Certificate of Undergraduate Study
Coordinator: Kristie Crane, Department of Sociology
The criminology certificate is designed to provide insight into the academic study-theoretical and empirical-of crime and the criminal justice system in contemporary society. The criminology certificate is recommended for all students interested in examining issues associated with the patterns, correlates, and explanations of crime, as well as societal responses to crime, both formal and informal. Courses that are proposed for certificate credit are already regularly offered in the Sociology bachelor degree program. The certificate is appropriate and intended for students studying for, or currently working in, a number of disciplines or careers related to the criminal justice and legal system, security, education, public health, social sciences, and human services.
The certificate program is open to all NIU undergraduates with the exception of students completing the B.A./B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis in criminology. Students must maintain good academic standing in the university, maintain a 2.00 grade point average in certificate courses and complete all certificate course work within six calendar years. All courses for the certificate must be completed at NIU. Certificate courses in Sociology may be counted toward undergraduate degree requirements in the department. Students completing the B.A./B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis in criminology are not eligible to also receive a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Criminology.