Our new minor in Criminology is open to all majors at the University of Arizona and will give you an important foundation for pursuing careers and post-graduate studies in criminology, sociology, law or justice.
What is Criminology?
Criminology is a sub-field within Sociology that examines the definitions, forms, causes, and societal reactions to norm-violating and criminal behavior. The Criminology minor provides a foundation to supplement your major area of study by facilitating the development of a substantive knowledge base and critical thinking skillset. The curriculum also provides an important foundation for if you are interested in pursuing graduate studies in criminology, sociology, law, or justice.
The required and elective “core” courses for the minor offer an introduction to criminology, juvenile delinquency, policing & society, and the sociology of rights, justice, & the law, while the electives provide additional exposure to various forms of social inequality as well as the study of crime, deviance, and social control.
Declaring the Minor
To declare your minor as Criminology, you can fill out our declare minor form and schedule an appointment with School of Sociology advisor John McNeil.
Minor Requirements
The minor in Criminology requires a minimum of 18 units. At least 9 units of upper division coursework.
Core Courses (9 credits)
Take the following required course (3 credits):
- SOC/PA 342: Criminology
Take at least two courses from the following list (all are 3 credits):
- PA/SOC 241: Criminal Justice Administration
- SOC/PA 339: Policing & Society
- SOC/PA 341: Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 345: Sociology of Rights, Justice, and the Law
Social Inequality Electives (3 credits)
Take at least one course from the following list (all are 3 credits):
- SOC/GWS 222: Gender Identities, Interactions and Relationships
- SOC/AFAS 260: Ethnic Relations in the United States
- SOC 325: Men and Masculinities
- SOC 432: Urban Community
- SOC/ANTH 450: Social Inequality
- SOC 459: Sociology of Gender
- SOC/AFAS/AINS/ANTH/BLS/MAS 467: Race & Ethnic Relations
Crime, Deviance, and Social Control Electives (6 credits)
Take at least two courses from the following list (all are 3 credits):
NOTE: Electives must be different from those taken as “core” courses
- PSY 240: Developmental Psychology
- SOC/PA 241: Criminal Justice Administration
- PA/SOC 338: Guns in America
- SOC/PA 339: Policing & Society
- SOC/PA 341: Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 345: Sociology of Rights, Justice, and the Law
- LAS 348: Drug Wars and Oil Fortunes in Latin America
- HIST/SOC/PA 349: Histories of Crime in America, 1607 – Present
- LAS 354: Drugs and Violence in Mexico
- SOC 393: Internship (up to 3 credits)
- SOC 414: Sociology of Terrorism
- CHS/SOC 421: Sociology of Drugs and Addiction
- SOC 440: Transnational Crime
- PA/SOC 446 Crime and Public Policy
- SOC 447: Explaining Deviance
- SOC 499: Independent Study
- PA 450: Crime Measurement