Criminology Major

Chair: Allison Ann Payne, Ph.D.
Program Director: Heidi Grundetjen, Ph.D.
Office Location: Saint Augustine Center, Room 204
Telephone: (610) 519-4786
Website

About

Criminology is the study of crime and delinquency and their prevention and control, and strives to investigate, understand, and solve social problems related to crime, law, punishment, and justice. The major in Criminology is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the social control systems of a society, such as the justice system. Students learn about crime causation, the origins and nature of criminal laws, the structure and operation of criminal justice, and competing ideologies and philosophies of justice. This program will educate students in diverse theories exploring the many social dimensions of crime and the effectiveness (and implications) of current criminal justice policies.

PRIMARY MAJOR (122 credits)

Required Major Courses (33 credits)

The Major consists of 33 credits. One of the Criminology electives for the Major can be satisfied by an internship for credit with approval from the Program Director, provided that the student has at least 15 credits toward the Major.

Program Notes:

  • A student taking an internship in a field setting in the second semester of their junior year or during their senior year should consult with the Program Director.
Course
Title
Credits
15
3
Sub-Total Credits
33

Core Curriculum Requirements (38 credits)

Criminology Majors meet the following core requirements in the major and therefore are omitted from the summary below: 

  • Social Sciences (6 cr) - met by CRM 1000, CRM 5100
Course
Title
Credits
3
8
3
3
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
38

Free Elective Requirement (51 credits)

Students with a Criminology primary major have fifty-one (51) required free elective credits. 

Degree Credit Summary

  • Major Credits: 33 credits
  • Core Credits: 38 credits
  • Free Electives Credits: 51 credits
  • Total Required Credits: 122 Credits

Note: The above credit totals are based on the minimum number of required credits in each degree area. The minimum number of required credits in each area listed above must be met. Credits taken beyond the required minimum for one area may not be applied to another area. 

SECONDARY MAJOR

Students who declare Criminology as a secondary major must complete the Required Major Courses to achieve this major. Students are able to count any eligible course taken in their primary major, the core curriculum, minors, concentrations, or free electives toward these requirements.