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Jul 18, 2026
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2026-2027 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 program provides a practical and solutions-oriented education, guided by practitioner-scholar faculty, to prepare the next generation of professionals committed to justice, advocacy, crime prevention, and reform. Students engage in a multidisciplinary foundation that includes the study of deviance and criminal behavior, social control, and victimization, equipping them with the tools to address current challenges and anticipate future needs in the field of criminal justice. Graduates are prepared to begin careers across the public and private sectors, including roles as Police Officers or Criminal Investigators (local and federal), Probation or Parole Officers, Victim Advocates, Crime Analysts, and positions within Correctional Facilities or Nonprofit Social Justice, Behavioral Health, or Offender Re-entry Agencies. This program is intentionally structured as a direct bridge to graduate education, offering focused pathways into specializations like Forensic Psychology, Legal Studies, Public Health, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, ensuring graduates possess the cultural competence and applied expertise needed to make a positive impact on individuals and communities from day one.
Students may choose from two primary options for structuring their degree: the Generalist Track, which offers advanced, focused electives that align with their professional interests, exploring topics ranging from criminal investigations and criminal profiling to abnormal psychology and sex offenses; or a Specialization in Forensic Psychology (Applied or Licensure Track), Public Health, or Clinical Mental Health Counseling (early acceptance through an articulation agreement).
Graduate level coursework taken as part of the Forensic Psychology Track may also be counted in the MA Applied Forensic Psychology or MA Forensic Psychology - Professional Counselor Licensure 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.
The curriculum of the BA in Criminology degree is based on the rigorous Academic Quality Standards established by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the leading national organization focused on criminal justice education. The ACJS content areas addressed throughout the curriculum include: Administration of Justice, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Law Adjudication, Law Enforcement, and Research and Analytic Methods.
Program Philosophy
The BA in Criminology program at The Chicago School is founded on the belief that understanding criminal behavior, victimization, and our responses to crime and justice requires both critical analysis and compassion. Our program integrates criminological theory, research, and practice to prepare students to make informed decisions about prevention and intervention strategies in the broader social context in which justice is pursued. We emphasize social responsibility, ethical decision-making, and real-world application as essential tools for creating meaningful change within communities and institutions.
What makes the BA in Criminology at The Chicago School truly distinctive is its intentional design as a bridge to graduate education. The program provides clearly defined pathways that prepare students for advanced study in Forensic Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Public Health. This structure allows students to explore interdisciplinary perspectives on justice and begin shaping their professional identity early in their academic journey.
The program values experiential learning, civic engagement, and professional development. Leveraging faculty mentorship, collaboration, and applied learning opportunities, students are encouraged to translate theoretical knowledge into real-world competency through scholarly inquiry and practical application. The program cultivates graduates who are well-versed in criminological theory and prepared to pursue graduate education and meaningful careers that promote justice, advocacy, and reform.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the criminology major coursework, students will be able to:
Professional Practice
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Apply criminological theories to explain offending behavior, victimization, and criminal justice system outcomes.
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Analyze the interdependence of the major components of the U.S. criminal justice system and related agencies, including their impact on adult and juvenile offenders.
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Demonstrate understanding of constitutional rights, criminal law, and procedural justice as they relate to criminal justice operations.
Diversity
- Evaluate research and statistical data to determine how demographic characteristics influence patterns of offending, victimization, and involvement in crime.
Professional Behavior
Scholarship
- Apply the principles of criminology research to the field of criminal justice to critically evaluate and propose evidence-based solutions to critical issues.
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.
Standard Full Time Schedule
Articulation Protocols
The Chicago School has established protocols 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 (30 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 Chicago School undergraduate program where a student has met the necessary pre-requisites with written instructor course substitution approval. 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.
Upper Division Electives
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Upper Division elective courses may be filled from 1) Interdisciplinary Studies Courses, 2) Criminology Program Electives, or 3) courses from any Chicago School undergraduate program where a student has met the necessary pre-requisites with written instructor course substitution approval.
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
- Public Health Specialization Track (18 credit hours) plus 3 credit hours of electives
Students in the Generalist Track will complete 21 credit hours from the list of Criminology Program Electives.
Students in other tracks or specializations can use Criminology Program Electives to meet their elective credit requirements:
Program Total:
120 Credit Hours
Criminology Major Required Core
30 credit hours
Criminology Generalist Track (21 credit hours)
Criminology Generalist Track Students in the Generalist Track will complete 21 credit hours from the list of Criminology Program Electives.
Students in other tracks or specializations can use these Criminology Program Electives to meet their elective credit requirements:
Forensic Psychology Specialization (21 Credit Hours)
All core courses will associate to 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.
Specialization Core Courses -11 Credit Hours
Public Health Specialization (21 Credit Hours)
Students in this track will complete 18 credit hours in the specialization plus 3 credit hours selected from the Criminology Program Electives List.
Undergraduate Internship
(3 credit hours) Choose One Option:
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 except for those who transfer into the institution with an earned associate degree from an accredited institution, who will take IDS 300 Navigating the Digital Age unless advised otherwise by their academic advisor.
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 General Education Capstone course serves as as a bridge between foundational learning and the major, allowing students to synthesize the diverse skills gained in the General Education program to address a significant societal challenge across disciplines. By developing an original research proposal, students will demonstrate proficiency in core competencies, including communication, critical thinking, and technology in real-world contexts. This experience provides an essential opportunity to evaluate student progress and refine the core analytical tools needed to succeed in upper-level coursework and future careers.
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 (Electives)
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.
Undergraduate Internship
Undergraduate students may complete an internship with the approval of the academic advisor. These elective courses are available as one term (8 weeks) or two terms (16 weeks) depending on the student’s academic and career goals.
Internships at a physical location are allowed where the Chicago School has a campus (California, Illinois, Texas, and the District of Columbia). Virtual internships are permitted in any state where The Chicago School is authorized to operate. Internship sites must be approved by the academic advisor and require an internship agreement.
These options are available for internship courses:
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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