2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Criminology (BA)
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 Return to: Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
The Criminology program at K-State is designed to give students a broad and comprehensive understanding of academic criminology while also preparing them for careers in fields like policing, criminal investigations, victims services, prison and jail operations, criminal justice research and policy, criminal justice administration, community corrections services, and others.
Students who major in criminology should refer to the general requirements for the B.A. or B.S. degree required for the College of Arts and Sciences.
All criminology students are expected to complete foundational courses (6 credit hours), core criminology courses (13 credit hours), a job skills requirement (1 credit hour), and classes that provide valuable social context (3 credit hours) and cover issues of social inequality (3 credit hours). Students are then required to complete twelve credit hours of criminology electives. Finally, all students are required to complete a “capstone” requirement. Students may choose between two capstone options: (1) an internship track which involves gaining field experience in a criminal justice or related agency, typically completed over a summer (6 credit hours), and (2) a scholarship track designed to prepare students for graduate studies by completing lower-level criminology or sociology graduate courses (6 hours).
Students must earn a 2.5 grade point average in courses taken within the major to graduate.
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Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours
K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State. The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core. Orientation: 1 Credit Hour
Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours
Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except ****, etc, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit). OR Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for ****) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program). OR Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program). Overlays: [9] Credit Hours
May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself. - Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
- Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
- US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]
Foundation Courses: 6 Credit Hours
If not met through K-State Core requirements, STAT 225 is required. Criminology Fundamental Courses: 10 Credit Hours
Skills Requirement: 1 Credit Hour
Social Context Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
Must select one 3 credit hour course for the following list Structural Inequalities Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
Must select one 3 credit hour course from the following list Criminology Electives: 12 Credit Hours
Choose 12 credit hours from any CRIM courses (excluding CRIM 261, CRIM 364, CRIM 367, and CRIM 568) or from any of the following ANTH 384, ANTH 680, SOCIO 635, or SOCWK 350 Capstone Requirement: 6 Credit Hours
Students may either take an “internship” or “scholarship” approach to fulfilling this requirement. Each requires 6 credit hours from courses within the following two tracks.
Scholarship
Students will take 6 credit hours of 600 or 700 level Criminology or Sociology Courses OR 3 credits hours of 600 or 700 level Criminology or Sociology Courses and 3 credit hours of senior thesis hours (CRIM 599).
BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 6 Credit Hours
3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline. One course in Humanities Credits: 3
Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3
BA Natural and Quantitative Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
One course of the following: Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3
BA Second Language Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following: Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours
At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., Frech 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence. Option 2: 16 Credit Hours
At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level. Option 3: 3 Credit Hours
Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program. Free Electives: 11-21 Credit Hours
In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120. Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120
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Return to: Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
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