Program Description

The program examines the scientific study of crime, including the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control and treatment of crime and delinquency. The degree is designed to give students an introduction to the field. Courses focus on the characteristics and causes of crime and deviance and on the origins, nature and consequences of societal reactions to crime and deviance, giving particular attention to the criminal justice system. Basic instruction is also given in sociological theory and research methods.

Career and Educational Advancement Opportunities

The program will prepare students for completing a bachelor's degree. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all pre-admission course work and cumulative grade point average of 2.25 for regular admission to the criminology major. The program is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue one of the following career options: A) Graduate work in the social sciences with a special emphasis on criminology or criminal justice; B) A career in criminal justice (e.g. law enforcement, corrections or crime prevention), especially in agencies or departments involved in planning and evaluation; and C) A career in law, social work or counseling.

Contact and Advising Information

Information about the associate of arts in criminology program is available from Advisement Center at 505.925.8560 or vcadvise@unm.edu, or the Academic Affairs Office at 505.925.8600.

Course Prerequisites

Students must meet prerequisites in English and mathematics by achievement of minimum placement scores on the Accuplacer or ACT or through completion of course work.

Course: ENGL 100 and FYEX 1110 or equivalent – or place into ENGL 1110;

ACCUPLACER/ACT Minimum Scores: 263+/19+

Course: MATH 1215 or MATH 1215X, MATH 1215Y and MATH 1215Z – or place into MATH 1350;

ACCUPLACER/ACT Minimum Scores: 233+ (A&F)/20

Degree Requirements

Communication (6 credits)
ENGL 1120 (Composition II) 3
3
Select an additional course from COMM 1130, ENGL 2120, ENGL 2210, or PHIL 1120.
*Students who do not place into ENGL 1120 may apply the credit hours from the prerequisite ENGL 1110 (or its equivalent ENGL 1110 Y or Z) to help fulfill the Student Choice area requirements below.
Mathematics and Statistics (3 credits)
MATH 1350 (Introduction to Statistics)3
Physical and Natural Sciences (4 credits)
4
Select one course from the UNM Core Curriculum in Physical and Natural Sciences, which must include a lab.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
3
Select one course from the UNM Core Curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences (except those required in the Criminology major requirements).
Humanities (3 credits)
3
Select one course from the UNM Core Curriculum in Humanities.
Second Language (3 credits)
3
Select one course from the UNM Core Curriculum in Second Language.
Arts and Design (3 credits)
3
Select one course from the UNM Core Curriculum in Arts and Design
Student Choice (6 credits)
6
Select two additional General Education courses from two of the different areas above. Students who do not place into ENGL 1120 may apply the credit hours from the prerequisite ENGL 1110 (or its equivalent ENGL 1110 Y or Z) to help fulfill this area.
Criminology Core Requirements (15 credits)
SOCI 1110 (Introduction to Sociology)3
SOCI 2120 (Introduction to the Criminal Justice System)3
SOCI 2210 (Sociology of Deviance)3
SOCI 2310 (Contemporary Social Problems)3
SOCI 2315 (Dynamics of Prejudice)3
Elective requirements (15 credits)
Choose 15 credit hours. 9 of the 15 elective credit hours should be within the same academic field.
Total required (61 credits)