Criminology studies the criminal legal system with the aim of creating more just policies and institutions that better support marginalized members of society. In the Criminology major, students are taught the skills needed to analyze crime and behavior data; to evaluate offender treatment programs; to design crime prevention models; and to assess social policies.
The Criminology major provides an educational experience that allows students to enter law enforcement, probation, corrections, crime prevention, and crime analysis professions. The major also provides a foundation for graduate study in law, social work, sociology, public policy, and public health.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Liberal Studies Requirements | 84 |
| Major Requirements | 36 |
| Major Electives | 20 |
| Open Electives | 52 |
| Total hours required | 192 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Describe the moral, philosophical, historical, and scientific dimensions of Criminology.
- Explain the principles and methods of research in Criminology, how they are commonly used by professionals and scholars in the field to create and assess policy, and how to analyze these data.
- Contrast the main criminological traditions and perspectives in a clear, reasoned, and discipline-specific manner, and its relation to policy, practice, and research.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills about Criminology
College Core Requirements
Study in the Major Field
The student’s course of study in the College consists of three parts: Liberal Studies, the major field, and electives. Together these three parts contribute to the liberal education of the student which is the common purpose of all study in the College. By “liberal education” the College understands not only a deep and thorough knowledge of a particular area of study but a knowledge of the diverse areas of study represented by criticism, history, the arts, the behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, religious studies, the natural science, and mathematics.
The major field program generally is built upon a set of core courses and a specialized “concentration.” The number of courses required for a major varies by department. Most students go beyond the minimum requirements, electing additional courses which both broaden and deepen their understanding of their chosen discipline.
Because no academic major program is built in isolation, students are required to pursue a number of electives of the student’s choice. The inherent flexibility of this curriculum demands that the student consult an academic advisor at each stage in the total program and at least once prior to each registration.
Students will be prompted to visit the College Office for their official graduation check early in their senior year.
Declaration of Major, Minor and Concentration
All students in the College are required to declare a major field prior to beginning their junior year. The student will then be assigned a faculty advisor in the major field department or program and should make an appointment to see that advisor at his or her earliest convenience.
Students must declare or change majors, minors, and concentrations, via Campus Connection. However, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of changing a major field, the student should consult an academic advisor in the Office for Academic Advising Support.
The Modern Language Requirement (MLR)
All students will be required to demonstrate competence in a modern language (i.e., a language other than English) equivalent to the proficiency attained from one year of college-level language study. This Modern Language Requirement (MLR) may be demonstrated by:
- placing into 104 or above on the DePaul language placement exam
- completing the last course or earning AP/IB credit for the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language (e.g. 103 for DePaul language classes)
- completing a college course or earning AP/IB credit for a college course beyond the first-year level in any language (e.g. 104 or above for DePaul language classes)
- completing the final course of a four-year sequence of the same modern language in high school*
- completing a proctored exam by BYU and passing the exam (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
- completing a proctored Written Proficiency Test (WPT) by Language Testing International (LTI) and achieving a score of Beginner High or above (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
*Students are strongly encouraged to take the DePaul language placement exam even if they have met the MLR via study of a language in high school. This will ensure continuation of language study at the proper level.
Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement.
Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College will abide by the MLR in place on the effective date of the ICT, regardless of when they first matriculated at DePaul.
Students who have met the MLR and wish to pursue further work in the language may elect the “Modern Language Option” (see below).
Language for Liberal Studies Option
The Language for Liberal Studies Option is available to all BA students who wish to study a modern language beyond the level required by their College, and to all other undergraduate students without a modern language requirement who wish to study a language at any level.
Students selecting the Language for Liberal Studies Option may substitute a sequence of three courses in the same language for three domain courses.
The three Language for Liberal Studies Option substitutions must be made in three different domains, and any substitutions must be consistent with the principle that students complete at least one course in each learning domain.
Language for Liberal Studies Option substitutions may not be used to replace requirements in the Math & Computing, and Scientific Inquiry, domains.
Students majoring in one modern language may use the Language for Liberal Studies Option for study of a second language at the Intermediate level or above.
Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Language for Liberal Studies Option.
NOTE: Please contact your college/school regarding additional information and restrictions about the Language for Liberal Studies Option.
External Credit and Residency
A student who has been admitted to the College begins residency within the college as of the first day of classes of the term in which the student is registered. Students in residence, whether attending on a full-time or part-time basis, may not take courses away from DePaul University without the written permission of the college. Permission must be obtained in advance of registration to avoid loss of credit or residency in the college; see the LAS website for more information.
Liberal Studies Requirements
Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.
| First Year Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Quarter | ||
| LSP 110 or LSP 111 | DISCOVER CHICAGO or EXPLORE CHICAGO | 4 |
| Focal Point | ||
| LSP 112 | FOCAL POINT SEMINAR | 4 |
| Writing | ||
| WRD 103 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 | 4 |
| WRD 104 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MAT 120 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 2 | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Race, Power, and Resistance | ||
| LSP 200 | SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| Junior Year | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Required 3 | ||
| Senior Year | ||
| Capstone | ||
| CRIM 395 | CAPSTONE IN CRIMINOLOGY 1,4 | 4 |
- 1
Students must earn a C- or better in this course.
- 2
Readiness for MAT 120 is determined by the math placement test taken online after admission. Students may need to take developmental coursework prior to MAT 120. Students who complete MAT 120 and both a Computational Reasoning course and a Statistical Reasoning course in the Math and Computing Learning Domain take one less Learning Domain course. Students may not apply the course reduction to any Domain where only one course is required, and cannot be applied to the Scientific Inquiry Learning Domain. The MAT 120 requirement may be waived by passing a dedicated proficiency exam or it may be fulfilled by credit for advanced math coursework earned in-residence at DePaul (MAT 135, MAT 136, MAT 147, MAT 148, MAT 149, MAT 150, MAT 151, MAT 152 MAT 155, MAT 156, or equivalent) or earned externally either as transfer credit from another college/university or as test credit through AP, CLEP, IB, or International A and A/S Level exams. Calculus course(s) may be used to fulfill any of the three QR/MCD requirements.
- 3
CRIM 398 recommended.
- 4
A student majoring in Criminology (CRIM) is required to complete the Capstone offered by the Criminology Department. This is the case even if a student is double majoring (or pursuing a dual degree) and the secondary major (or degree) requires its own Capstone. A CRIM major in the University Honors Program shall take the University Honors Capstone and the CRIM Capstone.
Learning Domains
Arts and Literature (AL)
- 3 Courses Required
Historical Inquiry (HI)
- 2 Courses Required
Math and Computing (MC)
- 1 Course Required
[1 CR Course]
Philosophical Inquiry (PI)
- 2 Courses Required
Religious Dimensions (RD)
- 2 Courses Required
Scientific Inquiry (SI)
- 2 Courses Required
[1 Lab Course and 1 SWK Course]
Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)
- 1 Course Required
Notes
Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major. Students who choose to take an experiential learning course offered by the major may count it either as a general elective or as the Experiential Learning requirement.
In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.
Major Requirements
Criminology majors must complete a combination of core criminology courses, criminology electives, and open electives. Core courses equip students with a foundational understanding of crime, social justice issues, victimization, and the criminal legal system. They introduce students classical and contemporary criminological theories and research and analytical techniques. The criminology electives supplement the core courses by offering students an opportunity to explore various topics of interest within the field and obtain practical experience. Open electives provide students the space to explore other academic interests or pursue another major or minor.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 101 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| CRIM 201 | LAW ENFORCEMENT | 4 |
| CRIM 202 | CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE | 4 |
| CRIM 203 | CORRECTIONS | 4 |
| CRIM 205 | RACE, CLASS, GENDER AND THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| CRIM 301 | RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY | 4 |
| CRIM 302 | STATISTICS IN CRIMINOLOGY | 4 |
| CRIM 303 | CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY | 4 |
| CRIM 305 | VICTIMOLOGY | 4 |
In addition, as party of their Liberal Studies requirements, students will register for a Criminology-specific capstone course (CRIM 395) that contextualizes the knowledge and skills learned in the curriculum.
Criminology Elective Requirements
Students must complete five elective courses (20 credit hours), with at least one criminology elective at the 300-level. Students work with their academic and faculty advisors to choose courses that reflect their interests and career goals.
The criminology program offers a range of courses in three areas: criminal justice administration, community justice, and race, class, gender and the criminal legal system. Students may select any five criminology elective courses from these areas, in whatever combination suits their interests. Students may also take special topics courses on contemporary issues within the field.
Criminal Justice Administration
Criminal Justice Administration courses prepare students for careers in the criminal legal system by developing the leadership and administrative skills needed in the field. Through these courses, students explore, critique, and develop just and humane responses to crime.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS | ||
| LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT | ||
| CRIME AND PUNISHMENT | ||
| JUVENILE JUSTICE | ||
| FORENSIC SCIENCE | ||
| DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM | ||
| CYBERCRIME AND CYBERTERRORISM | ||
| COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF JUSTICE | ||
| FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES | ||
| 21ST CENTURY POLICING | ||
| REHABILITATION, REINTEGRATION AND REENTRY |
Community Justice
Community Justice courses provide students with a strong understanding of the factors that produce crime at the neighborhood level. They explore effective crime prevention approaches that promote collaboration between criminal legal agencies and community partners. Through these courses, students learn how to support and enhance neighborhood informal social controls with the goal of stabilizing communities and reducing crime.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GANGS IN SOCIETY | ||
| COMMUNITIES AND CRIME | ||
| COMMUNITY NON-VIOLENCE | ||
| CRIME PREVENTION | ||
| SCHOOL VIOLENCE, DISCIPLINE AND JUSTICE | ||
| DRUGS AND SOCIETY |
Race, Class, Gender, and the Criminal Legal System
Race, Class, Gender, and the Criminal Legal System courses examine the social, political, and economic factors that impact how crime is defined and responses to it. Through these courses, students learn about the values, ethics, and power dynamics that influence our understandings and administration of justice.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIME AND THE MEDIA | ||
| CRIMINOLOGY GOES TO THE MOVIES | ||
| LATINOS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | ||
| CRIMES OF THE STATE | ||
| HATE/BIAS CRIMES | ||
| WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS | ||
| US POLITICAL PRISONERS AND CRIMES OF CONSCIENCE | ||
| WHITE COLLAR AND CORPORATE CRIME |
Special Topics
Periodically, the program offers students the opportunity to take courses on new and emerging topics in criminology. Students can take one or more of these courses to fulfill their criminology electives or open electives requirements.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS |
Other Disciplinary Courses
Students are permitted to complete up to three electives on criminology-related topics from a pre-approved list of courses taught by disciplines such as anthropology, geography, social work, public policy, sociology, or political science.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| STEREOTYPES AND BLACK IDENTITY | ||
| FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY | ||
| RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRISON | ||
| MASCULINITY, JUSTICE AND LAW | ||
| LAW AND POLITICS: PRISON POLICIES AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE | ||
| HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW FROM COLONIALISM TO GLOBALIZATION | ||
| LAW OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANZIATIONS, NGOS AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE | ||
| QUEER PIONEERS: CULTURE, GENDER, AND POLITICAL ACTIVISM | ||
| LATINO COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO | ||
| GROWING UP LATINO/LATINA IN THE U.S. | ||
| CONFLICT: STORYTELLING, INTERVENTION, NEGOTIATION | ||
| TOPICS IN NONVIOLENCE | ||
| TOPICS IN CONFLICT INTERVENTION | ||
| PUBLIC POLICY AND URBAN ISSUES | ||
| LAW AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS | ||
| NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | ||
| IMMIGRATION LAW | ||
| RIGHTS-BASED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS | ||
| URBAN SOCIOLOGY | ||
| CLASS, POWER AND DECISION MAKING IN THE CITY | ||
| TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE: THEORY AND PRACTICE |