Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-BS-CLS-HSJ
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. The BS degree provides students a focused approach, requiring more courses within the field of criminology. Students who earn the BS degree either gain work experience in a criminal justice agency or complete a minor in a related field to enhance their study of justice.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
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.
To receive this concentration, students complete 5 courses (15 credits) chosen from:
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CRIM 306 | Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 |
| CRIM 315 | Research Methods and Analysis in Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 424 | Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights | 3 |
| CRIM 495 | Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select either 15 credits of internship or a minor: | 15-20 | |
| Internship | ||
|
CRIM 479& CRIM 480
|
Preparation for Internship and Internship |
|
| Minor in a Related Field | ||
| Total Credits | 15-20 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select ten electives from the following: 1 | 30 | |
| Introduction to Criminology | ||
| Introduction to Law and Society | ||
| Introduction to Homeland Security | ||
| Public Law and the Judicial Process | ||
|
or GOVT 301
|
Public Law and the Judicial Process | |
| Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System | ||
| Sociology of Delinquency | ||
| Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | ||
| Crime and Crime Policy | ||
| Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice | ||
| Human Rights and Justice | ||
| Introduction to the Intelligence Community | ||
| Intelligence Analysis Techniques | ||
| Crime and Place | ||
| Hate Crime | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Applied Criminal Psychology | ||
| Policing in America | ||
| Punishment and Corrections | ||
| Community Corrections | ||
| Crime Victims and Victimization | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Family Law and the Justice System | ||
| Advanced Topics in Law and Society | ||
| Criminal Courts | ||
| Community Policing | ||
| Criminal Investigations | ||
| Innovations in Policing | ||
| Controversial Legal Issues | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
|
or GOVT 423
|
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | |
| Criminal Justice Management | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | ||
|
or GOVT 460
|
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | |
| Law Enforcement and Homeland Security | ||
| Prevention and Deterrence of Crime | ||
| Theory and Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Study Abroad | ||
| Special Topics 2 | ||
| Honors Seminar I | ||
| RS: Honors Seminar II | ||
| Research Practicum | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Family Law and Public Policy | ||
| Human Trafficking and Smuggling 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 |
Students may select an optional concentration to fulfill a portion of this required elective credit. |
| 2 |
A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major. |
Criminology, law and society majors have the option of obtaining a concentration with 15 of their 30 elective credits. Students can pursue only one concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
| Introduction to Homeland Security | ||
| Introduction to the Intelligence Community | ||
| Intelligence Analysis Techniques | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | ||
|
or GOVT 460
|
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | |
| Law Enforcement and Homeland Security | ||
| Theory and Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Study Abroad (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) | ||
| Special Topics (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) 1 | ||
| Honors Seminar I (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) | ||
| RS: Honors Seminar II (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) | ||
| Research Practicum (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) | ||
| Independent Study (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) | ||
| Human Trafficking and Smuggling 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| 1 |
A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major. |
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). Students should complete ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core) before taking the writing-intensive course in the major or take the two courses simultaneously.
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (ENGH 101) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Western Civilization/World History | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communications (ENGH 302) | 3 | |
| Writing-Intensive 1 | 3 | |
| Synthesis/Capstone 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 |
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core. |
| 2 |
Minimum 3 credits required. |