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

About This Program

The Criminology and Justice Studies undergraduate major 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

• Manacy Pai | mpai@kent.edu | 330-672-3405
• 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:
  • Mostly online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Ashtabula Campus
  • East Liverpool Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark 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.

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 proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

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

POTA 11001 may count as a lower-division Criminology and Justice Studies (CRIM) elective.

⁴

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Additional category.

Graduation Requirements

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree* in the College of Sciences and Humanities must complete the following:

1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
2. One of the following options:
   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:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

*The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies is exempt from the foreign language requirement until fall 2028 due to its previous longstanding academic placement in the College of Communication and Information, which does not have a foreign language requirement.

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 courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

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
3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs 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 a particular language proficiency.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. 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.

Program Policies

Foreign Language Requirements

In general, students may elect any foreign language taught through the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies. However, certain majors, concentrations and minors require specific languages or limit the languages from which students may choose. In addition, students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular languages for that study. In such cases, students should seek the advice of the appropriate department before selecting a language.

Progress Toward Fulfillment

College of Sciences and Humanities students are encouraged to begin meeting the foreign language requirement as early as possible in their program to ensure timely degree completion.

Mandatory Outcomes Assessment

In addition to the other General Requirements of the college, candidates for an undergraduate degree in the College of Sciences and Humanities are required, as a condition of graduation, to participate in an outcomes assessment. These outcomes assessments are conducted by each undergraduate degree program in the College of Sciences and Humanities.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Justice Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime, law and justice. 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.

Consultations with faculty and advisors enable students to make informed choices about which combination of courses will maximize their preparation for future careers and graduate education. Such specializations include policing; corrections; victimology; law and society; criminology and deviance; and justice and human relations.

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.