Criminology Minor

Criminology

Department Chairperson - Dr. Julie Smith

The Associate of Science Degree in Criminology is intended to prepare students for entry-level criminal justice positions including law enforcement and corrections. The curriculum has a social justice focus that advances the following four core values:

1. a recognition of the innate worth of all human beings, including criminal offenders;
2. a belief in the potential for criminal offenders to be reintegrated into society;
3. a recognition of the responsibility of the criminal offender to make good faith efforts to change; and
4. a belief in society’s responsibility to assist the offender change process by providing reasonable assistance.

With this foundation, the department has adopted the following outcomes. Upon completion of the program:

1. Knowledge Base in Criminology - Students will demonstrate breadth of fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how criminological principles apply to social phenomena;
2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior and evaluating research to draw conclusions about criminological phenomena;
3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World - Students will demonstrate basic familiarity with the formal regulations and policy that govern professional ethics in criminology and begin to demonstrate the adoption of the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in personal and professional settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns;
4. Communication - Students will demonstrate the ability to write with clarity, engage in discussion of criminological concepts, and explain the ideas of others; and
5. Professional Development - Students will be able to demonstrate application of criminology-specific content and skills to effectively obtain discipline specific employment and/or engage in further education.

With this foundation, the department has adopted the following outcomes. Upon completion of the program, graduates will demonstrate all of the outcomes stated above for the Associate’s Degree and, in addition, will be able to:

1. Knowledge Base in Criminology - Students will demonstrate depth of fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how criminological principles apply to social phenomena;
2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate skills and concepts in interpreting behavior and evaluating research to draw conclusions about criminological phenomena;
3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World - Students will demonstrate proficiency with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in criminology and demonstrate that they have adopted the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in personal and professional settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns;
4. Communication - Students will demonstrate the ability to construct a cogent argument, present information orally and/or in written form, engage in discussion of criminological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity, as well as produce a research study or other criminological project; and
5. Professional Development - Students will be able to apply criminology-specific content and skills to succeed in postbaccalaureate employment, graduate school, professional school, and/or professional organizations. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology is intended to prepare students for entry-level and certain mid-level criminal justice positions as well as for graduate or professional school. The program has a social justice focus that advances the same core values as stated above in the Associate Degree introduction section.

Background Requirements for Most Law Enforcement Positions

Students who wish to pursue a career in criminology should be aware that to secure a position in law enforcement or to teach criminology or criminal justice at most universities and colleges the student is required to pass a background check.

In most states, specifically Pennsylvania, federal law enforcement positions require that the candidate provide reports on his/her background to law enforcement agencies in the particular state they are seeking employment. For example, in Pennsylvania these particular agencies are: the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (if working with children) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Most all state and federal positions require a report from the Federal Criminal History Record Information Department of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the candidate will also undergo future background checks by the particular agency to which he/she applied.

If your background check is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in most law enforcement positions. In Pennsylvania and most states, students can seek a security background check from their state police agency.

Grade Requirements in Major

Students must earn a C or better in all major courses, designated with a CR prefix. Major courses for which a D or less has been earned must be repeated.

Grade Requirements in Concentrations and Certificates

Students must earn a C or better in ALL courses listed for any concentration, minor, or certificate to be awarded the certificate or designation for the concentration or minor on the transcript.

Required Courses

• Choose three 300/400 level CR courses 9 Credits

Total Credits for the Minor: 18 Credits