The criminology concentration in the Sociology/Anthropology Department  is especially relevant to students considering a career in law enforcement and human services agencies such as the federal, state and local police, correctional institutions, security organizations and judicial organizations. The program includes opportunities to earn academic credit for internship experiences with community police, court and probation agencies, juvenile detention centers and other agencies involved in counseling, criminal justice and reform.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the basic sociological concepts. These include the sociological imagination, social structure, institutions, social stratification, culture, and power.
2. Understand the role of social structure, culture, and social processes in the causation and amelioration of social problems.
3. Develop a thorough knowledge of the major sociological theories and theorists.  Important theoretical perspectives include functionalism, the conflict perspective, and symbolic interactionism.  Important social theorists include C. Wright Mills, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead.
4. Collect information necessary to address a research topic or hypothesis through library research, analysis of electronic data sources, and both quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.
5. Conduct basic quantitative data analysis employing computers.
6. Communicate their ideas and the ideas of others clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Career Potential

• Law enforcement
• Youth counseling
• Private security
• Correctional institutions
• Substance abuse counseling
• Probation work
• Investigative work
• Legal careers
• Social work