Why do some people break the law?

USM’s Bachelor of Arts degree program in criminology attempts to answer this question and so much more. But how does it work?

As an applied discipline, criminology is a unique combination of sociology, law, psychology, social work and science that analyzes how laws are created, why laws are broken and reactions of society to broken laws.

As a criminology student at USM, you’ll gain the expertise necessary to enter a highly competitive, demanding, yet rewarding
career.

Experienced, quality and dedicated professors lead your discussion in a small-class size environment. In addition to 21 hours of core criminology courses, three areas of focus are available so you can make the program your own!

For further information contact:

Ryan Alexander
Criminology Program Director
(913-758-6154) or alexanderr@stmary.edu

Choose between: • Behavioral Science • Criminology Administration • Applied Criminal Science

MAJOR IN CRIMINOLOGY
24 semester hours in the criminology core plus one of three concentrations; behavioral science, criminology administration, or applied criminal science.

CRIMINOLOGY CORE (24 HOURS)
CR 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
CR 280 Introduction to Criminal Law (3 credit hours)
PS 132 Debating American National, State, and Local Government
(3 credit hours)
CR 450 Criminology (3 credit hours)
PYCR 585 Research Methods: Design (3 credit hours) OR
PYCR 586 Research Methods: Statistical Analysis (3 cr. hours)
PYCR 590 Behavioral Science Seminar (3 credit hours)
Select six (6) hours from the following:
CR 350 Victimology (3 credit hours)
CR 380 Juvenile Delinquency (3 credit hours)
CR 470 Police, Courts, Probation, and Parole (3 credit hours)
CR 490 Penology (3 credit hours)
The Department recommends a practicum experience and a foreign language (Spanish). 118

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE CONCENTRATION (15 HOURS)
PY 150 Introduction to Psychology
CR 160 Social Problems
PYAPY 352 Professional Ethics
PY 535 Abnormal Psychology
PYCR 325 Introduction to Addictions

CRIMINOLOGY ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATION (15 HOURS)
IT 120 Management Information Systems
MGT 231 Principles of Management
MGT 320 Principles of Leadership
MGT 332 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Business
PY 460 Social Psychology

APPLIED CRIMINAL SCIENCE CONCENTRATION (19 HOURS)
CH 121 General Chemistry I
CH 122 General Chemistry II
CH 354 Analytical Chemistry
CH 455 Instrumental Analysis
BI 312 Biotechnology
The Department also recommends MA 230 Introductory Statistics for this concentration.

MINOR IN CRIMINOLOGY
(18 SEMESTER HOURS IN CRIMINOLOGY)
SO 110 Introduction to Sociology
CR 280 Introduction to Criminal Law
PS 132 Debating American National, State, and Local Government
CR 450 Criminology
Select nine (9) credits from the following:
CR 350 Victimology
CR 380 Juvenile Delinquency
CR 470 Police, Courts, Probation, and Parole
CR 490 Penology

CRIMINOLOGY COURSES
CR 110 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (BS)
Basic concepts, including culture, social organization, groups, the self, social interaction, social inequality, and social institutions, along with an emphasis on the socio-cultural influences on everyday behavior. Basic research practices and theoretical positions are also introduced.
Three hours each semester 119

CR 160 SOCIAL PROBLEMS (BS)
Identification, definition, discussion, and analysis of major social problems from a sociological perspective. Focus on poverty, crime and delinquency, substance abuse, sexual deviance, violence, family disorganization, and population problems. Theories of causation and alternative responses are examined.
Three hours fall semester

CR 280 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW
Introduction to the case method of studying criminal law, theory, concept, and philosophy of substantive law and criminal offenses; analysis of court decisions and opinions through case method. Prerequisite: SO 110.
Three hours fall semester

CR 350 VICTIMOLOGY
Major theoretical issues and debates in victimology. Victim blaming and defending, research and victim statistics, legal and policy dilemmas, bureaucratic responses to victims, and evaluation of victim compensation and restitution. Prerequisite: SO 110.
Three hours spring semester

CR 380 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (BS)
Definitions of juvenile delinquency, the nature and scope of the delinquency problem, types of delinquent behavior, theories of delinquency causation, the juvenile justice system, traditional and alternative treatment programs. Prerequisite: SO 110.
Three hours spring semester

CR 450 CRIMINOLOGY (WCF)
The development of criminal law and definitions of crime, measurement of the incidence and types of crime, theoretical explanations of crime, the criminal justice system and treatment programs, issues and trends in criminal justice. Prerequisite: Instructor Permission.
Three hours spring semester

CR 470 POLICE, COURTS, PROBATION AND PAROLE (BS)
Types and functions of law enforcement; the jurisdiction, structure, processes, and personnel of the judicial system; practices, procedures, and trends in probation, parole, and other non-incarcerating sentencing alternatives.
Three hours fall semester odd years

CR 490 PENOLOGY (BS)
Study of the emergence of jails, prisons, and youth facilities; structures and functions of correctional facilities; staffing and personnel training; programs and services; administration of correctional facilities; prison overcrowding; legal and political issues confronting corrections. Prerequisite: SO 110.
Three hours fall semester even years120

PY 460 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (BS)
The study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Such topics as attitudes, social beliefs, cultural and group influence, persuasion, conformity, prejudice, aggression, attraction, and altruism are considered. Prerequisite: PY 150 or SO 110.
Three hours fall semester

PYCR 585 RESEARCH METHODS: DESIGN
Methods of studying social and psychological phenomena, with emphasis on understanding the scientific process, techniques of data collection, and writing research reports. Students are required to design, conduct and report on small scale studies. Prerequisites: PY 150 or SO 110 and six (6) additional hours in the major.
Three hours fall semester

PYCR 586 RESEARCH METHODS: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
A practical application of research design methods in the field of behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on the integration of knowledge about the logic of research and the role of the student in seeking answers to questions within the subfields of psychology, sociology, and human services. Specific topics include steps involved in formulating a research project, collection of data, statistical analysis of data, and arriving at conclusions to the study. Prerequisites: PY 150 or SO 110 and six additional hours in the major.
Three hours spring semester

PYCR 590 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE SEMINAR
An integrative review and overview of key perspectives in the behavioral sciences, and related concerns from general education, consistent with the mission and goals of the university; application of these perspectives to making critical decisions about personal, societal, and ethical issues. Fulfills the Senior Integrative Experience requirement. Prerequisite: Senior major in the behavioral sciences or consent of the instructor.
Three hours spring semester

PYCR 591 PRACTICUM I
Application of classroom theory and training in a supervised applied setting. Students will gain a practical understanding of the setting and interact with other practicum students through individual and group sessions. Placement emphasis is on working with clients, case management, and agency interactions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Variable credit each semester 121

PYCR 592 PRACTICUM II
Application of classroom theory and training in a supervised applied setting. Students will gain a practical understanding of the setting and interact with other practicum students through individual and group sessions. Placement emphasis is on working with more diverse population of clients, and expanding site-based learning. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Variable credit each semester