Undergraduate Major in Criminology
As a scientific discipline, Criminology emerged 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 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.
Core Required Coursework (23 hours)
CRIM 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRIM 199 Collete & Careers in Criminology (1 hour)
SOCL 300 Using Statistics in Sociology
SOCL 301 Social Statistics Lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302 Strategies of Social Research
SOCL 309 Social Deviance
CRIM 330 Criminology
One of the following Correlates Electives
CRIM 332 Juvenile Delinquency
CRIM 361 Race, Class, and Crime
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime, and Justice
One of the following Systems of Social Control Electives
CRIM 340 Criminal Courts &
Sentencing
CRIM 370 Issues in Policing
CRIM 380 Punishment & Society
CRIM 430 Comparative Systems of
Juvenile Justice
CRIM 432 Sociology of Criminal Law
PS 328 Criminal Justice Procedures
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 238 Victimology & Victim Advocacy
CRIM 346 Special Topics in Criminology
CRIM 361 Race, Class, and Crime
CRIM 370 Issues in Policing
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 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
PHIL 211 Why are bad people Bad
PHIL 427 Philosphy of the Law
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
PLS 225 Introduction to Law
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.
This 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.
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