The major in Criminology is anchored in the discipline of sociology. Consequently, it provides students with a theoretically sophisticated understanding of crime as a social phenomenon, both regarding its causes and its consequences for society. Coursework in the major encompasses the study of how laws are made (the sociology of law), why some people break those laws (theories of crime), and the societal reaction to law-breaking behavior by the criminal justice system. Students who major in Criminology gain both a broad and deep understanding of the history of the field of criminology as an academic discipline; exposure to the theories of legal creation; knowledge of the sociological, biological, and psychological theories that offer explanations for why people engage in criminal behavior; and an appreciation of how the criminal justice system operates — from the time of arrest by the police, through formal processing by the courts, and extending to sanctioning (incarceration and supervision) and reentry. As a social science with its roots in sociology, the Criminology major emphasizes the central importance of students gaining proficiency in social science research methods and sociological theories.
All students who major in Criminology engage in experiential learning opportunities in agencies and organizations within the criminal justice system or closely allied professions (e.g., victim services agencies). Completion of experiential learning may occur in one of two ways. First, students may complete a two-semester Internship Seminar during their senior year. In addition to completing 100 hours of required internship experience each semester, students design, execute, and present a research project relevant to their field experience. Second, students who wish to begin careers as law enforcement officers prior to completing their undergraduate degree may opt out of the traditional two-semester Internship Seminar requirement and instead complete a Police Academy Seminar under the supervision of a faculty supervisor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. This pathway only applies to those students who have passed the civil service exam and have been accepted into an accredited police academy.
Students who complete the major in Criminology are prepared for graduate study in criminology, criminal justice, related social sciences, and the law. Should graduates aspire to more immediate employment opportunities, the Criminology major prepares them for careers in law enforcement, institutional corrections, probation and parole, in social and human service agencies that deal with crime victims, or in a number of diversion and treatment programs that are designed to provide alternatives to incarceration, especially for juvenile offenders.
- Students are strongly encouraged to switch to an advisor in the department upon declaring the major.
- Students may begin to explore the Criminology major through CRM 130, CRM 160, or any CRM elective course they are eligible to take. First year students are not eligible to take CRM 333 Prisoner Rehabilitation and Reentry or CRM 335 Family Violence.
- At least one structural and cultural factors elective and at least one deviance/law and society elective is offered every semester.
- Other than SOC 121, SOC 122, CRM 130, and CRM 160, all other courses in the department are offered at most once per year. Some electives are not offered in a given year.
- The major is designed for students to take SOC 390 Sociological Research Methods spring of junior year, SOC 300 Statistics and CRM 485 fall of senior year, and CRM 486 spring of senior year. This is the preferred order of the courses and allows for cohorts of majors to bond as a group.
- Many majors take advantage of the accelerated double major with Sociology, which requires only 18 courses to complete both majors.
- Students may take advantage of the special double major Human Services. Interested students must start the double major curriculum their freshman year. All Criminology and Human Services double majors are advised by the chair of the Criminology department in consultation with the Clinical Coordinator in Health and Human Services.
- Few, if any, criminology courses are offered in the summer through Assumption, so Criminology majors should not plan to take courses in the major during the summer.
- To maintain the academic integrity of the major, it is expected that courses for the major will be completed at Assumption. Transfer courses will be reviewed under strict conditions and should be submitted to the department for review before registering for the course.
To What Careers Does a Major in Criminology Lead?
Recent Criminology major alumni are active in careers in business, education, institutional corrections, law, law enforcement, the military, parole, probation, sales, social services, and youth services. Others have or are still pursuing additional education, including degrees in business, counseling psychology, criminal justice, education, homeland security, public administration, school counseling, and social work. Although only a few of our graduates will seek federal employment, the U.S. Department of Justice’s webpage on careers provides a nice overview of some of the federal opportunities in that agency: https://www.justice.gov/careers This page also has helpful information for a wide range of careers in criminal justice system and allied professors, such as victim services: https://www.justice.gov/careers