Program 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 | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 203 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIM 212 | The Forensics of Bones | 3 |
| CRIM 261 | Introduction to Cannabis Studies | 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 | Penology | 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 | Structural & Elite Crime | 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 Relation | 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 | Organization Theory | 3 |
| SOC 435 | The Interviewer's Craft | 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 | 1-12 |
| SOC 495 | Independent Study | 1 |
| SOC 498 | Internship | 3 |
Additional Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University General Education Requirements | 35 | |
| Open electives at least 1.0 credit hour upper division to meet university requirement of 40 upper division credit hours | 19 | |
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.
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's 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 | 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 (Major elective) | 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 & sociology classes, 9.0 credits must be upper division | 12 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major electives upper division criminology & 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 | |