University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Criminology B.A.

Criminology is an area of study within sociology that examines the social causes and consequences of crime. Coursework focuses on the dynamics of victimization and offending, the operation of the criminal justice system, and the impact of income inequality and racial disparities on crime and punishment. Students will graduate from the Criminology program with a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system, a systemic understanding of inequality, and strong data analysis and critical thinking skills. The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology prepares students for professional careers in law enforcement, social services, law, applied research, and academia.

Bachelor of Arts - Criminology

General Education Requirements

 

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog. 

Summary

Core Courses18
Criminology Perspectives12
Criminology Electives12
Total Hours42

Degree Specific Credits: 42

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Core Courses

Complete all of the following courses:
SOCI 101SIntroduction to Sociology3
SOCI 202Social Statistics3
SOCI 211SIntroduction to Criminology3
SOCI 221Criminal Justice System3
SOCI 318Sociological Research Methods3
SOCI 439Advanced Criminological Theory3
Total Hours18

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Criminology Perspectives

Note: Students can apply only 6 credits of non-Sociology courses (SOCI) to the major.

Complete one course from each of the following perspective categories:
Macro and Historical Perspectives3
Complete one of the following courses:
Comparative Criminology
Sociology of Punishment
Communities and Crime
Deviant and Criminal Behavior
Criminal Justice3
Complete one of the following courses:
Juvenile Justice System
Sociology of Law Enforcement
Sociology of Corrections
Work, Labor, and the Criminal Justice System
Forensic Psychology
Interpersonal Violence3
Complete one of the following courses:
Family Violence
Victims and Society
Prostitution & Human Trafficking
Gender, Crime, and Justice
Homicide
Structural Inequality3
Complete one of the following courses:
Human Rights and Mass Incarceration
White Supremacy - History/Defeat
Dismantling Racism: From Theory to Practice
Native American History from 1830
Indigenous World View Perspectives
Tribal Sovereignty
Race, Gender & Class
Social Stratification
Total Hours12
 

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Criminology Electives

Notes:

  • Courses not used to fulfill the Sociology Perspectives requirement may count toward the elective requirement. Special topics and other Sociology courses may also count toward the elective requirement with the consent of the program director. 
  • Students may apply no more than 6 credits of non-Sociology (SOCI) courses toward the Criminology Electives. 
Complete 12 credits of the following courses:12
Human Rights and Mass Incarceration
White Supremacy - History/Defeat
Dismantling Racism: From Theory to Practice
Native American History from 1830
Indigenous World View Perspectives
Tribal Sovereignty
Forensic Psychology
Social Stratification
Race, Gender & Class
Careers in Criminology
Criminal Justice Ethics
Juvenile Justice System
Sociology of Law Enforcement
Comparative Criminology
Family Violence
Sociology of Punishment
Sociology of Corrections
Victims and Society
Communities and Crime
Deviant and Criminal Behavior
Prostitution & Human Trafficking
Gender, Crime, and Justice
Homicide
Work, Labor, and the Criminal Justice System
Internship SERV
Total Hours12

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Double Majoring with Sociology

Rule: Students who want to double major in Criminology and Sociology must complete the following additional requirements. 

Note: Special topics and other Sociology courses may also count toward this requirement with the consent of the program director. 

Complete the following course:
SOCI 455Classical Sociological Theory3
Complete 7 of the follow courses (21 credits):21
Race, Gender & Class
Gender and Society
Sociology of Work
Social Stratification
Sociology of the Family
Sociology of Organizations
Rural Sociology
The Community
Sociology, Psychology, and Social Structure
Capstone: Inequality and Social Justice
Sociology of Poverty
Prostitution & Human Trafficking
Environmental Sociology
Writing for Sociology
Other SOCI courses may apply to this requirement with the approval of the program director.
Total Hours24

Minimum Required Grade: C- 


Advanced Writing Courses

The following Sociology courses also fulfill the General Education Advanced Writing requirement:
Victims and Society
Seminar in Crime & Deviance
Capstone: Inequality and Social Justice
Homicide
Writing for Sociology