Program Overview

Criminology, Law and Society, BA

The BA in Criminology, Law and Society provides a focused study of the justice system and social, human, and moral problems raised in the justice field. This course of study prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, investigations, juvenile justice, private and homeland security, and related social and human services.

Overview

The BA in Criminology, Law and Society is well-suited for students who wish to study the field while branching out into related areas of study.

Policies

• Students pursuing this degree must complete 42 credits within the major, with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
• Students may apply a maximum of 18 credits of transferable ADJ courses from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) or comparable courses at another community college to fulfill the degree requirements.
• Once a student matriculates at Mason, no courses may be taken at another institution without prior written approval from the program and the dean.
• No more than 12 credits of CRIM 485 Study Abroad can be applied to the major.
• No more than 15 credits of CRIM 490 Special Topics can be applied to the major.

Degree Requirements

• Total credits: minimum 120 credits
• Core Courses in the Major:
  • CRIM 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • CRIM 306: Criminal Justice Ethics (3 credits)
  • CRIM 315: Research Methods and Analysis in Criminology (3 credits)
  • CRIM 424: Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights (3 credits)
  • CRIM 495: Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• Electives in the Major:
  • Select nine electives from the following (27 credits)
    • CRIM 210: Introduction to Criminology
    • CRIM 220: Introduction to Law and Society
    • CRIM 230: Introduction to Homeland Security
    • CRIM 301: Public Law and the Judicial Process
    • CRIM 302: Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System
    • CRIM 304: Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
    • CRIM 305: Crime and Crime Policy
    • CRIM 307: Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
    • CRIM 308: Human Rights and Justice
    • CRIM 310: Introduction to the Intelligence Community
    • CRIM 312: Intelligence Analysis Techniques
    • CRIM 320: Crime and Place
    • CRIM 325: Hate Crime
    • CRIM 350: Counterintelligence
    • CRIM 400: Applied Criminal Psychology
    • CRIM 401: Policing in America
    • CRIM 402: Punishment and Corrections
    • CRIM 403: Community Corrections
    • CRIM 404: Crime Victims and Victimization
    • CRIM 405: Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
    • CRIM 406: Family Law and the Justice System
    • CRIM 407: Advanced Topics in Law and Society
    • CRIM 408: Criminal Courts
    • CRIM 409: Community Policing
    • CRIM 410: Criminal Investigations
    • CRIM 411: Innovations in Policing
    • CRIM 415: Guns and Crime in America
    • CRIM 421: International Crimes and Accountability
    • CRIM 422: Controversial Legal Issues
    • CRIM 423: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
    • CRIM 425: Criminal Justice Management
    • CRIM 430: Criminal Law
    • CRIM 460: Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
    • CRIM 462: Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
    • CRIM 471: Prevention and Deterrence of Crime
    • CRIM 475: Theory and Politics of Terrorism
    • CRIM 479: Criminology: College to Career
    • CRIM 485: Study Abroad
    • CRIM 490: Special Topics
    • CRIM 491: Honors Seminar I
    • CRIM 492: RS: Honors Seminar II
    • CRIM 498: Research Practicum
    • CRIM 499: Independent Study
    • HDFS 401: Family Law and Public Policy
    • INTS 417: Human Trafficking and Smuggling
    • SOCI 302: Sociology of Delinquency
• Optional Concentration in the Major:
  • Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)
  • Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)
  • Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in criminology, law and society fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CRIM 495 Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society (Mason Core).

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

• Philosophy or Religious Studies:
  • Select 3 credits from the following:
    • PHIL
    • RELI
• Social and Behavioral Sciences:
  • Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement):
    • ANTH
    • CRIM
    • ECON
    • GOVT
    • HIST
    • LING
    • PSYC
    • SOCI
• Foreign Language:
  • Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by:
    • Completing 3 credits in a foreign language (including American Sign Language) numbered 202 or higher taught in the language
    • Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test
• Non-Western Culture:
  • Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global contexts)

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Program Outcomes

1. Acquire core knowledge of Criminology, Law and Society:
   • Students will develop core knowledge about the organization and operation of various institutions administering justice, such as police, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, as well as constitutional law and criminal justice ethics that serve as the foundation for these and other justice institutions.
2. Acquire more specific knowledge of a variety of topics in criminology, law and society:
   • Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives in CLS, including classes related to theories of criminology, law and society, judicial processes and the law, human rights and social justice, intelligence and homeland security, juvenile justice, criminal psychology, policing, crime prevention, contemporary justice issues and reforms, and leadership.
3. Acquire a broader liberal arts knowledge in relation to the justice system:
   • Students will receive an additional 18 credits of liberal arts education in related fields to help contextualize their learning in the broader liberal arts and social science areas.
4. Develop written communication:
   • Students will learn how to effectively communicate in writing through papers and exams, which require students to analyze, synthesize, and apply what they have learned.
5. Understand and apply research methods:
   • Students will learn about basic research methods used in the study of criminology, law and society, to not only be able to digest research in the field, but also consider using research and analysis tools to answer key questions in criminology, law and society.
6. Develop critical thinking skills:
   • Students will demonstrate an ability to think critically about crime and the justice system through course offerings and have the opportunity to analyze contemporary justice problems and reforms.
7. Be able to synthesize across skills and education:
   • The required Capstone course in CLS is a writing-intensive course that allows students to exercise and showcase the skills they have learned throughout their degree.

Honors in the Major

Highly-qualified students may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Students admitted to the honors program in the major take a two-course sequence: CRIM 491 Honors Seminar I and CRIM 492 RS: Honors Seminar II. To graduate with honors in criminology, law and society, students must complete both courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the two courses.