Our BA in criminology provides you with the foundation to think critically about crime, law and justice. In addition to learning theory and methods, you'll examine structural foundations of crime, deviance and social control.
Our low student-to-faculty ratio allows professors to advise you according to your individual passions and career goals. As you develop specific areas of interest, you can delve deeper into the creation and application of criminal law, the causes of crime or societal responses to lawbreaking. Your exploration of these topics can culminate in a senior thesis.
Majors often go on to law or graduate school, or pursue careers in social- and human-service occupations related to criminal, juvenile and social justice. Others pursue graduate study in criminology, law and other social sciences.
Criminology at DU Offers:
The Partners in Scholarship (PinS) program, where you can collaborate with faculty on research initiatives
Internships that empower you to apply classroom learning to larger communities in business, social service and government
Special events led by award-winning faculty and guests whose work actively contributes to local and national policy debates
Career development and an alumni mentoring program, which offer insight into opportunities after graduation
Degree Requirements
- To major in criminology you will need to complete 40 credits. These include 20 credits of required coursework and 20 elective credits. Up to four credits in the electives category can be an internship.
- Students may not double-major, double-minor or major-minor in both sociology and criminology.
- For distinction in the major, you will need to maintain a GPA of 3.5 in the major, 3.25 overall, and you will successfully complete a senior thesis according to the set departmental timeline.
- To fulfill a secondary major in criminology you will complete 40 credits (same requirements as for BA degree).
- To fulfill a minor in criminology you will complete 20 credits, including Understanding Social Life, Criminology and 12 elective credits. Up to four credits can be an internship.
See the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for full course requirements.
Featured Courses
SOCI 2765
The Female Offender
About this Course
Female offenders are one of the fastest growing segments in both the juvenile and adult justice systems. This course introduces students to debates and issues surrounding girls, women, and crime; explores different theoretical perspectives of gender and crime; and examines the impact of gender on the construction and treatment of female offenders by the justice system. In addition, this course specifically looks at girls' and women's pathways to offending and incarcerations; understanding girls' violence in the inner city; exploring the reality of prison life for women, with a particular focus on the gender-sensitive programming for incarcerated mothers; and ending with an examination of how capital punishment has affected women offenders historically and contemporarily. Cross listed with GWST 2765. Prerequisite: SOCI 1810 or permission of instructor.
SOCI 2855
Crime and the Media
About this Course
This course explores the complex relationship between crime and the media. We use sociological and cultural theories to examine how crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system are portrayed in print and visual media outlets. We explore the media's role in shaping crime control and other public policies. We investigate the influence of offender and victim characteristics (e.g., race, gender, class, celebrity status) on how crime is presented. We also "turn the tables" to learn about how media itself may influence patterns of criminal offending (think violent video games). The overarching goal of this class is to teach students to watch/read crime media with an educated, critical eye.
SOCI 3982
Sociology Internship
About this Course
Opportunity to gain valuable work experience, explore various career options, develop job competencies and apply theoretical knowledge to practical concerns of the world. Must have junior or senior standing, be sociology or criminology major or minor, have a cumulative GPA or 3.0, and have taken at least three sociology- and/or criminology-related courses beyond SOCI 1810.
Our Criminology program offers a real-world study of crime, law and justice.
Are you ready to learn more about Criminology at DU?
