Criminology Minor

Criminology is the social scientific study of crime and criminal behavior. By studying Criminology, you will gain knowledge about the causes and consequences of crime, including the concepts, theories, and research methods applied to the study of crime and criminal behavior.

Discover how crime fits into the larger social and cultural landscape

Your Criminology minor coursework will cover topics including deviance, crime reduction, and criminal justice. Through this coursework, you will also develop broad-based skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication.

A Criminology minor can help you enter a variety of career fields, including criminologist, social worker, attorney, research/policy analyst, social service provider, corrections officer, and addiction counselor. Earning a Criminology minor can also help you prepare for law school or advanced degrees in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work.

  • ‌
  • -

Upcoming Event

Crime and Community: Building Resilience and Response

Crime doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s shaped by broader social and cultural forces. This engaging panel discussion will bring together experts with a sociological perspective on crime, including Ralph Durrett, Chief Violence Prevention Officer for the City of Indianapolis, along with other community leaders and IU faculty. Panelists will explore the causes and consequences of crime, strategies for crime prevention, and the role of research and policy in fostering safer communities.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how we can better understand crime and build more resilient communities through knowledge, policy, and action.

March 27, 2025
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
IU Indy Campus Center 450B

Light refreshments will be provided.

Requirements for Minor

15 credits hours of course work (6 or which must be completed at IU Indianapolis) with a grade C (2.0) or better.

Required Courses

  • SOC-R 100 − Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 121 − Social Problems (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 345 − Crime and Society (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-J 101 − The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 240 − Deviance and Social Control (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 349 − Victimology (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 410 − Alcohol, Drugs and Society (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 314 − Families and Society (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 485 − Sociology of Mental Illness (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 329 − Urban Sociology (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 344 − Juvenile Delinquency and Society (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R 461 − Race & Ethnic Relations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-J 206 − The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)

No more than one course may “double count” toward multiple minors.

Courses not listed above may still count toward the requirements of the Criminology minor with approval of the Sociology chair.

How to enroll

If you would like to minor in Criminology, review the requirements above. Then, go to the online School of Liberal Arts Declaration Form to submit your request. Note: Minors and certificates will not appear on your degree unless you have completed the School of Liberal Arts Declaration Form AND completed the required coursework with the required grades.

More Info

For more information, contact Carly Schall, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Sociology, or Brian Steensland, Chair of Sociology.