Criminology (B.A./B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Katie Derrick, Professional Advisor
School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies
Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies 110
605-688-6296

Program Information

Criminology is the study of crime as a complex and multi-layered social phenomenon including its causes and consequences. Criminologists explore criminal behavior and societies’ responses to crime. Without a clear understanding of why people commit crime, society cannot effectively rehabilitate criminals. The theoretical aspects of criminology encompass the research design and philosophy of science components of evidence-based science. The program focuses on the scientific research and evaluation processes that generate evidence to support improved practice in the field, to address the underlying methodological and structural components of crime and criminality, and to bolster criminal justice processes. The Criminology major will prepare students interested in a variety of careers related to crime and the control of crime as well as others more focused on the study of criminality.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework for the program is delivered in multiple formats including face-to-face lecture and online courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate police response to incidents including the use of force continuum.
Students will be able to frame criminological research in terms of the scientific method.
Students will be able to critically evaluate and analyze criminological data.
Students will be able to critically evaluate potential outcomes of policy changes on policing, courts and/or corrections.
Students will exhibit communication skills as evidenced in written/oral assessments.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of foundational principles of and theoretical perspectives in criminology and criminal justice.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the needs/challenges faced by underserved populations through cross-cultural competency.

Academic Requirements

Students must earn a “C” or better in courses in the major and maintain at least a 2.20 cumulative GPA. Students pursuing the Criminology major are not eligible for the Criminal Justice minor.

Requirements for Criminology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences:
SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 6+

Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

CJUS 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
CJUS 431 - Criminal Law (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
SOC 283 - Working with Diverse Populations Credits: 3
or SOC 350 - Race and Ethnic Relations (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 307 - Research Methods I (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 308 - Research Methods II (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 351 - Criminology (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 400 - Social Policy (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 460 - Advanced Criminology (COM) Credits: 3 (Capstone)

Select from the following

Select twelve credits from the following list. Credits: 12

CJUS 203 - Policing in a Free Society (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 334 - Criminal Investigation (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 338 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3
CJUS 412 - Criminal Prosecution and Defense (COM) Credits: 3
CJUS 416 - Drugs and Society Credits: 3
CJUS 436 - Juvenile Justice (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 325 - Domestic and Intimate Violence (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 354 - Victimology (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 382 - The Family (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 402 - Social Deviance (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 440 - Urban Sociology (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 455 - Juvenile Delinquency (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 456 - Community Corrections (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts
System General Education Requirements*	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements**	6+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	39 Credit Hours
Electives***	45 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements**	10+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	39 Credit Hours
Electives***	48 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
***Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.