Criminology Major, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Total minimum number of credits required for a major in Criminology leading to the B.A. degree - 120
Total minimum number of credits required for a minor in Criminology - 18

The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers an interdisciplinary major in Criminology. Designed for flexibility and appeal to both the practicing professional and the student seeking admission to graduate school, the program incorporates a variety of carefully chosen courses in sociology, psychology, political science, and economics, such as Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency, Abnormal Behavior, Forensic Psychology, Criminal Law, and the Economics of Crime, leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. Internships in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, and the administration of justice are readily available to eligible students. Credit hours in internships may not be applied to the45 hours required in the major.

Information about the program and about career opportunities in the field may be obtained from the advisor for this program.

Criminology Major

A major in Criminology consists of 44 hours, including introductory courses (12 hours), criminology core courses (20 hours), major electives (9 hours), and a capstone course (3 hours). The 44 hours do not include any prerequisites.

Introductory Courses(12 hours)

PS 233 - Law and Society Credits: 3
EC 102 - Principles of Economics II Credits: 3
PSY 101 - General Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3

Criminology Core Courses (20 hours)

EC 320 - The Economics of Crime Credits: 3
PS 232 - Criminal Law Credits: 3
PSY 352 - Abnormal Behavior Credits: 3
OR
PSY 355 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 222 - Criminology Credits: 3
SOC 309 - Career Mentoring in The Social Sciences Credits: 2
PS 261 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3
OR
SOC 371 - Methods of Research in Sociology Credits: 3
PS 265 - Quantitative Reasoning for The Social Sciences Credits: 3
OR
SOC 370 - Quantitative Reasoning for The Social Sciences Credits: 3

Major Electives (9 hours)

PS 332 - Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3
PSY 352 - Abnormal Behavior Credits: 3
OR
PSY 355 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
SOC 215 - Family Violence Credits: 3
SOC 220 - Violence in Society Credits: 3
SOC 223 - Drugs and Alcohol in American Society Credits: 3
SOC 226 - Corrections, Probation and Parole Credits: 3
SOC 228 - Deviance and Social Control Credits: 3
SOC 235 - Corrections Counseling Credits: 3
SOC 252 - Race, Class, Gender and Crime Credits: 3
SOC 325 - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: 3
SOC 352 - Social Stratification Credits: 3
SOC 360 - White Collar Crime Credits: 3
SOC 375 - Advanced Criminological Theory Credits: 3

Capstone (3 hours)

SOC 390 - Senior Capstone Credits: 3

Five-Year B.A./M.B.A. in Criminology

Fast-track your career by earning both a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master of Business Administration degree in just five years.
Wilkes University offers a unique opportunity for you to earn a Master of Business Administration degree in only one extra year with the accelerated five-year B.A./M.B.A. in Criminology.

REQUIREMENTS

The bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in Criminology requires 120 credits, and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) requires 39 credits. Wilkes University’s B.A./M.B.A. program allows students to apply elective credits as an undergraduate that can be applied to the M.B.A. requirements, thereby allowing the student to finish the master’s program in only three semesters.

Recommended Course Sequence

Required Courses and Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester

PS 111 - Introduction to American Government Credits: 3
ENG 101 - Composition Credits: 4
OR
Distribution Requirement Credits: 3
FYF 101 - First-Year Foundations Credits: 3
PSY 101 - General Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15-16

Second Semester

Distribution Requirement Credits: 6
ENG 101 - Composition Credits: 4
Distribution Requirement Credits: 3
Major Elective Credits: 3
Free Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15-16

Third Semester

Distribution Requirement Credits: 3
Free Electives Credits: 6
SOC 222 - Criminology Credits: 3
Major Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Fourth Semester

Distribution Requirement Credits: 3
EC 102 - Principles of Economics II Credits: 3
Free Elective Credits: 3
Major Elective Credits: 3
PS 233 - Law and Society Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Fifth Semester

Distribution Requirements Credits: 6
EC 320 - The Economics of Crime Credits: 3
PS 232 - Criminal Law Credits: 3
SOC 370 - Quantitative Reasoning for The Social Sciences Credits: 3
OR
PS 265 - Quantitative Reasoning for The Social Sciences Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Sixth Semester

Distribution Requirement Credits: 3
Major Elective Credits: 3
Free Electives Credits: 6
SOC 309 - Career Mentoring in The Social Sciences Credits: 2
SOC 371 - Methods of Research in Sociology Credits: 3
OR
PS 261 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17

Seventh Semester

Free Electives Credits: 12
Major elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Eighth Semester

Free Electives Credits: 11
SOC 390 - Senior Capstone Credits: 3
OR
PS 390 - Senior Capstone Credits: 3

Total Credits: 14

Total Credits: 120

*See the General Education Curriculum for a list of courses that satisfy the Distribution Requirements.