About the Criminology Department

The Criminology major serves as a mechanism for integrating new research and literature into the liberal arts education. It enables students to explore theories, frameworks and methods for understanding crime and punishment. By exposing students to the complexities of the criminal legal system, the Criminology major equips socially conscious individuals to address the challenges of crime and punishment in society.

The Criminology Department highlights the processes and institutions of the criminal legal system with an emphasis on social policy. Criminology is a discipline of critical thinkers who serve society in various capacities such as police officers, lawyers, correctional officers, judges, legislators, social service providers, etc. Students develop a moral, philosophical, historical and scientific foundation of our criminal legal system from which to perform their duties in the workplace.