2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Criminology (BS)
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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 hour microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program). Overlays: [9] Credit Hours
May be filled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself. - Ethical Reasoning Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
- Global Perspectives Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
- US Multicultural Overlay, 1 course 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
Structural Inequalities Requirement: 3 Credit Hours
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. Students may also take 3 credits ours of 600 or 700 level Criminology or Sociology Courses and 3 credit hours of senior thesis hours (CRIM 599). BS Natural and Quantitative Requirements: 9 Credit Hours
One course in each of the following, with at least two courses at the 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline. Natural Science course Credits: 3
Quantitative course Credits: 3
Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science w/MATH or STAT prereq Credits: 3
BS Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirements: 3 Credit Hours
3 credit hours of the following: Fine Arts or Humanities: Any course or combination of courses Credits: 3
Free Electives: 20
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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