Criminal justice explores everything—from the sociological reasons behind crime—to the evaluation of public policies that respond to crime. Students with backgrounds in criminal justice are well-prepared for careers in social work, law enforcement and government intelligence.
Program Overview
Explore every aspect of the criminal justice system.
The Criminal Justice emphasis focuses on the three main institutions that make up the criminal justice system: crime, courts, and corrections. Through a dynamic blend of courses like Constitutional Law II and Psychopathology, you will critically examine the social constructions of social control and deviance, theories of crime and criminality, sentencing, punishment, alternate forms of punishment and rehabilitation.
To get a better sense of which career path you’ll want to take, industry professionals will teach some of your courses, including a law enforcement course taught by a local police detective and law courses taught by a chief district judge. Before graduating, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an internship in your area of interest including sheriff’s departments, police departments, domestic violence centers and other advocacy programs.
By the book
Students critically examine the social constructions of social control and deviance, theories of crime and criminality, sentencing, punishment, alternate forms of punishment and rehabilitation.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.
A minimum of 42 credits is required including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 301 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| SOC 225 | Self and Society | 3 |
| SOC 259 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SOC 285 | Criminology | 3 |
| SOC 302 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 310 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 349 | Law Enforcement | 3 |
| SOC 367 | Corrections | 3 |
| SOC 380 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
| SOC 498 | Capstone | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
PSY 200 | Statistics and Data Analysis | |
SOC 211 | Quantitative Research Methods | |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6-12 | |
GEOG 340 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | |
PSY 368 | Psychopathology | |
SOC 150 | Environmental Sociology | |
SOC 168 | Social Problems | |
SOC 303 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
SOC 320 | The Family | |
SOC 322 | Medical Sociology | |
SOC 323 | Cultural Studies | |
SOC 340 | Social Movements | |
SOC 350 | Deviance | |
SOC 351 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
SOC 355 | Drugs and Society | |
SOC 397 | Special Topics | |
SOC 399 | Internship in Sociology | |
SOC 492 | Independent Study | |
| Total Credits | 42-48 | |
Capstone Course Requirement
The following courses in the Sociology Major fulfill the capstone course requirement: SOC 498 CAPSTONE, or SOC 399 Internship in Sociology.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 225 | Self and Society | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 211 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 259 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Natural Sciences w/lab | 4 |
| MINOR | Minor of Interest | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Gen Ed | Natural Sciences w/lab | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| MINOR | Minor of Interest | 3 |
| SOC 285 | Criminology | 3 |
| SOC 150 or SOC 259 or SOC 285 or SOC 322 or SOC 397 or GEOG 340 |
Environmental Sociology (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply) or Introduction to Criminal Justice or Criminology or Medical Sociology or Special Topics or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Minor should be declared by the beginning of third year. | ||
| SOC 302 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 349 | Law Enforcement | 3 |
| SOC 380 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
| MINOR: Minor Course | 3 | |
| SOC 168 or SOC 259 or SOC 320 or SOC 323 or SOC 340 or SOC 350 or SOC 351 or SOC 355 or SOC 397 or GEOG 340 |
Social Problems (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply) or Introduction to Criminal Justice or The Family or Cultural Studies or Social Movements or Deviance or Juvenile Delinquency or Drugs and Society or Special Topics or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 310 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 367 | Corrections | 3 |
| MINOR | Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective | Elective | 6 |
| SOC 150 or SOC 259 or SOC 285 or SOC 322 or SOC 397 or GEOG 340 |
Environmental Sociology or Introduction to Criminal Justice or Criminology or Medical Sociology or Special Topics or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| MINOR | Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective | Elective | 9 |
| SOC 168 or SOC 259 or SOC 320 or SOC 323 or SOC 340 or SOC 350 or SOC 351 or SOC 355 or SOC 397 or GEOG 340 |
Social Problems (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply) or Introduction to Criminal Justice or The Family or Cultural Studies or Social Movements or Deviance or Juvenile Delinquency or Drugs and Society or Special Topics or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 301 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| SOC 498 | Capstone | 3 |
| MINOR | Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective | Elective | 9 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 126 | |
Spotlight
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“Having small classes makes it easier to bring real-life examples into our curriculum.”
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“I’m really happy with the route that I took. Western has afforded me opportunities that I don’t think I would have had anywhere else. I don’t think I would have had the same access to different resources at a bigger school.”
Careers
Take the first steps toward your dream career.
Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.
The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Get Involved
Take advantage of everything Western Colorado University has to offer.
A college education is more than just taking courses. Meet new people, apply your skills and stretch beyond your comfort zone. Make your education an experience.
- Alpha Kappa Delta: This is a society of scholars (undergraduate, graduate and professional) who promote excellence in sociology, conduct research on social problems and involve themselves in other activities that attempt to improve the human condition.
- Sociology Club: This student organization engages students in academic and social activities outside of the classroom.
Gaining an advantage
A Criminal Justice emphasis prepares you for work within the judicial system and gives you an edge in an industry that is more consistently requiring a degree.
News & Research
Department Information
Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department
Department Chairperson
Heather Thiessen-Reily, Ph.D.Professor of History
Administrative Assistant
Patricia McCarthyDepartment of Behavioral and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 240
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
