Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law and Society

• Acquire core knowledge of Criminology, Law, and Society: Students will develop core knowledge about the organization and operation of various institutions administering justice, such as police, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, as well as constitutional law and criminal justice ethics that serve as the foundation for these and other justice institutions.
• Acquire more specific knowledge of a variety of topics in criminology, law, and society: Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives in CLS, including classes related to theories of criminology, law, and society, judicial processes, and the law, human rights and social justice, intelligence and homeland security, juvenile justice, criminal psychology, policing, crime prevention, contemporary justice issues and reforms, and leadership. Students may also choose to further specialize their coursework by completing an optional concentration in Criminal Justice, Law and Society, or Homeland Security and Justice.
• Acquire a broader liberal arts knowledge in relation to the justice system: Students will receive an additional 18 credits of liberal arts education in related fields to help contextualize their learning in the broader liberal arts and social science areas.
• Develop written communication: Students will learn how to effectively communicate in writing through papers and exams, which require students to analyze, synthesize, and apply what they have learned.
• Understand and apply research methods: Students will learn about basic research methods used in the study of criminology, law, and society, to not only be able to digest research in the field, but also consider how to use research and analysis tools to answer key questions in criminology, law, and society. The degree includes several courses that offer the opportunity for students to engage in research on crime and justice.
• Develop critical thinking skills: Students will demonstrate an ability to think critically about crime and the justice system through course offerings and have the opportunity to analyze contemporary justice problems and reforms. This will include assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and models of justice in the U.S. and internationally and developing a critical understanding of how the justice system relates to broader ideas of justice, equality, and human rights.
• Be able to synthesize across skills and education: The required Capstone course in CLS is a writing-intensive course that allows students to exercise and showcase the skills they have learned throughout their degree.

Mason’s location makes it an ideal place to study these important subjects. Washington DC provides abundant options for internships in the justice and security fields, including law enforcement, courts and corrections, intelligence, and non-profits. Our internship program gives you real-world experience and helps you form connections with professionals and organizations in the criminal justice world, all while earning academic credit.

The program will help you develop essential skills and experience to be competitive in the job market. Our students find jobs in law enforcement, the justice system, law, national security, intelligence, and related career fields.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Core Courses in the Major

• CRIM 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core) 3
• CRIM 306 Criminal Justice Ethics 3
• CRIM 315 Research Methods and Analysis in Criminology 3
• CRIM 424 Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights 3
• CRIM 495 Capstone in Criminology, Law, and Society (Mason Core) 3

Total Credits 15

Electives in the Major

Select nine electives from the following: 27

• CRIM 210 Introduction to Criminology
• CRIM 220 Introduction to Law and Society
• CRIM 230 Introduction to Homeland Security
• CRIM 301 Public Law and the Judicial Process or GOVT 301 Public Law and the Judicial Process
• CRIM 302 Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System or SOCI 302 Sociology of Delinquency
• CRIM 304 Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
• CRIM 305 Crime and Crime Policy
• CRIM 307 Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
• CRIM 308 Human Rights and Justice
• CRIM 310 Introduction to the Intelligence Community
• CRIM 312 Intelligence Analysis Techniques
• CRIM 320 Crime and Place
• CRIM 325 Hate Crime
• CRIM 350 Counterintelligence
• CRIM 400 Applied Criminal Psychology
• CRIM 401 Policing in America
• CRIM 402 Punishment and Corrections
• CRIM 403 Community Corrections
• CRIM 404 Crime Victims and Victimization
• CRIM 405 Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
• CRIM 406 Family Law and the Justice System
• CRIM 407 Advanced Topics in Law and Society
• CRIM 408 Criminal Courts
• CRIM 409 Community Policing
• CRIM 410 Criminal Investigations
• CRIM 411 Innovations in Policing
• CRIM 422 Controversial Legal Issues
• CRIM 423 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties or GOVT 423 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
• CRIM 425 Criminal Justice Management
• CRIM 430 Criminal Law
• CRIM 460 Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society or GOVT 460 Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
• CRIM 462 Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
• CRIM 471 Prevention and Deterrence of Crime
• CRIM 475 Theory and Politics of Terrorism
• CRIM 485 Study Abroad
• CRIM 490 Special Topics
• CRIM 491 Honors Seminar I
• CRIM 492 RS: Honors Seminar II
• CRIM 498 Research Practicum
• CRIM 499 Independent Study
• HDFS 401 Family Law and Public Policy
• INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling

Total Credits 27

Optional Concentration in the Major

Criminology and society majors have the option of obtaining a concentration by completing 15 of their 27 elective credits within one of the following areas. Students can pursue only one concentration.

Available Concentrations

• Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)
• Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)
• Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)

Select 15 credits from the following:

• CRIM 210 Introduction to Criminology
• CRIM 302 Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System or SOCI 302 Sociology of Delinquency
• CRIM 304 Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
• CRIM 305 Crime and Crime Policy
• CRIM 307 Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
• CRIM 320 Crime and Place
• CRIM 325 Hate Crime
• CRIM 400 Applied Criminal Psychology
• CRIM 401 Policing in America
• CRIM 402 Punishment and Corrections
• CRIM 403 Community Corrections
• CRIM 404 Crime Victims and Victimization
• CRIM 408 Criminal Courts
• CRIM 409 Community Policing
• CRIM 410 Criminal Investigations
• CRIM 411 Innovations in Policing
• CRIM 425 Criminal Justice Management
• CRIM 462 Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
• CRIM 471 Prevention and Deterrence of Crime
• CRIM 485 Study Abroad (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• CRIM 490 Special Topics (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• CRIM 491 Honors Seminar I (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• CRIM 492 RS: Honors Seminar II (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• CRIM 498 Research Practicum (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• CRIM 499 Independent Study (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
• INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in criminology, law, and society fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CRIM 495 Capstone in Criminology, Law, and Society (Mason Core). Students should complete ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core) before taking the writing-intensive course in the major or take the two courses simultaneously.

Upper-Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

• Philosophy or Religious Studies
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Foreign Language
• Non-Western Culture

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Foundation Requirements

• Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
• Oral Communication 3
• Quantitative Reasoning 3
• Information Technology and Computing 3

Exploration Requirements

• Arts 3
• Global Understanding 3
• Literature 3
• Natural Science 7
• Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
• Western Civilization/World History 3

Integration Requirements

• Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
• Writing-Intensive 3
• Synthesis/Capstone 3

Total Credits 40