Criminology

MajorMinor3YRBachelor of Arts

Crime, Culture, and Society.

This major offers students small class sizes and a campus in the heart of the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Students have the opportunity to complete internships, pursue individual research interests, or participate in service learning courses. All such opportunities prepare students for careers in the field or for graduate or professional school.

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Program Information

Curriculum

The Criminology major is a sociology-based major allowing students to develop a well-rounded understanding of complex social issues. Sample courses in the Criminology program include:

SW200SO – Understanding Society
SO205 – Contemporary Social Issues
SO326 – Gender, Race, and Crime
SO351 – Punishment and Society
SO353 – Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
SO355 – International Crime

See all Criminology major curriculum information

See all Criminology minor curriculum information

Three-Year Program

The Criminology major can be completed in a total of three years. More information can be found here.

The Butler Advantage

With an understanding of society and how the social context and social forces shape behaviors and an emphasis on strong critical-thinking and research skills, majors in Criminology are well prepared for a wide range of opportunities after graduation.

Students have numerous opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world settings and to everyday life.

Students present their research findings at the Butler Undergraduate Research Conference or a professional meeting.

Internships in criminal justice, human services, and community contexts provide students with practical experience and career opportunities.

Students have many opportunities to engage in the research process and to collaborate with faculty on research projects.

Meet Your Faculty

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Stephen Barnard

Associate Professor – Chair of Sociology & Criminology
Sociology and Criminology – LAS

Dr. Stephen (Steve) Barnard is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Before joining the faculty at Butler, he was Associate Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at St. Lawrence University, where he…
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Alexander Roehrkasse

Assistant Professor – Sociology & Criminology
Sociology and Criminology – LAS

Alex Roehrkasse is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology. He is faculty fellow at the Desmond Tutu Peace Lab and a faculty affiliate in the Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies programs. Alex’s research…
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Vitor Martins Dias

Assistant Professor – Sociology & Criminology
Sociology and Criminology – LAS

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminology at Butler University. I am a socio-legal scholar exploring how legal, political, and social actors influence global and local institutions and organizations, producing…
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Criminology FAQs

A criminology degree is good for any career path dealing with crime and its causes, including the justice system, criminal rehabilitation, crime prevention, addressing the social determinants of crime, and related issues. Common careers include:

Probation officer
Attorney Judge
Corrections officer
Social Worker
Psychologist
Behavior analyst
Criminal investigator

Criminologists can be found in a wide variety of career paths, so daily tasks depend on the role. A criminologist may spend their day reporting findings on crime-related statistics, researching behaviors and patterns that lead to or prevent crime, or analyzing criminal law. They may also work directly on criminal cases as a detective or law enforcement officer, or with specific individuals or groups whose lives have been impacted by criminal activity.

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Whatever path you’re interested in pursuing, there’s a place for you at Butler.

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