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Aug 22, 2025
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook
BA Criminology
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Return to: Programs of Study
Distance Learning
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 the Forensic Psychology, Public Health or Legal Studies specialization Tracks.
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.
Graduate level coursework taken as part of the Public Health Track may also be counted in the Master of Public Health program should a student wish to continue their education at The Chicago School in that program.
Graduate level coursework taken as part of the Legal Studies Track may also be counted in the Master of Business, Law and Technology program should a student wish to continue their education at the Colleges of Law 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 Disclosures
For information on where The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/admissions/licensure-disclosures/.
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 an Institutionally 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.
Articulation Agreements
The Chicago School has established agreements between the BA Criminology program and the programs listed below to allow qualified students to enroll in master’s level courses while completing their bachelor’s degree that will then count toward the master’s degree. Click on the link of the program that interests you for details.
Early Acceptance into MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Degree Completion Requirements
Completion of 120 credit hours to include:
- Successful completion of General Education requirements as listed
- Successful completion of Core Curriculum as listed
- Successful completion of Criminology Major Capstone
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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The Curriculum
Criminology Major Required Core (39 credit hours)
General Education
- General Education: 44 credit hours
- Students entering with an AA or AS degree may have this requirement waived
- Total number of general education credits to be completed at The Chicago School depends on transfer credit as evaluated per The Chicago School transfer credit policy
General Electives
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16 credit hours
- Total number of elected credits to be completed at The Chicago School depends on transfer credit as evaluated per The Chicago School Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy
- General electives may be filled with courses from any undergraduate program where a student has met the necessary pre-requisites. Course lists can be found on each program’s Program of Study page in the academic catalog. A list of programs The Chicago School offers can be found here.
Tracks (21 credit hours)
Incoming students will automatically be enrolled in the Criminology Generalist Track (21 credit hours)
Students who wish to enroll in the specializations with graduate-level courses must meet these standards to qualify:
Qualified students may select from one of the following tracks:
- Forensic Psychology Specialization Track (20 credit hours) plus 1 credit hour elective from Generalist Track
- Public Health Specialization Track (18 credit hours) plus 3 credit hours (one elective) from Generalist Track
- Legal Studies Track (9 credit hours) plus 12 credit hours electives
Program Total:
120 Credit Hours
Criminology Major Required Core
39 credit hours
Criminology Generalist Track (21 Credit Hours)
Students will complete two core Criminology Track courses and select up to 15 credit hours from electives.
Electives
Criminology Generalist Track students must select up to 15 credit hours to complete their track. Students in the other two tracks can use these electives to meet their General Education Elective requirement.
Forensic Psychology Specialization (21 Credit Hours)
All core courses will associate with both the MA Forensic Psychology, Professional Counselor Licensure program and the MA Applied Forensic Psychology Program. See course lists below for choices in those programs to complete the specialization.
CORE COURSES - 11 Credit Hours
Legal Studies Specialization (21 Credit Hours)
This specialization is delivered through a consortium agreement with The Colleges of Law .
Students in this track will complete 9 credit hours in this specialization plus 12 credit hours selected from the Criminology Generalist Track.
Public Health Specialization (21 Credit Hours)
Students in this track will compete 18 credit hours in the specialization plus 3 credit hours selected from the Criminology Generalist Track.
General Education for Baccalaureate Programs
The General Studies courses for bachelor’s programs at The Chicago School consist of three (3) categories: 1) General Education requirements, 2) Interdisciplinary Studies courses, and 3) General Electives.
The Chicago School’s bachelor’s programs share a common core of 44 credit hours of general education requirements, including a capstone experience. The coursework is designed to meet general education requirements in all 50 states and the District of Columbia while providing the groundwork for success in the following years of study of the Bachelor’s Degree.
Students residing in Florida must complete a total of 45 credit hours of general education requirements, which may be fulfilled by taking an additional course from the general education course offerings.
General Education Courses are all delivered in an online format.
Student Success Seminar (3 Credit Hours Required)
All undergraduate students, as a part of the general education requirements will complete the SEM 100 Pathways to Success course (or the BA305 or CR305 course equivalent) except for those who transfer into the institution with an earned associate degree from an accredited institution.
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses
Interdisciplinary studies courses are designed to be taken by students from various academic disciplines. These courses may be required or otherwise serve as elective course options within a program of study or within the general studies curriculum. Review the academic catalog for the specific requirements within an academic program of study.
General Education Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the general education coursework, students will be able to:
Professional Practice
- Technology and Innovation: Apply technology to enhance learning, collaboration, and application of knowledge in academic and professional settings.
Diversity
- Valuing and Understanding Difference: Analyze historical and social contexts that shape cultural values and belief systems to enrich discourse and promote ethical, inclusive, and respectful environments.
Professional Behavior
- Contemporary Issues and Social Responsibility: Analyze complex global challenges to understand their implications, assess and propose solutions, and collaborate with diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
Scholarship
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Effective Communication: Demonstrate skills to communicate effectively in written and oral format, within and across academic, professional, and social contexts.
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Written: Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas in writing, tailoring their message to the specific audience and purpose.
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Oral: Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas orally, tailoring their message to the specific audience and purpose.
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Reading: Students will be able to critically read and comprehend texts through the analysis of information and synthesis of ideas to inform judgments.
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Information Literacy: Evaluate the credibility and purpose of information in the application of research and communication.
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Critical Thinking: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of evidence presented to identify underlying assumptions, biases, and logical fallacies in the pursuit of creative problem-solving in diverse academic and real-world contexts.
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Quantitative Literacy: Apply mathematical concepts to effectively interpret data, solve problems, and draw evidence-based conclusions in various real-world contexts.
General Education Capstone
The CAP 200 Introduction to Research Methods course serves as an introduction to various research methodologies and techniques. This course helps set a foundation for students to apply learned knowledge of research approaches in future program of study courses, the workforce, and their communities at large. During the course, students will demonstrate their knowledge by completing a research proposal signature assignment. All undergraduate students will complete this course except for those who transfer into the institution with an earned associate degree from an accredited institution.
General Education Required Core (44 Credit Hours)
Writing and Communication (9 Credit Hours)
English courses develop a student’s communication skills by enhancing their understanding of how language works. Students will refine their written and oral communication through the lens of rhetoric, focusing on practical reasoning and organization. These courses also strengthen a student’s ability to discover, critically evaluate, and report information, while improving their reading, writing, and listening skills. For students transferring credits, accepted courses must be in English composition and public speaking or communication.
Students must complete nine (9) credit hours of Writing and Communication coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Humanities and Fine Arts (9 Credit Hours)
The humanities and fine arts courses provide a broader perspective on human experience, culture, and history. These courses help students develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills, which are highly transferable across diverse majors and professions. The humanities also help students analyze complex social issues, understand their historical context, and contribute to meaningful solutions. For students transferring courses, accepted courses for humanities and fine arts include literature, philosophy and ethics, history, religious studies, foreign languages, mythology, art history, music, theater, dance, race studies, and cultural anthropology or sociology.
Students must complete nine (9) credit hours of Humanities and Fine Arts coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Mathematics (3 Credit Hours)
Mathematics courses provide a foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn analytical reasoning, data interpretation, and the application of mathematical concepts to real-world situations. These abilities are valuable in any field, from scientific research and criminal investigations to business and management. For students transferring credits, accepted courses must be in the allowable categories, including college algebra, pre-calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics, and other courses focused on mathematical theory, application, or logical reasoning. Transfer credits will not apply to developmental or remedial math courses.
Students must complete three (3) credit hours of Mathematics coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
MATH 107 is required for BS Business Psychology and BS Healthcare Management students.
MATH 107 or higher is required for students residing in Arkansas.
Physical and Life Sciences (8 Credit Hours)
Life and physical science courses explore the natural world through scientific inquiry, investigating the fundamental principles governing living organisms, matter, and energy. These courses develop essential scientific literacy, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning skills, enabling students to understand complex natural phenomena and apply scientific methods to real-world challenges. For students transferring credit, accepted courses include:
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Life Sciences: Biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, zoology, botany, and other disciplines focused on living organisms and their processes.
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Physical Sciences: Chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and other disciplines focused on non-living systems, matter, and energy.
Students are required to take at least one (1) Life Science with a corresponding Lab and one Physical Science course with a corresponding Lab for a total of eight (8) credit hours of Physical and Life Science coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
Students residing in Louisiana are required to complete nine (9) credit hours of Life and Physical Science coursework to fulfill general education requirements. Six (6) credit hours shall be earned in a single life or physical science; the remaining three (3) credit hours must be earned in a natural science area other than that previously selected.
BIO 100 is required for BS Business Psychology students.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Credit Hours)
Social and behavioral science courses systematically investigate human behavior, societal structures, and institutions to understand how social, political, and economic systems interact and influence one another. These courses enable students to explore contemporary and historical issues across diverse cultural contexts, examining the principles and methodologies of social scientific inquiry to address real-world challenges. For students transferring credits, accepted courses include categories in sociology, psychology, economics, political science, geography, criminal justice, and interdisciplinary studies that analyze social phenomena and human behavior.
Students are required to complete nine (9) credit hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework to fulfill general education requirements.
If a student resides in Arkansas, one of the three courses is required to be completed in US History or US Government.
BS Business Psychology students must take SBS100 Introduction to Psychology
Capstone (3 Credit Hours)
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses (Elective)
Prior Learning Assessment - Portfolio (Electives)
A student may develop a portfolio that documents acquired college-level learning from non-college experiences-those that did not occur in a classroom setting. The portfolio is a collection of essays, documents, or other materials that provide evidence of that learning, such as professional training, life experiences, civil or military service, job related activities, or volunteer work. To participate in Portfolio Review, students are required to enroll in a sequence of two .5 credit hour online courses (PLA101 and PLA102) that provide step-by-step guidance on the development of an electronic portfolio. Once enrolled, the portfolio development course facilitator will help students determine what documentation is necessary to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for the targeted course(s). Department approval is required for enrollment in these courses.
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