Criminal Justice
The criminal justice minor and certificate will provide you with an overview of the same essential knowledge, substantive application and general perspectives provided in our major concentration in criminal justice.
Through either of these tracks, you will take a conceptual approach to the material and develop critical thinking skills related to crime and the criminal justice system, gaining essential knowledge about criminal justice while focusing on the relationship between crime and society. You’ll study criminal justice as it relates to social problems and policy, societal dynamics and institutions and the operation of the criminal justice system and receive a sociological perspective in understanding how crime and criminal justice systems are related to social inequality and social justice.
You will need to secure official permission from the Department of Sociology to register for the criminal justice certificate, and you will also be required to meet with the department chair in order to better plan your course selections.
Program Information
This minor develops critical thinking skills in crime and criminal justice. Study societal dynamics, social problems, and policy. Gain a sociological perspective on crime, justice, and social inequality.
Program Type
Minor
Academic Department
Sociology
Required Credit Hours
15-18
"Duquesne’s criminal justice department has given me the confidence and inspiration
to pursue a career as a federal court judge. And with the guidance of my professors,
I feel my career goal is attainable."
The minor has one required course: SOCI 103 Introduction to Criminal Justice The certificate program has two required courses: SOCI 103 Introduction to Criminal Justice SOCI 450 Fieldwork (3 credits in criminal justice–related placement) Choose from a dynamic array of courses. You must take one of the following courses: You must take one of the following courses: Students are required to take six credits at the 200 level or above and are encouraged
to take 3 credits at the 300-400 level. Six credits may double count toward the sociology
major. Courses from other departments may be cross-listed as electives, where appropriate. The minor is not available to sociology majors with a criminal justice concentration.
The certificate is not available to sociology majors with a criminal justice concentration. Non-majors must complete 12 credits in criminal justice classwork prior to enrolling
in fieldwork. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement
in a local organization. A minimum of five hours in placement per week (or 75 hours
per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per
semester) is required for 3 credits.
Requirements for Each Track
Courses for the Minor & Certificate
Fieldwork
Contact for more info
Sociology Department