UNCW's criminology program will provide you with a strong social science foundation. You will be prepared to directly enter the profession in fields such as corrections, police services, probation and parole, or continue on to graduate school and law school. The rigorous curriculum will empower you with a deep understanding of crime and justice as well as an appreciation of American society and its diversity.
Depending on the concentration you select
- criminology or
- criminal justice
core courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Sociology, Criminology, Methods of Social Research, Data Analysis and a senior seminar.
In addition, you will be able to choose among a host of primary electives such as Victimology, White Collar Crime, Collective Violence, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Police in Society, Criminal Courts and Corrections.
A variety of secondary elective courses are offered such as Minorities, Crime and Criminal Justice Policy, Juvenile Justice, Law of Evidence, and Comparative Criminology. Several sociology courses are also required to complete the major.
You are encouraged to complete a practicum (internship) in a criminal justice agency. Field placements may include the local police and sheriff's departments, the district attorney's office, probation and parole, juvenile services, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Center for Missing Persons. Junior and senior-level students may enroll in the practicum program.
Go to our Public Sociology and Public Criminology Cluster Studies page for more information about the projects faculty and students are working on throughout the year.
