Criminology
The sociology/criminology department is designed to advance the overall university mission by
offering a value-centered approach to the social sciences alongside substantive preparation for a
variety of professional endeavors. The mission of the department is to provide students a program
that combines the scientific study of social institutions and the social organization of human
behavior with a critical under¬standing of law, human rights, social justice, social action, and
advocacy. The major in criminology offers a career-enhancing, liberal arts curriculum based upon
the sociological study of law, conceptions of justice, and social control, and it provides an
understanding of the structural roots of deviance, delinquency, crime, victimization, crime
control, and related social policies. Students majoring in criminology undergo a comprehensive
program of study and are prepared for professional employment in a number of occupations related to
social service and law; for graduate study in criminology, the sociology of law, or justice
studies; or for law school. Students are also encouraged to acquire practical experience through
internships and service learning opportunities. For additional information regarding the
criminology major, students should consult an advisor in the Department of Sociology and
Criminology.
Criminology is a subfield of sociology that focuses on the scientific study of crime and how
it intersects with law and society. Specifically, how do structural factors in society like social
inequality and the legal order affect antisocial and deviant behavior?
As a field, criminology is relevant to the fields of legal studies, criminal justice and
social justice studies. It has practical application to the work of social control agencies and
many community-based organizations focused on protecting civil and human rights.
The criminology major examines important issues like conceptions of justice and social
control. It also provides an understanding of the social roots of:
- Crime
- Deviance
- Delinquency
- Crime control
- Victimization
Just as importantly, the major also examines how the related social policies related to these
problems can improve—or worsen—conditions for all members of society.
Career Oppotunities
Dominican’s Sociology/Criminology department prepares students for careers in social work,
social services, human resources, counseling, public administration, law, law enforcement and
general business.
The department also offers minors and encourages its students to complete minors in related
fields like social justice and civic engagement. Internships and service learning are vital
educational tools in sociology and criminology.
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