Criminology, B.A. Cleveland State University

Program Description

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and its causes. The major is interdisciplinary but draws primarily from the discipline of sociology. Students who complete the degree receive a broadly based liberal-arts education that hones their writing skills, research abilities, and critical thinking. Above and beyond the teaching of basic aspects and preparing students for careers in the criminal justice system, the program is designed to instill a scientific and systematic orientation towards this subject matter via courses in theory and research methods. Students pursuing a major in Criminology take core courses in the fundamentals of criminology, additional courses focusing on key areas and issues in the study of crime, and courses in research methods. This program familiarizes students with the principal theories and research findings of criminology and is designed to develop critical-thinking abilities and the knowledge, research and writing skills central to a liberal-arts education. It prepares students for a wide variety of careers in applied criminal justice fields such as corrections, parole or policing, the field of justice research and in social-service settings. In addition, students who complete this concentration are well prepared for graduate work in criminology, one of the social sciences or law.

Other Programs at the School