Program Overview

Academic Program Guide

Criminology - Criminal Justice

The Criminology/Criminal Justice major is an interdisciplinary field of study that includes contributions and approaches from many social and behavioral sciences, as well as areas of study such as law and ethics, as they relate to the phenomenon of crime. This major prepares students for employment in a wide variety of criminal justice agencies, under local, state, and federal jurisdictions, as well as the private sector. It can also serve as a foundation for graduate study in criminology, law, social work, sociology, psychology, and government, including public administration.

Program Requirements

• Students who earn 3 or more grades of less than C minus in any Criminology courses that count for the major will not be permitted to continue in the major nor earn a Criminology degree from Florida State University.
• The program requires face-to-face/in-person instruction, available only at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL, but it is also available via Online/Distance Learning to all FSU students.

Sample Schedule and Required Milestones

The following is a term-by-term sample course schedule with milestones designed to keep students on track to graduate in four years.

Term 1

• Sample Schedule:
  • ENC1101 Freshman Composition (3 hours)
  • 1st GE Core Mathematics (3 hours)
  • GE Core Natural Science with Lab (4 hours)
  • GE Core Social Science (3 hours)
  • Elective (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete ENC1101 ( C minus)
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 2

• Sample Schedule:
  • ENC2135 Research, Genre, and Context (3 hours)
  • 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics (STA1013 or 2122) (3 hours)
  • GE History (3 hours)
  • CGS2060 Computer Fluency (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete ENC2135 ( C minus)
  • Complete 1st GE Mathematics course ( C minus)
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 3

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • GE Core Humanities/Cultural Practice (3 hours)
  • GE Natural Science (3 hours)
  • Ethics course (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
  • Elective (1 hour)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics course ( C minus)
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 4

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Oral Communication Competency course (3 hours)
  • GE Social Science (3 hours)
  • GE Humanities/Cultural Practice (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete one elective/minor course
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 5

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete first Criminology core ( C)
  • Complete one elective/minor course
  • Civic Literacy requirement
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 6

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete second Criminology core ( C)
  • Complete one elective/minor course
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 7

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete third Criminology core ( C)
  • Complete elective/minor course
  • Complete Pre-graduation Check
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Term 8

• Sample Schedule:
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Criminology course (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
  • Elective/minor (3 hours)
• Required Milestones:
  • Complete fourth Criminology core ( C)
  • Apply for graduation in the first two weeks
  • GPA 2.00 and in good academic standing

Employment Information

Representative job titles related to this major include:

• Law Enforcement Officer
• Youth Counselor (state level or private agency)
• Probation Officer
• Parole Officer (adult or juvenile setting)
• Correctional Counselor
• Prison Case Manager
• Administrator (criminal/juvenile justice agencies)
• Consumer Safety Officer
• Correctional Officer
• Private Investigator
• Private/Corporate Security Officer/Director
• Air Marshal
• Legislative Analyst
• Research Analyst
• Data Manager

Representative employers include:

• Juvenile justice agencies (state, local, private)
• Probation and parole offices
• U.S. Department of Justice
• State and local correctional institutions
• U.S. Customs
• Immigration/Border Patrol
• Local police and sheriff departments
• Colleges and universities
• Private detective agencies
• Business and industry
• Private correctional corporations
• Legislative branch of state government
• Central Intelligence Agency
• Federal Bureau of Investigation

International study is available for all students and may include coursework towards various majors and minors. However, international study may have an impact on the program map, so it is essential to consult with the academic advisor before participating.