Criminology (BA)

The Department of Criminal Justice at Plymouth State University aims to serve students interested in a variety of careers spanning law enforcement, investigations, court administration, corrections, juvenile services, loss prevention, as well as graduate or law school. Consistent with the general mission of Plymouth State University, the department seeks to produce well-rounded graduates who are equipped to both continue their education and enter the work force. In addition, the department serves the surrounding community, not only by producing high quality graduates well prepared to enter their field, but also by partnering with local and regional agencies to provide academic and research support.

Students in the BA in criminology degree program are exposed to a well-rounded liberal arts education that is interdisciplinary in nature. Students develop skills in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, problem solving techniques, communication skills, data analysis skills, and foreign language proficiency, along with an appreciation for ethical and professional behavior in the field. Upon completion of the program, students will understand how the criminal justice system fits into our broader society, the functions it serves, how it relates to and interacts with other fields and systems, and how policy is shaped and formed. Students will also have developed an independent sense of self, with a tolerance toward others and the ability to work in diverse cultures.

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
CJ 1020Criminal Justice in Action4
CJ/SO 2080Crime and Criminals4
CJ 3157Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO)4
CJ 3225Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO)4
CJ 3260Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO)4
CJ/SO 3270Explaining Crime4
CJ 4805Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO)4
Major Electives 1
Complete two courses from the following:8
Police and society
Criminal Procedure
Corrections
Criminal Law
Complete one course from the following:3-4
Forensic Anthropology
Criminal Investigation
Cybercrime
Forensic Science
Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO)
Youth and Crime
Criminal Justice and Mental Health
Homeland Security
Women and Crime (DICO,GACO)
Restorative Justice Practice with Youth
Topics in Criminal Justice
Cultural Diversity and American Society (DICO,INCO,INCP)
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
Juvenile Delinquency
Sociology of Deviance (DICO)
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO)
Drugs and Society (INCO,INCP)
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
MAMathematics Foundations3-4
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 24-8
WECOWellness Connection3-4
GACOForeign Language 36-8
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-40-4
Electives38-41
Total Credits120
1

Several of the Major Electives have prerequisites; see their course description for details.

2

Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

3

The foreign language requirement for all BA degrees calls for 0-8 credits: one year of one language (6-8 credits); or one 3000/4000 level world language course (3 credits); or being a native speaker of a language other than English (zero credit). American Sign Language I and II fulfill this requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.

Complementary Courses

Students in Criminology are encouraged to consider a minor in another department that would interface with the field of Criminology. Free electives could be used to fulfill the requirements for minors such as: Anthropology/Sociology, Business Administration, Child Welfare and Family Studies, Computing, French, Information Technology, Media Studies, Peace and Social Justice Studies, Political Science, Pre-Law, Professional Communication, Psychology, Spanish or Women’s Studies.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MAMathematics Foundation 3-4
CJ 1020 Criminal Justice in Action 4
CJ/SO 2080 Crime and Criminals 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
Elective 1-4
 Credits26-32
Year Two
Complete two Major Electives from the following: 8
Police and society
Criminal Procedure
Corrections
Criminal Law
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction 3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
GACOForeign Language 6-8
Electives 4-6
 Credits28-38
Year Three
CJ 3157 Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO) 4
CJ 3225 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO) 4
CJ 3260 Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO) 4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-4 0-4
Electives 18
 Credits30-34
Year Four
CJ/SO 3270 Explaining Crime 4
CJ 4805 Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO) 4
Complete one Major Elective from the following: 3-4
Forensic Anthropology
Criminal Investigation
Cybercrime
Forensic Science
Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO)
Juvenile Delinquency
Homeland Security
Women and Crime (DICO,GACO)
Restorative Justice Practice with Youth
Topics in Criminal Justice
Cultural Diversity and American Society (DICO,INCO,INCP)
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
Juvenile Delinquency
Sociology of Deviance (DICO)
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO)
Drugs and Society (INCO,INCP)
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Electives 13-15
 Credits27-31
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal justice processes, terminology, and history,
  • Articulate an understanding of the link between criminological theory, research methodology, and criminal justice policy,
  • Analyze and evaluate moral and ethical perspectives as related to the field of criminal justice,
  • Demonstrate technical competencies, and verbal and written communication skills,
  • Describe and evaluate the principles of scientific methodology to become informed consumers of criminal justice research, and
  • Identify and appraise the presence of biases and prejudices and the role of diversity (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic, age, disabilities) in the application of justice
  • Attorney
  • Case Worker/Manager
  • Child Protective Service Worker
  • Clerk of Courts
  • Court Diversion Program Case Manager/Coordinator
  • Correctional Officer
  • Correctional Treatment Specialist
  • Criminal Investigator
  • DEA Agent
  • Domestic Violence Counselor
  • Drug Abuse Counselor
  • FBI Agent
  • Homeland Security Officer
  • Law Clerk
  • Legal Assistant
  • Paralegal
  • Parole Officer
  • Postal Inspector
  • Prison Warden
  • Private Investigator
  • Probation Officer
  • Restorative Justice Counselor
  • Victim/Witness Advocate
  • Youth Service Worker/Coordinator