Criminology and Criminal Justice (BA) - In Person or Online (Asynchronous)
Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
200,000+
Alumni from our Global Campuses
Students in the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program learn about crime, deviance, and the American criminal justice system. Working toward a BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice, students explore the issues of greatest interest to criminologists working in the field today. At Webster University, the criminology curriculum combines the fundamentals of criminology and criminal justice into one field of study. The courses focus on training in multiple data-analysis methods commonly used by criminologists and criminal justice professionals. Studying crime and deviance with a particular emphasis on critical-thinking skills, students learn the ways professionals explain, predict, and prevent crime and victimization.
“Being inside has a major impact on the mental health of someone; I want to prepare people for a positive life after imprisonment.”
Kia Wyatt
BA in Criminology, ‘21
Points of Distinction
- Faculty members are professionals currently working in the field of criminology and criminal justice who can bring real-world experience and the latest theories and practice to the classroom.
- Students can take specialized courses in transnational crime, terrorism, and homeland security at a global university with a truly transnational perspective.
- Students have an opportunity to supplement coursework for the major in diverse fields such as human rights; cybersecurity; sociology; women, gender and sexuality studies; and cultural anthropology.
- Students have numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects.
Details of Webster's Criminology and Criminal Justice degree programs
The 43 credit hours required for the criminology and criminal justice major include the following courses:
Core Courses
- CRIM 1050 Introduction to Criminology (3 hours)
OR CRIM 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours) - CRIM 1800 Careers in Criminology and Crime Prevention (1 hour)
- CRIM 3300 Theories of Crime and Justice (3 hours)
- ANSO 2850 Introduction to Research Methods (3 hours)
OR PSYC 2850 Introduction to Research Methods (3 hours) - LEGL 3500 Criminal Litigation (3 hours)
or CRIM 3500 Criminal Procedure and the Constitution (3 hours) - CRIM 4900 Senior Capstone in Criminology (3 hours)
27 credit hours from the following:
- Any course with the CRIM prefix
- ANSO 1050 Global Social Problems (3 hours)
- ANSO 2015 Issues in Society and Culture: Law and Society (3 hours)
- ANSO 2300 Social Movements (3 hours)
- ANSO 2760 Urban Studies (3 hours)
- HRTS 3500 International Human Rights Law (3 hours)
- INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
- LEGL 2080 Topics in Law (3 hours)
- LEGL 2400 Introduction to Law (3 hours)
- LEGL 4602 International Criminal Law: A Human Rights Perspective (3 hours)
- LEGL 4605 Constitutional and International Issues: Human Trafficking and Slavery (3 hours)
- PSYC 2250 Adolescent Psychology (3 hours)
- PSYC 3125 Abnormal Psychology (3 hours)
- PSYC 3450 Psychology and the Law (3 hours)
- PSYC 3600 Social Psychology (3 hours)
- PSYC 4550 Drugs and Chemical Dependency (3 hours)
- WGST 2620 Women and the Law (3 hours)
- WGST 3230 Domestic Violence (3 hours)
- A minimum of three hours in a non-native language is required in addition to the requirements for the major. Courses used toward the international language requirement may also be used to fulfill general education requirements or a major/minor in a foreign language.
- Transfer students who have completed their 3 credits at an institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled the requirement, as are students who have scored a "3" or higher on an Advanced Placement exam in a non-native language.
- For students whose native language is not English, a passing grade on the TOEFL will count as their foreign language requirement. Students who are from bilingual families but have no evidence of academic study of the second language on a transcript will need to take one course.
The 18-credit hour minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides students with a multidisciplinary approach to crime and deviance, with particular emphasis on providing the critical thinking skills that enable students to explain, predict and prevent crime and victimization.
Required Core Courses
- CRIM 1050 Introduction to Criminology (3 hours)
OR CRIM 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)
Elective Courses
15 hours from any of the following electives:
- Any course with the CRIM prefix not listed above
- LEGL 2400 Introduction to Law (3 hours)
- LEGL 3500 Criminal Litigation (3 hours)
- PSYC 3125 Abnormal Psychology (3 hours)
- PSYC 4550 Drugs and Chemical Dependency (3 hours)
- ANSO 1050 Global Social Problems (3 hours)
- WGST 3230 Domestic Violence (3 hours)
Recommended Course
- ANSO 2850 Introduction to Research Methods (3 hours)
Alumni Success and Job Outlook
- Jobs for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are predicted to increase 4% through 2030. As of May 2021, the median annual pay for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is $60,250 (U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics).
- Jobs for police and detectives are predicted to increase 7% through 2030. As of May 2021, the median annual pay for police and detectives is $66,020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics).
Get Started on Your Program
Take the next step toward earning your degree. We are here to help.
Apply
Apply to Webster and take the next steps for financial aid and scholarships.
Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More
If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or send an email to admit@webster.edu.