Criminology Major
As a scientific discipline, Criminology arose directly from the field of sociology. Core sociological concepts inform explanations of crime and society’s response to it. WKU’s Bachelor’s program in Criminology, the only one in Kentucky, provides students with the opportunity to understand the theoretical principles which guide practical solutions to issues associated with offending, victimization, and interactions with the Criminal Justice System. Compared with traditional criminal justice programs, Criminology has a strong interdisciplinary focus. Our program continues this tradition by studying crime through a societal lens as we examine theoretical explanations, policy developments, and the broader implications of solutions on the health and wellbeing of communities and society.
What Can You Do With A Major In Criminology?
Employment opportunities for graduates from the Criminology major program are expected
to grow at a better than average rate over the next decade. The need for qualified
graduates in Criminology is apparent in the recent growth of Criminology major programs.
The interdisciplinary and research-centered focus of the program will allow graduates
to seek employment in a variety of vocations, including occupations within the Criminal
Justice System, social services, nonprofit, governmental and public and private research
agencies at the local, state, national or international level. The program will also
prepare students for graduate study. Courses are available during the traditional
spring and fall semester, online, during the summer and winter terms, and through
independent learning.
Required Coursework (22 hours)
CRIM 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)*
SOCL 300 Using Statistics in Sociology (3 hours)*
SOCL 302 Strategies of Social Research (3 hours)*
SOCL 309 Social Deviance (3 hours)*
CRIM 330 Criminology (3 hours)*
CRIM 332 Juvenile Delinquency (3 hours)*
CRIM 380 Penology (3 hours)*
CRIM 499 Senior Seminar (1 hour)
Elective Coursework (12 hours)
ANTH 300 Forensic Anthropology
CHEM 111 Intro to Forensic Chemistry
CHEM 430 Forensic Chemistry
CRIM 222 Introduction to Crime Mapping
CRIM 232 Introduction to Law Enforcement*
CRIM 233 Alternatives to Confinement
CRIM 234 Crime and Popular Culture
CRIM 346 Special Topics in Criminology
CRIM 361 Race, Class, and Crime
CRIM 430 Comparative Systems of Juvenile Justice
CRIM 432 Sociology of Criminal Law
CRIM 434 Organized Crime
CRIM 437 The Death Penalty in America
CRIM 438 Victimology*
CRIM 439 Internship in Criminology
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime & Justice
CRIM 447 Life-Course Criminology
CRIM 448 International Justice and Crime
CRIM 451 White Collar Crime
CRIM 456 Homicide and Serial Homicide
CRIM 489 Criminology Study Abroad
HIST 445 American Legal History to 1865
HIST 446 American Legal History Since 1865
SOCL 359 Sexuality and Society
SOCL 389 Stigma and Society
SOCL 435 Family Violence*
PH 165 Drug Abuse*
PH 467 Drug Abuse Education
PH 472 Illicit Drug Policy in the US
PS 220 Judicial Process*
PS 326 Constitutional Law
PS 328 Criminal Justice
PS 350 Political Terrorism
PSY/PSYS 440 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 441 Aspects of Alcoholism
PSY 470 Psychology and the Law
SWRK 356 Services to Juvenile Offenders
Primary Contacts for the Criminology Program:
Dr. Holli Drummond |
Dr. Roderick Jones |
Dr. James Kanan |
Dr. Matt Pruitt |
Dr. Carrie Trojan |
Dr. Pavel Vasiliev |
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