Major in Criminology & Law Studies
Beyond a thorough study of the criminal justice system and the sources of crime and delinquency, Criminology & Law Studies challenges students to develop critical thinking, professional ethics, and perspective on how the criminal justice system relates to everyday life with the goal of improving implementation of public policy.
The criminal justice system has become an important, modern institution which manages people, property and public resources in a way that could not have been envisioned 20 or 30 years ago. Students completing this major will learn state-of-the-art strategies for managing criminal justice system resources and assets.
Who is it for?
The Criminology & Law Studies degree is ideal for individuals with an interest in all levels of law enforcement, others seeking employment within the justice system (human resources, education, information systems) and pre-law students.
The CRLS major promotes the development of both professional and applied skills. It integrates theory with practice through programming that emphasizes public policy in action, current events, cutting-edge programs that improve employee performance, and examples of best practices in the field. While the the curriculum focuses on justice-related issues, students will find the degree applies equally to areas in the private sector where legal analysis and communication skills are essential.
Careers
Case worker; corrections officer; deputy sheriff; federal, state and local government agencies; forensic investigator; human services administrator; law clerk; litigation assistant; police officer; probation or parole officer; public safety specialist; security agent; victim specialist; youth counselor.
CRLS Major (10 courses, 30 credits)
All Criminology & Law Studies majors are required to take ALL of the following courses:
| CRLS 051 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 152 | Juvenile Delinquency/Juvenile Justice | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 156 | Corrections: Prisons, Probation, and Parole | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 168 | Family Violence and Public Intervention | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 186 | Criminal Law | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 187 | Criminal Procedure | 3 credit hours |
And ONE of the following two courses:
| CRLS 157 | Police and Society | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 159 | Police Organization and Administration | 3 credit hours |
| Total mandatory courses for the major | 21 credit hours |
In addition, majors must choose THREE of the following four courses:
| CRLS 163 | Criminal Violence in America | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 167 | Women, Crime, and Criminal Justice | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 181 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 credit hours |
| CRLS 198 | Special Topics in Criminology and Law | 3 credit hours |
| Total electives for the major | 9 credit hours | |
| Total courses for the major | 30 credit hours |
CRLS Minor (6 courses, 18 credits)
To complete a minor in Criminology & Law Studies, students are required to take:
| CRLS 051 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 credit hours |
| Mandatory course | 3 credit hours |
In addition, CRLS minors are required to take five additional upper division courses (100 and above), for a total of 15 elective credits.
| Mandatory courses for the CRLS minor | 3 credit hours | |
| Elective upperdivision coursework | 15 credit hours | |
| Total coursework for the minor | 18 credit hours |
