Sociology and Criminology, B.A.

Major and Minor

Sociology and criminology majors may elect to focus their study in one or more of the areas of expertise (concentrations) represented in the department. Depth of knowledge can be obtained by taking a larger portion of course work within one of these areas. Such focus, however, is not required, and students may elect to take a variety of courses in the field, as a broad education in sociology can be obtained in this manner.

SC 101 is usually taken in either the first or the sophomore year. Upper-division courses are advanced courses and should ordinarily be taken during junior and senior years. At the time that students declare their major, all who intend to declare sociology and criminology must make application to the department and meet with the department chair. 

Interdisciplinary Minors

Sociology and criminology majors and minors may also participate in a number of interdisciplinary minors, such as: Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies; Entrepreneurship; Catholic Studies; Peace, Justice, and Human Rights; and Population and Public Health. It is strongly recommended that students interested in these programs investigate them as early as possible in their academic careers. Interested students should refer to the pages for these programs for more information.

Core Requirements to be completed in the major - Additional Writing, Oral Presentation, and Capstone Experience

Please note select Core requirements must be completed in the major.   Students will find appropriate sociology courses marked with an AW in the course schedule, designating it as an additional writing-intensive course.  Sociology and criminology majors through completion of SC 352 (taken as a co-requisite with SC 351) fulfill the additional Oral Presentation requirement of the Integrative Core Curriculum.  The sociology and criminology courses that fulfill the Capstone Experience are marked “C”. 

Academic Study-Abroad Opportunities for Sociology and Criminology Students

The Department of Sociology and Criminology encourages its students to engage the world through a number of academic study-abroad opportunities: 1) interdisciplinary courses abroad offered in the summer by department faculty with other John Carroll faculty, e.g., SC 356 (Research in Japanese Society and Culture); or 2) study-abroad programs coordinated by the University’s Center for Global Education.

Service-Learning and Social Justice in the Sociology and Criminology Curriculum

The department is committed to service-learning and social justice issues with faculty and curriculum oriented to provide such opportunities for students. It provides preparation for service and promotes understanding of various issues related to social justice through SC 101, SC 111, SC 223, SC 235, SC 240, SC 255, SC 257, SC 265, SC 273, SC 300, SC 380, SC 385, SC 475, SC 494, SC 495 and many other courses. It also cooperates with other University offices in placing students for service-learning opportunities. See the department chair for full details. All of the above courses may not be certified as ISJ courses by the University Core Committee.  The student is strongly encouraged to refer to the list of approved Core courses to confirm that a course qualifies as an ISJ certified course.

Graduate Programs

Many graduates of the department have undertaken graduate study in sociology or criminology, and in a variety of related fields, such as anthropology, criminal justice, law, social work, counseling, public health, public policy, and nonprofit administration. The department encourages the intellectual development that makes graduate work possible. It also assists with graduate school application procedures. For more information, students should consult an academic advisor in the department.

The department is also a founding member and a participating department in the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration at John Carroll. The nonprofit administration program is intended for those who desire careers managing nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to people in need. It is an interdisciplinary professional degree program. Faculty from ten different departments of the University, including the Boler College of Business, offer course work in the program.

A special agreement with the Mandel School of Applied Sciences (M-SASS) at Case Western Reserve University enables qualified sociology and criminology majors to enroll in the M-SASS program after their junior year at John Carroll.  Successful completion of this two-year program results in a B.A. in sociology and criminology from John Carroll and a master’s in social work from Case Western Reserve University.  For details, including standards for eligibility, students should consult the chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology during their first year at John Carroll.

The department also supports a 3-3 Dual Admission Law Partnership between John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.  A student may obtain a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University followed by the Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University in six years.  The 3+3 Program is a non-traditional path that saves the student a total of one year in studies and expenses.  For details, please see the department chair, who will connect the student to the faculty member supervising the program.

Program Learning Goals in Sociology and Criminology

Students will:

1. Be able to engage in critical questioning about their society, its social structure, and the larger world in which they live.

2. Develop critical sociological thinking skills in: reasoning, theoretical analysis, interpretation of research findings, and the general ability to separate fact from misinformation in order to engage the institutions and cultures of the multiple societies in this global community.

3. Be able to engage in research of various types with the goals of answering questions and disseminating findings in oral and written forms about the nature of human society and its diversity, cultures, human interactions, social structure, and issues related to social justice.

4. Develop as whole persons with their completion of a successful educational program with its implications for continued learning and a successful work life, and a commitment to lifelong civic engagement.

Major Requirements

Students must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average. At least 21 hours in the major must be taken at John Carroll University. 

Required Courses

Subtotal: 13

An additional 8 courses

Of these 8 additional courses, 4 courses (12 credits) that must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students may take these eight courses in the four specialized concentrations within the Department of Sociology and Criminology or choose from a variety of sociology courses.

Subtotal: 24

Please note that students are required to take DATA 122 or PO 105 as a prerequisite for SC 351. This does not count toward the 37 major credit hour requirements. Students may choose one of four specialized concentrations in sociology to fulfill these hours. At least 21 hours in the major must be taken at John Carroll University. 

Total Credit Hours: 37

Specialized Concentrations in Sociology and Criminology

Sociology and criminology majors or minors may elect to focus attention on one of four specialized concentrations in sociology.  Fulfillment of the concentrations requires that all requirements and options within the concentrations be successfully completed.  In some cases, the requirements for a concentration may exceed the requirements for the sociology and criminology minor.  For students wanting to complete two concentrations, they may overlap two courses, which would be counted toward both concentrations.

Criminology, Law, and Justice (CR) concentration

The Criminology, Law, and Justice (CR) concentration is recommended for students interested in crime, law, police work, and criminal justice.  Internships are available to seniors in their spring semester, and students will be matched to an internship site based on their career interests.  Seniors interested in an internship should notify the department in September of their senior year. (Participation in an internship requires a 2.75 GPA.)  Concentration requirements are 18-19 credit hours.  The concentration consists of five tiers of courses.

Tier I: Introductory Courses (Select 1)

Tier II: Special Topics in Criminology (Select 1)

Tier III: Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion (Select 1)

Tier IV: Advanced Topics in Criminology (Select 1)

Tier V: Summary Courses in Criminology (Select 2)

All tiers must be completed to fulfill the requirements of this concentration.

Diversity, Justice and Social Change (DJSC) concentration

The Diversity, Justice and Social Change (DJSC) concentration is recommended for students seeking increased knowledge of diverse cultures. This concentration is especially useful for students considering furthering their education in anthropology, counseling, social work, or public health. Optional internships are available to seniors in their spring semester, in which students will be matched to an internship site based on their career interests. (Participation in an internship requires a 2.75 GPA.)  Students interested in an internship should notify the department in September of their senior year.  The concentration requires a total of 18-19 credit hours.

Additionally, students must select two of three diversity courses:

Finally, two additional elective courses noted above and:

Students must take two out of three of the justice and social change courses:

Social Work, Community and Health (SWCH) concentration

The Social Work, Community and Health (SWCH) concentration is recommended for students interested in counseling, social work, law, advocacy, public health, public policy, public administration, the environment, nonprofit administration, and other related careers.  Internships are required of seniors during their spring semester, and students will be assisted in being matched to an internship site based on their career interests.  Students needing an internship should notify the department in September of their senior year. (Participation in an internship requires a 2.75 GPA.  An additional 300/400 level course can be used by permission of the Chair, if unable to complete an internship.)

The concentration requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, consisting of four foundational courses:

And at least one of the following:

Forensic Behavioral Studies (FBSC) concentration

The Forensic Behavioral Studies (FBSC) concentration is recommended for students interested in forensics, law enforcement and criminal justice.  The concentration consists of 18-19  credit hours.  Internships are required of seniors during their spring semester, and students will be assisted in being matched to an internship site based on their career interests.  Students needing an internship should notify the department in September of their senior year.  (Participation in an internship requires a 2.75 GPA.  An additional 300/400 level course can be used by permission of the chair, if unable to complete an internship.)

The concentration consists of five required courses:

Please consult the department chair about questions and details regarding the concentrations.