Criminology (BA)
Criminology studies the etiology, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and criminal behavior. Traditionally, the field of criminology has been closely aligned with the discipline of sociology and focused on the social origins of crime and criminal behavior, as well as societal reactions towards it. The criminology program at Dominican University of California is interdisciplinary in nature. The major consists of courses dealing specifically with the subjects of crime and criminal justice, as well as a combination of sociology, political science, ethics, and history coursework. Coursework is designed to give the students a broad overview of the criminal justice system and an array of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to the study of crime, as well as constructive interventions to criminal behavior. The program is concerned with promoting social justice and the common good for those working within the criminal justice system.
The degree prepares students for work in the specific areas of law enforcement or probation, juvenile justice, the courts, corrections, or offender and victim services. The program’s research focus provides a foundation for leadership and analytic positions, as well as graduate work in sociology, forensic and counseling psychology, social work, and criminal justice.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply criminological, sociological, and psychological theories to analyze and understand crime and criminal behavior.
- Critically analyze the social-historical context of crime and criminal behavior, including its legal, social, and economic dimensions within the United States and internationally.
- Apply social science research methods to analyze policy responses to crime and criminological research.
- Apply criminological knowledge and skills in the community and/or public service.
Required Courses
| CRIM 1000 | Introduction to Criminology | 4.00 units |
| PSY 1100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4.00 units |
| SOC 1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 3001 | The Criminal Justice System | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 3002 | Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 3003 | Theoretical Images of Crime, Deviance and Social Control | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 4035 | Forensic Psychology | 4.00 units |
| POL 3411 | Constitutional Criminal Procedure | 4.00 units |
| SOC 3101 | Research Methods in Social Science | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 4901 | Senior Capstone | 4.00 units |
| CRIM 4996 | Internship: Criminology | 1.00 unit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 41 |
Electives:
Select one course from the following:
| SOC 3001 | Racial and Ethnic Issues | 4.00 units |
| HONO 3202 | Just Learning: Books Not Bars | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3701 | Ethnicity and Race in United States History | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3724 | Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: 45