Courses focus on explanations for the development of law within society, why people break laws, and how society reacts to law-breaking. Interdisciplinary breadth in the study of criminology is essential for those majoring in criminology. Majors may enroll in relevant courses offered outside the department to help satisfy tracking requirements (listed below under Foundation Coursework).

After obtaining a BA in Criminology, students can seek careers as professionals working within the criminal or juvenile justice systems (i.e., courts, law enforcement, corrections). Many students also attend law school, while others attend graduate school where they may conduct research on criminological issues.

Coursework for the Major

The major requires 34 credits. At least 22 of the 34 must be taken at UF in courses offered by the department with prefixes of CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, or CJL. Students may apply no more than 6 credits of 1000/2000-level coursework to the major.

A maximum of 12 credits of criminology courses can be transferred toward the major. Students who transfer six credits of 1000/2000-level (lower-division) credits into the major should not take CJL 2000. There are restrictions on which lower-division courses will transfer to the major. Lower-division courses that transfer into the major include introductory courses on criminology, criminal justice and criminal law/procedure. Students who wish to take interdisciplinary courses and transfer credits from another institution need to be careful about the 22-credit residency requirement.

Minimum grades of C must be earned in courses that count toward the major. The only exception is CCJ 4940, which requires a grade of S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Foundation (Tracking) Coursework
In the first four terms, students enroll in criminology-related foundation courses, which include:
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
Select one option:
Option A: Select 9 credits of introductory criminal justice/criminology courses (CCJ, CJL or CJE prefixes), including:
CCJ 3024	Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice
CJL 2000	Law and the Legal Process
CJL 3038	Law and Society
Option B: Select 9 credits from the following or their equivalents:
AMH 2010	United States to 1877
AMH 2020	United States Since 1877
ANT 2000	General Anthropology
ANT 2410	Cultural Anthropology
ECO 2013	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 2023	Principles of Microeconomics
PHI 2010	Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 2630	Contemporary Moral Issues
POS 2041	American Federal Government
POS 2112	American State and Local Government
PSY 2012	General Psychology
SYG 2000	Principles of Sociology
SYG 2010	Social Problems
Required Coursework
Criminology Core Courses
CCJ 3024	Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice 1	3
CCJ 3701	Research Methods in Criminology 1	4
CCJ 4014	Criminological Theory 1	3
CJL 3038	Law and Society 1	3
Select at least one law-driven requirement course:		3
CJL 2000	Law and the Legal Process 2
CJL 4050	Juvenile Law
CJL 4110	Criminal Law
CJL 4410	Criminal Procedure
Criminology Electives
Select a minimum of 18 credits 3		18
Students may select up to 9 additional credits from approved interdisciplinary courses outside of criminology. 4		0-9
Statistics Course Requirement
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3

¹

These courses are the basis for meeting the student learning outcomes in the major’s academic learning compact, therefore they must be taken at UF. 

²

Students should take this course only if they have not already completed six credits of 1000/2000-level criminology courses. 

³

Majors may choose from any course offered in the department not used to meet this requirement.

⁴

These approved interdisciplinary courses may also apply to the CLAS electives requirement. These courses do not apply toward the 22-credit residency requirement.

Students may apply only 3 credits of CCJ 4940 or 3 credits of CCJ 4911 (if taken as S/U) to the 34 credits for the major. CCJ 4940 is automatically graded S/U. CCJ 4911 may be taken as either a letter grade or S/U, but the student must submit an application to the registrar’s office for this course to be taken as an S/U grade.

Exit Exam Requirement

To complete the major students must pass a department exit examination regarding crime, criminal justice, law and society, and criminological theory, administered online.

Recommended Coursework

Students who meet CLAS honors criteria (3.5 upper-division GPA) may take up to six credits in CCJ 4970 or enroll in up to two graduate seminars as honors courses, depending on instructor permission and course availability. However, students should keep in mind the tuition differences between undergraduate and graduate credits.

Combination Degree Programs

The opportunity to get an early start on graduate work by enrolling in graduate credits exists in a combination BA/MA program. Interested students must apply and be accepted to the undergraduate phase (so that graduate credits can count toward the major to earn the BA degree). Independently, they also must apply for admission to the graduate phase and compete with all other applicants for admission to a limited number of openings each Fall.

Overseas Studies

The major has no affiliated overseas programs. Criminology majors, however, frequently study abroad and can often transfer credits to the major.

Placement

CCJ 3024 is a prerequisite or corequisite for most of the other courses in the major. During advanced registration, there may be restrictions placed on lower-division students for registration in many upper-division courses to make sure juniors and seniors get the credits they need to graduate on time.

Research

Majors may pursue original research through the upper-division honors program in the major, especially via senior thesis credits (CCJ 4970). Others pursue independent research through Undergraduate Research in Criminology (CCJ 4911). The major also offers a research internship (CCJ 4940), which enables students to work in ongoing research projects.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete 1 criminology-related foundation course (criminology-related foundation courses include introductory criminal justice and criminology courses. CCJ, CJL, or CJE prefixes, such as CCJ 3024, CJL 2000, CJL 3038, or related courses: AMH 2010, AMH 2020, ANT 2000, ANT 2410, ECO 2013, ECO 2023, PHI 2010, PHI 2630, POS 2041, POS 2112, PSY 2012, SYG 2000, SYG 2010).
• 2.3 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete 1 additional criminology-related foundation course
• 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 1 additional criminology-related foundation course with 2.65 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.65 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete STA 2023 with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.8 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete CCJ 3024 (if not previously taken) and maintain 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.80 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete at least 2 additional core criminology courses: CJL 3038, CCJ 4014, CCJ 3701 with minimum grades of C
  • Or 1 core criminology course and 1 law-based course: CJL 2000, CJL 4050, CJL 4110, CJL 4410 with minimum grades of C
• Complete 1 criminology elective or an additional core criminology course with a minimum grade of C

Semester 7

• Complete at least 1 additional core criminology course with minimum grades of C
• Complete 3 additional criminology electives

Semester 8

• Complete the last core criminology course, if needed, with a minimum grade of C
• Complete the law-based requirement, if needed: CJL 2000, CJL 4050, CJL 4410, or CJL 4410 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete the 2 remaining criminology electives
• Pass the criminology exit exam

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

Up to 9 credits of approved Criminology electives outside of the Criminology department may also count towards the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences		3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Criminology-related course (Critical Tracking)		3
Foreign language		4-5
	Credits	13-14
Semester Two
CCJ 3024	Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice (Critical Tracking; recommended; or other criminology-related course)	3
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities)		3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics		3
Foreign language		3-5
Elective		4
	Credits	16-18
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Science)		3
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics)	3
Criminology-related course (Critical Tracking)		3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Four
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area NOT taken in semester 1)		3
Gen Ed Humanities		3
Science Laboratory (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences)		1
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences (if needed; several criminology-related courses meet this requirement)		3
Electives		6
	Credits	16
Semester Five
CCJ 3024	Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice (Critical Tracking; if not taken previously; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)	3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences or Physical Science (area not taken for Quest 2 course in Semester 3)		3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Approved Criminology elective; Critical Tracking		3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Six
Criminology core courses; Critical Tracking		6-7
Approved Criminology electives; Critical Tracking		6
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)		3
	Credits	15-16
Semester Seven
Criminology core course; Critical Tracking		3-4
Approved Criminology elective; Critical Tracking		3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		9
	Credits	15-16
Semester Eight
Criminology core course; Critical Tracking		3
Approved Criminology electives; Critical Tracking		6
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120

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Select any CCJ, CJE, CJL, or CJJ elective and up to 9 credits from these approved interdisciplinary courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AEB 4085	Agricultural Risk Management and the Law	3
AMH 3551	Constitutional History of the United States to 1877	3
AMH 3552	Constitutional History of the United States Since 1877	3
AMH 3558	United States Legal History	3
AMH 4316	Violence and Social Conflict in American History	3
AMH 4319	Crime and Punishment in American History	3
AMH 4550	Origins of the US Constitution	3
ANT 3451	Race and Racism	3
ANT 3520	Skeleton Keys: Forensic Identification	3
ANT 4273	Anthropology of Law	3
ANT 4740	Introduction to Forensic Science	3
BUL 4310	The Legal Environment of Business	4
ECP 4451	Law and Economics	4
EEX 4520	Disabilities: Legal Aspects and Policies	3
ENC 3464	Writing in the Social Sciences	3
ENC 3465	Writing in the Law	3
LEI 4800	Legal Aspects of Tourism, Events and Recreation	3
MDU 4031	Medicine and the Law	3
MMC 4200	Law of Mass Communication	3
PAD 3003	Introduction to Public Administration	3
POS 3603	American Constitutional Law	3
POS 3606	American Civil Liberties	3
POS 4624	Race, Law and the Constitution	3
SPM 4723	Legal Issues in Sport	3
STA 3024	Introduction to Statistics 2	3
STA 4222	Sample Survey Design	3
SYP 3510	Deviance	3
URP 4882	Defensible Space and CPTED in Urban Design	3

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The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology (both the on campus and the online degree programs) introduces students to the study of criminal behavior, criminal justice systems from a multidisciplinary, liberal arts perspective. It enables students to understand crime, how society reacts to it (especially through the criminal justice system), and the interrelationships between features of society and law. It includes learning about the theories of crime and methods for studying crime, law, and society.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass a department exit examination regarding crime, criminal justice, law, and society and criminological theory.
• Complete a research paper for CCJ 3701 demonstrating the ability to research and to interpret research in criminology, law, and society.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Define and describe the criminal justice system, the interrelationships among its components, and their fit with society.
2. Define and describe the legal institutions, the law, and their interaction in society.

Critical Thinking

3. Analyze theories of crime and their implications for programs and policies to reduce crime.
4. Interpret and evaluate research in criminology, law and society and exhibit proficiency in the techniques used to conduct such research.

Communication

5. Communicate ideas clearly and effectively in an accepted style of presentation.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 5

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4	SLO 5
CCJ 3024	I, R, A
CCJ 3038		I, R, A
CCJ 3701				I, R, A	I, R, A
CCJ 4014			I, R, A

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Papers

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