Bachelor of Science: Sociology - Criminal Justice Emphasis

Sociology is the science of the human condition, the study of society, and the analysis of social relations. While a major in sociology is useful regardless of career choice, our program also prepares students for a variety of more specialized occupational opportunities in fields such as journalism, social work, corrections, law enforcement, survey research, policy analysis, vocational guidance, counseling, human relations, and personnel management in industry and public health.

For the student with well-defined occupational goals, careful selection of cognates and electives provides the basis of a highly specialized and focused education, directed toward preparation for specific areas of occupation. For the student with loosely defined occupational goals, the major can serve as a broad-based educational experience in which many occupational opportunities can be explored.

The program is also designed to help the highly successful student in the pursuit of graduate work, not only in sociology but in allied fields such as anthropology, criminology, law, education, history, social work, political science, public health, journalism, communications and public administration.

Criminal Justice Emphasis

The criminal justice emphasis requires the sociology core courses, 18 semester hours of criminal justice requirements, and 6 additional semester hours of upper level (300 or 400 level) sociology electives. An internship in the criminal justice or related field (490), though not required, is highly recommended.

In addition to the sociology program objectives, students in the criminal justice emphasis should:

• Display a comprehensive and scientific understanding of the magnitude and consequences of criminality;
• Examine public attitudes, mandates, and policies in dealing with criminals;
• Be familiar with the origins, functions, and organizations of the criminal justice system; and
• Develop a critical attitude in the analysis, understanding, and interpretation of changes occurring in the criminal justice system.