Sociology & Political Science
Criminology and Criminal Justice Program of Study
B.S. in Sociology, Criminology/Criminal Justice Track
Criminology and Criminal Justice at Tennessee Tech is part of the Department of Sociology and Political Science (SOC-CRCJ). The concentration allows students to gain an understanding of the making of criminal laws, the breaking of criminal laws, and society’s reaction to the breaking of laws (criminology) and the 3 core areas of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Students will also examine criminal procedure as part of the program.
There are three primary goals for this concentration:
- To provide a professional education within a liberal arts framework and with a sociological foundation
- To endorse an understanding of the relationships between social control, social structure, and the criminal justice system.
- To allow flexibility for career alternatives while providing a core of substantive criminology and criminal just coursework
The study of criminology and criminal justice is offered as a concentration with the sociology major. Students within the concentration learn about sociological theory, research methodology, and data analysis alongside the criminology and criminal justice curriculum. Students will take courses in criminology, policing, corrections, criminal procedure, and youth justice with several other course options including social deviance, crime and media, victimology, cybercrime, violence in the US, white-collar crime, and sexual offenses and offenders, among others. Though not a requirement, many students have taken advantage of opportunities to complete internships with local agencies and state agencies, including Cookeville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
To complete the criminology and criminal justice concentration:
In addition to the required core of 27 hours, students will also be required to take:
CJ 2660 Criminology (3hrs)
CJ 2700 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3hrs)
CJ 2850 Criminal Law & Procedure (3hrs)
CJ 3650 Juvenile Delinquency (3hrs)
CJ 3610 Adv. Criminal Procedure (3hrs)
CJ 4660 Corrections (3hrs)
PHIL 1030: Intro. to Phil. (3hrs)
POLS 1000 American Government (3hrs)
Students will compete an additional 12 hours of elective courses at the upper division
level chosen from courses with a sociology, criminal justice, or social work prefix.
The SOC/CRCJ major includes 36 upper division hours.
Total hours in the major: 63.
Total hours of sociology/SW/CJ courses: 45-54.
Total hours required for graduation: 120 (at least 36 hours must be upper division [3000 or 4000 level]).
CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM PLAN
- Student Organizations
Sociology & Criminal Justice Club
The Sociology and Criminal Justice Club exists to further the academic and career development of any student, that also includes just getting together and having a good time on occasion. We sponsor social activities, guest speakers, field trips, conference trips and much, much more. We also provide a forum in which students can exchange information on courses, job prospects, and the like. To join, contact one of the officers or the faculty advisor ($5 annual fee).
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Haynes
Alpha Phi Sigma
Alpha Phi Sigma is the national honor society for criminology and criminal justice. The purpose of Alpha Phi Sigma is to honor, promote leadership, and support unity for all National and Locally recognized Criminology and Justice Studies Honor students.
Alpha Phi Sigma was recognized by ACJS as the official Criminal Justice Honor Society in 1976 and was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1981.
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences is the largest and most rapidly growing professional organization in the scholarly fields of criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis. The objective of ACJS have been to promote scholarly and professional activities within the discipline of criminal justice and to aid in the employment and research interests of past, present and future educators and practitioners.
- Academic Conferences
- Graduate Program Information
Graduate Programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Tennessee Knoxville
- MA in Sociology with a Criminology Concentration
- PhD in Sociology with a Criminology Concentration
- MA in Criminal Justice
East Tennessee State University
- MA in Criminal Justice & Criminology (on-campus or online)
- Graduate Certificate in Forensic Document Examination (FDEX)
Middle Tennessee State University
- Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
- Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
- MS in Criminal Justice (online)
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- MS in Criminal Justice
Tennessee Technological University
- Master of Professional Studies, Public Safety Concentration (not part of the Department of Sociology and Political Science)
- Additional Resources
Agency Information
Criminology and Criminal Justice Research Resources
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr
National Crime Victimization Survey
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
National Archive of Criminal Justice Data
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Law Enforcement Resources
Law Enforcement Links
Nashville (Metro) Police Department
Corrections Sites
