Degree
Criminology, B.A.Contact
James Roche, J.D.
Assistant Director, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
jroche@une.edu
Mission
The Criminology program will: provide a deeply contextualized understanding of crime, law, justice and punishment; facilitate the development of critical competencies including, critical reading, writing, and analysis within the study of criminology; enable the focused study of how crime and the law shape the worlds in which we live; and afford opportunities for experiential learning via student research and professional experiences.
Major Description
Criminology focuses on 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. Criminology programs are interdisciplinary, but ordinarily borrow much from sociology as well as other social sciences and humanities disciplines. Criminology programs are thus grounded in the liberal arts, and provide a rigorous engagement with crime and the institutions that are created to contend with it. The professional profile of instructors in criminology is generally an academic background and a terminal degree in criminology or a related field.
Curricular Requirements
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| CRL 205 – The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRL 345 – Critical Criminology | 3 |
| PSC 125 – Understanding Law: An Introduction or PSC 210 – Constitutional Law | 3 |
| SOC 170 – Deviance and Crime | 3 |
| SOC 268 – Practice of Social Science Research | 3 |
| SOC 270 – Classical Social Theory or SOC 280 – Contemporary Social Theory | 3 |
| SOC 300 – Sociology Internship or PSY 300 – Psychology Internship | 3–15 |
| SOC 311 – Theories of Race and Racism | 3 |
| SOC 370 – Applied Field Method in Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 493 – Cap Expt: Internship or SOC 494 – Cap Exp: Thesis | 3–16 |
| Four (4) Program Specific Electives | 12 |
| Minimum Total Credits | 42 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
| Program Specific Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANT 312 – Human Trafficking | 3 |
| CRL 206 – Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRL 210 – Forensic Eyewitness Interviews | 3 |
| HIS 266 – History of Drugs in the Americas | 3 |
| PSC 241 – Human Rights in World Politics | 3 |
| PSC 278 – Pol Sci Human Trad II | 3 |
| PSC 330 – Theories of Politics and War | 3 |
| PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 236 – Mental Health & Society | 3 |
| PSY 370 – Drugs, Society, and Behavior | 3 |
| SOC 333 – Sociology of Law | 3 |
| SOC 421 – A Just Society? | 3 |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology program students will be able to:
- Distinguish the differing agencies associated with the social control of criminal, regulatory, and international law violations.
- Summarize and differentiate the major theories of crime and criminalization.
- Recognize, theoretically and empirically, structural inequalities and their relation to crime and social control.
- Use criminological methods, or investigative techniques, to assess patterns of crime, criminalization, and victimization.
Academic and Technical Standards
A grade point average of 2.00 is necessary to be approved to add a major in Criminology. A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all courses used toward program requirements in Criminology. See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.
Transfer Credit
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the University of New England for the 2025–2026 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 30, 2025.
The University of New England reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.