2023-2024 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum [Archived Catalog]
BA Criminology
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Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology degree prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies. Graduates may use the degree to begin their career in law enforcement, criminal law, victim services, corrections, or social work. The curriculum in criminology provides students with a psychology-oriented multidisciplinary approach to crime and criminal behavior, specifically familiarizing students with the primary ways professionals use to explain, predict and prevent crime and victimization.
Students may choose from the Generalist Track or Forensic Psychology Track.
Graduate level coursework taken as part of the Forensic Psychology Track may also be counted in the MA Forensic Psychology program should a student wish to continue their education at The Chicago School in that program.
The curriculum of the BA in Criminology degree is based on the content areas outlined by the Academic of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). The ACJS content areas are Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Law Adjudication, Law Enforcement, Research and Analytic Methods, and Diversity in Criminal Justice.
Program Philosophy
The BA Criminology program is designed to provide students with a multi-disciplinary psychological approach to crime and prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice related careers in the private sector, as well with government based agencies. Students will be able to apply learned criminological theories, concepts, and best practices.The program is designed to accommodate those who seek to complete their degree while effectively maintaining both their professional and personal commitments. This program provides an optional gateway to graduate programs in the field of psychology for those who chose the Counseling or Forensic Psychology specializations by preparing students to move into the MA Forensic Psychology program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the criminology major coursework, students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Acquire knowledge about the correlates to crime are and how to exhibit those in statistics and data methodology.
- Demonstrate knowledge in the field of criminology and the process of adult and juvenile offenders.
Diversity
- Students will be able to apply the knowledge on diversity factors that are related to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religious belief, and ability, to recognize injustices within the criminal justice system.
Professional Behavior
- Students will be able to employ ethical perspectives and judgements in applying ethical standards related to the application of criminal justice science.
- Incorporate and demonstrate strategies/solutions regarding the criminal justice system learned in the program through oral presentations and written work.
Scholarship
- Apply the principles of criminology research to the field of criminal justice and forensic psychology. Students will critically evaluate issues that arise in the criminal and juvenile justice system and discuss possible solutions.
Licensure
The BA Criminology program does not meet all of the requirements to be a licensed peace officer in the state of Minnesota.
Admission Requirements
For information on where The Chicago School is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/
Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree program. Generally, a high school cumulative GPA of a 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
- Completed application and $50 application fee
- Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral - high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned Associate degree. Information about acceptable proof of qualifying conferral can be found here.
Applicants with a cumulative high school or undergraduate GPA below 2.3 and applicants seeking admission with high school equivalency documentation that does not show a GPA (such as GED, homeschool, or testing) are required to submit additional documentation.
SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission. However, applicants who have taken the SAT/ACT may submit their scores to enhance their application.
Applicants to the BA Criminology program who have earned an Associate of Arts Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or related social or behavioral discipline will receive “block transfer” of all credits in that degree toward the BA. The evaluation of transfer credit for this purpose is subject to The Chicago School’s Transfer Credit Policy. Students may need to take additional General Education courses based on the regulatory requirements of their state of residence.
Students will be required to take all the courses in the major unless they receive transfer credit for a specific course (e.g., Social Problems); total credits must be at least 120 for graduation.
Applicant Notification
The Chicago School reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.
If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $100 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.
Policies
The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures :Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver.
Criminology Major Capstone
The CR 500 Capstone Project is designed to allow students the opportunity to integrate and apply learning from their undergraduate courses into a comprehensive presentation. The Capstone Course is an independent study project that consists of a formal research project, intended to demonstrate skill in research and critical thinking. The project is composed of a detailed research question and a literature review component. Students are encouraged to design projects that address gaps in the criminology literature as an important issue within the field of criminal justice, whether academic or professional. While no actual data is generated or data analyzed, the project is intended to incorporate and expand upon the depth of knowledge gained from previous years of study, and the student’s personal educational and professional interest as it pertains to the areas of criminology.
Ethical Guidelines
Students are expected to learn and to follow the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association, APA’s current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct for Psychologists during and after their work at The Chicago School, as well as the professional norms, standards, and guidelines relevant to the profession. A class in ethics is required, and student adherence to ethical codes is evaluated both formally and informally.
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