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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.

 

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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 108 Grise Hall 270-745-2259 holli.drummond@wku.edu	Dr. Roderick Jones 119 Grise Hall 270-745-3466 roderick.jones@wku.edu	Dr. James Kanan 112 Grise Hall 270-745-2404 james.kanan@wku.edu
Dr. Matt Pruitt 127 Grise Hall 270-745-2376 matt.pruitt@wku.edu	Dr. Carrie Trojan 117 Grise Hall 270-745-2645 carrie.trojan@wku.edu	Dr. Pavel Vasiliev 104 Grise Hall 270-745-2152 pavel.vasiliev@wku.edu