Why study social and criminal justice at CMU?

This program prepares students to make civic contributions as thoughtful, informed citizens and to engage in lifelong learning. Consider these key features distinguishing this program:

• An emphasis on community-based justice interventions for juveniles or adult offenders and victims
• Faculty members who contribute to the field as researchers, consultants, and practitioners
• An active internship program with placement in social, human service, and justice agencies
• A solid foundation for advanced professional and graduate education

Career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:

• Job opportunities in juvenile courts, youth services, and related fields will be best for college graduates with a degree in sociology or a related field.
• A degree or background in sociology are among the top qualifications in various fields where employment is expected to grow.
• Employment of police, detectives, and probation officers is expected to grow 9 to 17 percent.
• Employment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 18 to 26 percent.
• Criminal activity on the Internet, such as identity theft and illegal downloading, will increase the demand for private investigators.

Career options

Graduates with the social and criminal justice concentration at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.

• Community Corrections Officer
• Detective
• Juvenile Court Worker
• Police Officer
• Prison Counselor
• Private Investigator
• Probation or Parole Officer
• Social Services Specialist
• Social Worker
• Youth Services Director

Program Overview The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards. (Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.) Sociology Major, Social and Criminal Justice Concentration (15 hours) Required Courses I 3 SOC 100 Introductory Sociology Systematic introduction to the field of sociology, its theories, concepts, and methods. Explores social relationships within the context of social structure. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-B) 3 SOC 200 Introduction to Social Research and Analysis First in a two-part methods sequence with SOC 350. Basic research issues. Univariate, bivariate, multivariate analysis techniques in sociology and social work. Computer applications. Prerequisites: SOC 100; completion of math competency. 3 SOC 221 Social Problems Nature and extent of major social problems. Underlying general social processes and specific factors, as well as proposed solutions. Prerequisite: One 3-hour course from University Program Group III-B. (University Program Group IV-A) 3 SOC 302 Social Inequality Class, race, and gender and other forms of social strata. The bases, consequences, and correlates of position in the system of stratification. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221; or SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor. 3 SOC 350 Social Research Methodologies Second in methods sequence with SOC 200. Research methodologies. Observation and surveys; two from: experiments/single subject design; program evaluation; interviewing/focus groups; ethnography/community studies. Prerequisites: SOC 100; 200 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better; or for PSY majors, PSY 211 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better; six additional hours of sociology and/or social work. (3 hours) Required Courses II Select one of the following: 3 SOC 301 Sociological Theory A review of sociological thought within its social and historical context, focusing on Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and feminism. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221 3 SOC 501 Development of Sociological Theory In-depth analysis of classical sociological theory focusing on Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Mead. The historical and intellectual context in which these theorists wrote is emphasized. Prerequisites: SOC 100, 201, 221; or graduate standing. (21 hours) Required Courses III 3 SOC 220 Introduction to Social and Criminal Justice Components of the justice system. Social, criminal, and community-based focus. History, structure, functions, and philosophy of criminal justice system, and relationships to a just society. Prerequisite: SOC 100 3 SOC 222 Juvenile Delinquency Nature, distribution, social construction, and theories of delinquency. Social reactions to delinquency including development of juvenile court and actions of juvenile justice agencies. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 3 SOC 324 Criminology Nature, distribution, social construction, and theories of crime. Introduction to criminal justice processes. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 3 SOC 326 Inequalities and Justice Processes: Race, Class and Gender Empirical and theoretical critique of class, race, and gender inequalities in justice processes that impede effective solutions to social problems. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 3 SOC 523 Community Corrections and Alternative Sentencing Justice policies and practices of community corrections and alternative sentencing are featured, including intermediate sanctions, probation, parole, and prisoner reentry. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; SOC 220 and an additional 9 hours of social and criminal justice coursework; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program. 6 SOC 525 Internship in Social and Criminal Justice Supervised practical experience in a criminal or social justice organization. CR/ NC only. Prerequisites: SOC 523 with a grade of C or better; permission of the course instructor. (3 hours) Electives Select one of the following: 1-12 SOC 399 Special Topics in Sociology Consideration of subject matter not included in courses currently listed in catalog. 3 SOC 410/WST 410 Women, Crime and Deviance Theories and concepts fundamental to reconceptualizing women's relationships to crime and "deviance." Violence against women, women as victims and offenders, poverty, and "deviant" sexualities. Identical to WST 410. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: SOC 300, SOC 301; or signed Women's Studies major or minor. 3 SOC 422/SWK 422 Youth Welfare Issues pertaining to youth welfare are related to broader organizational and structural features of society, including historical and comparative (international) perspectives. Identical to SWK 422. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor; or SOC 100 and a signed Youth Studies Minor; or SOC 200, SOC 301, and SOC 350. 3 SOC 515 Custodial Institutions The structural organizational, and functional dimensions of custodial institutions in American society, emphasizing social process of jails, prisons, training schools, mental hospitals, and nursing homes. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or SOC 200, 350 or PSC 280; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program. 3 SOC 521 Advanced Study of Deviant Behavior Contemporary issues in deviance theory and research. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350, SOC 301; SOC 321; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program. 3 SOC 524 Sociology of Law The association of law and social justice, social organization, stratification, and social control. Current issues in justice, law, and conflict resolution. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 350 (or SOC 300); SOC 301; or graduate standing. 3 SOC 526 Police and Community Relations Community and police perceptions of police role in democratic society, police discretion, use of force, community policing, and related topics. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate program. 3 SOC 527 Community-Based Justice Interdisciplinary approach to community as locus of justice, and justice as locus of community. Review of intellectual heritage of community study; community development; peacebuilding practices. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 301, 350 or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program