College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Sociology and Criminology
www.kent.edu/sociology

PROGRAM REVISIONS ARE PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

About This Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies program combines coursework in law, psychology, sociology and other fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of crime and justice. With experienced faculty and opportunities for research and practical experience, this program prepares you for a successful career in a wide range of criminal justice roles. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Tiffany Taylor | ttaylo36@kent.edu | 330-672-9474
• Speak with an Advisor
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor: Kent Campus | Regional Campuses

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • All concentrations:
    Kent Campus
  • All concentrations except Victimology and Justice and Human Relations:
    Stark Campus
  • General–Criminology and Justice Studies concentration only:
    Ashtabula Campus
    East Liverpool Campus
    Salem Campus
    Trumbull Campus
    Tuscarawas Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

PROGRAM REVISIONS ARE PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Students declared in both the Psychology major and Criminology and Justice Studies major may substitute PSYC 21621 in place of SOC 32220 and SOC 32221.

³

One additional course taken from the Kent Core Basic Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Biological Sciences (BSCI), Chemistry (CHEM), Earth Sciences (ESCI), Geography (GEOG) or Physics (PHY). The course may not be from the student's major. 

⁴

One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (CRIM), Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major.

Corrections Concentration Requirements

¹

CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration.

Criminology and Deviance Concentration Requirements

General–Criminology and Justice Studies Concentration Requirements

¹

A maximum 6 credit hours of the following courses may be used to fulfill the concentration electives: CRIM 45093, CRIM 45096, CRIM 46792 and/or CRIM 46798. CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required.

²

PLST 36792 may not be used as a concentration elective.

Justice and Human Relations Concentration Requirements

¹

CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration. 

Law and Society Concentration Requirements

¹

CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration or major requirements. 

Policing Concentration Requirements

¹

CRIM 46792 is recommended; however, maximum 3 credit hours of the course may count toward the concentration or major requirements.

Victimology Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of upper-division courses in their declared concentration(s).

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.¹
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options²:

1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
2. Elementary I and II of a second language
3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:

• Intermediate I of the same language
• ARAB 21401
• ASL 19401
• CHIN 25421
• MCLS 10001
• MCLS 20001
• MCLS 20091
• MCLS 21417
• MCLS 21420
• MCLS 22217
• MCLS 28403
• MCLS 28404

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Communicate orally and in writing
2. Develop skills through experience
3. Have substantive knowledge in specific areas of the discipline, namely law, law enforcement, corrections, courts and diversity
4. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics
5. Describe theoretical issues related to the causes of crime and development of justice practices
6. Find and explain research in the field
7. Develop critical thinking skills

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Justice Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime, law and justice. Faculty members view crime, deviance and society’s response from the fields of sociology, political science, psychology and traditional criminal justice viewpoints. The curriculum provides a firm understanding of the basic institutions of the criminal justice system. Students are also exposed to criminological theory and diversity courses, which help them understand the complex relationship between the individual, society and the criminal justice system. The program stresses effective writing and analytical skills. Students are afforded the opportunity to earn credit through internship placements.

Students select at least one concentration in consultation with a faculty advisor or the undergraduate coordinator. Consultations with faculty enable students to make informed choices about which combination of courses will maximize their preparation for future careers and graduate education.

Criminology and Justice Studies students may apply early to the M.A. degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

The Criminology and Justice Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Corrections concentration is for students interested in pursuing careers in institutional corrections for adults or juveniles, or in such community corrections fields as probation and parole.
• The Criminology and Deviance concentration is for students interested in understanding the origins and nature of deviance and crime, their patterns and societal responses; this concentration is appropriate for students preparing for graduate study in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, public policy or social work.
• The General–Criminology and Justice Studies concentration is for students who either choose not to pursue specializations within the major or wish to pursue an individualized program of study (through general electives), which does not align with the other concentrations.
• The Justice and Human Relations concentration is for students interested in such fields as social work, counseling, clinical psychology, victimology, victim advocacy, juvenile justice, public/community relations in criminal justice, community organizing, diversity or social justice. (Interdisciplinary training and/or specialized graduate training are necessary for careers in many of those fields.)
• The Law and Society concentration is for students interested in the social relevance of law and social influences on law; this concentration is appropriate preparation for law school or graduate study in the social sciences.
• The Policing concentration is for students intending careers in law enforcement and other occupations related to security and public safety.
• The Victimology concentration is relevant for students interested in the scholarly study of crime victims, their treatment in the justice systems and programs that serve victims. It is useful for those interested in victim advocacy.