Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023

Criminology, Bachelor of Arts (627)


Program Coordinator

James W. Kanan, james.kanan@wku.edu, (270) 745-2404

Department Email: criminology@wku.edu

As a scientific discipline, Criminology emerged from the field of Sociology. Core sociological concepts inform explanations of crime and society’s response to it. WKU’s Bachelor’s program in Criminology provides students with the opportunity to understand the theoretical principles which guide practical solutions to issues associated with offending, victimization, and interactions with the Criminal Justice System. Compared with traditional criminal justice programs, Criminology has a strong interdisciplinary focus. Our program continues this tradition by studying crime through a societal lens as we examine theoretical explanations, policy developments, and the broader implications of solutions on the health and well-being of communities and society.

Program Requirements (34 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

The major in criminology requires a minimum of 34 credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students majoring in criminology must select a minor, certificate, or second major. 

Core Courses
CRIM 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRIM 330Criminology3
CRIM 332Juvenile Delinquency3
CRIM 380Penology3
CRIM 499Senior Seminar1
SOCL 300Using Statistics in Sociology3
SOCL 302Social Research Methods3
SOCL 309Social Deviance3
Electives
Select four of the following courses:12
Forensic Anthropology
Introduction to Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Introduction to Crime Mapping
Introduction to Law Enforcement
Alternatives to Confinement
Crime and Popular Culture
Victimology & Victim Advocacy
Special Topics in Criminology
Race, Class, and Crime
Comparative Systems of Juvenile Justice
Sociology of Criminal Law
Organized Crime
The Death Penalty in America
Internship in Criminology
Gender, Crime, and Justice
Life-Course Criminology
International Justice and Crime
White-Collar Crime
Homicide and Serial Homicide
Criminology Study Abroad
Directed Study in Criminology
Directed Study in Criminology
American Legal History to 1865
American Legal History Since 1865
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse Education
Illicit Drug Policy in the Us
Introduction to Law
Judicial Process
Constitutional Law
Criminal Justice Procedures
Political Terrorism
Abnormal Psychology
Psychological Aspects of Alcoholism
Psychology and Law
Sexuality and Society
Stigma and Society
Family Violence
Services for Juvenile Offenders and Their Families
Total Hours34

Finish in Four Plan

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003ENG 2003
CRIM 1013Any CRIM 200-level course3
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Science w/lab3HIST 101 or HIST 1023
MATH 109 (or higher)3COMM 1453
Language course (if needed) or 2nd Major/Minor Course3Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (Recommend FLK 276)3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 300 or COMM 2003SOCL 3003
SOCL 3023SOCL 3093
CRIM 3303Colonnade: Connections23
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Science32nd Major/Minor Course3
Colonnade: Connections132nd Major/Minor Course3
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CRIM 3323CRIM 3803
2nd Major/Minor Course3Any CRIM Elective3
2nd Major/Minor Course32nd Major/Minor Course3
Colonnade: Connections332nd Major/Minor Course3
General Elective3General Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Any CRIM Elective3CRIM 4393
2nd Major/Minor Course3CRIM 4991
General Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
 General Elective3
 15 16
Total Hours 121