Criminology is defined as the scientific and interdisciplinary study of the nature, extent, causes, control, and prevention of criminal behavior in both the individual and society. Criminology also includes the examination of evidence, hereditary, psychological, and social causes of crime, various modes of investigation, and conviction, and the efficiencies of differing styles of punishment, rehabilitation, and corrections. The major requires completion of 45 credit hours: 21 hours of required coursework and 24 hours of elective coursework. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue independent research and internship experiences in the local community. Internship positions are available to students of junior or senior standing who have obtained a minimum cumulative average of 3.0 and permission from the instructor. Internship hours do not count toward a major area of concentration or toward minor areas of study in social sciences.
