Criminology is the study of crimes, criminals, crime victims, theories explaining illegal and deviant behavior, the social reaction to crime and criminals, the effectiveness of anti-crime policies and the broader political terrain of social control. The major contains courses in sociology, other social science disciplines and the humanities. Students who are planning to attend graduate or professional schools and students who are currently working in criminal justice or other public service fields as well as those planning to do so in the future will find this major of interest.
Major Requirements
Criminology Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Schedule an Advising Appointment
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For all sorts of information related to the Criminology major, check out the Sociology Department's Student Advisement website.
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Learn about the Criminology major requirements that apply to you.
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Use the Criminology Major Worksheet for students who declared before fall 2017 or the Criminology Major Worksheet for students who declared fall 2017 and after in order to find out which requirements you’ve met and which ones you still need.
Major Advisors
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a major hold placed on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have an appointment with a major advisor. This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
The Criminology major has several courses that build on each other in a sequence, so it is important to be aware of this and plan accordingly. Keep the following tips in mind:
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Take SOC 101 as early as possible, since it is a prerequisite for most of the courses in the major.
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Most 300 level courses require junior standing (at least 60 credits earned) and some require other prerequisites, so look ahead at what foundation courses the Criminology 300/400 level classes require.
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Be sure to take SSC 325 in your junior year.
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SOC 440 Senior Seminar requires the following prerequisites: SOC 203, SOC 314, STA 250, and SSC 325. Complete these prerequisites by the end of junior year (or first semester senior year at the latest).
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Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and at least a 2.0 overall GPA to graduate.
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and major advisor.
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Fill out the Criminology Major Worksheet for students who declared before fall 2017 or the Criminology Major Worksheet for students who declared fall 2017 and after to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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See our Sample Four Year Plan for students who declared prior to fall 2017 or our Sample Four Year Plan for students who declared fall 2017 or later for an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
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For all sorts of information related to the Criminology major, check out the Sociology Department's Student Advisement website.
Academic Internship
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.