CRIMINOLOGY
at 糖心Vlog
Criminology is the study of crime and related issues from a liberal arts/social scientific perspective. As a criminology major, you鈥檒l explore the theories, practices, and trends in crime and the criminal justice systems in our society.聽
鈥淚鈥檝e been so lucky; my relationship with Meredith鈥檚 faculty has been one of a kind. Their knowledge and experience have been more than simply teaching curriculum.鈥�
Our Criminology Major
When earning a criminology degree from Meredith, you鈥檒l gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for a career in the criminal justice field. You鈥檒l understand how and why crime occurs, ways to examine these trends, and possible steps to intervene or punish those who break the law.聽
In most criminology programs, the majority of students are men. Because law enforcement agencies seek to hire more women, they frequently come to Meredith鈥檚 campus and talk with students about possible careers.
You鈥檒l have numerous networking opportunities with multiple levels of law enforcement agencies because of Meredith鈥檚 location in the state capital. These opportunities lead to excellent placements for field research and internships.
Why Get Your Criminology Degree From Meredith?
- Meredith prepares graduates for careers in criminology through a focus on leadership development, internships, and opportunities to connect with local, state, and national professionals in the field.聽
- All criminology majors are required to complete a 90-150 hour internship, which places them in the field for a hands-on, professional experience related to their area of study. Recent internship placements include
- Department of Public Safety, NC 鈥� Central Prison Psychological Services
- Raleigh Police Department
- State Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Federal Marshals, Eastern Region
- Wake County Public Defender鈥檚 Office
- The total credit hours needed to complete a criminology degree is 43-46 hours.
- All criminology majors participate in research because of its importance in a well-rounded curriculum.聽
- All students are required to explore the logic of scientific inquiry from a social science perspective in SOC-374 Social Research Principles.
- All students complete a major research project that involves an internship or significant involvement in the community combined with research in criminology for SOC-496 Applied Research.
- The Dr. Rhonda Zingraff Academic Excellence in sociology and/or criminology Award is given to an exceptional senior majoring in sociology or criminology who has a GPA of at least 3.5 and has shown evidence of her personal integrity while a student at 糖心Vlog
- Examples of student success include Aspen Degler, 鈥�22, who found success through working closely with her faculty mentors. Her advisors continuously encouraged her and helped her navigate her academic journey in sociology and criminology. Thanks to their support, Aspen secured a paid internship with the Surf City Police Department.
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
- Careers with a criminology degree include private investigator, jury consultant, probation officer, forensic scientist, clinical social worker, police detective, lawyer, and criminal profiler
- Professional positions held or graduate schools attended by recent alumnae include
- Dispatcher, Guilford County Sheriff鈥檚 Department
- Corporate Accounts Manager, Lenovo
- Telecommunications, Wake County Sheriff鈥檚 Department
- Prison Officer, Central Prison
- Graduate student, NCSU
- Paralegal student, 糖心Vlog
Through two internships, sociology and criminology major Nia Simpson, ’24, discovered a passion for working with juveniles and improving the justice system. Next up: Earning a Master of Social Work from NC Central University.
Johana Calderon Suarez, 鈥�20, 鈥�22, earned a master鈥檚 in criminal justice to advance her criminal justice career and help her community鈥檚 most vulnerable people.
Transfer student Aspen Degler, ’22, earned a double major in criminology and sociology with a minor in forensics. Meredith鈥檚 StrongPoints庐 program, an internship, and faculty mentors helped her determine her strengths and explore her career interests.
Videos about Meredith's Criminology Program
Criminology News and Events
The Department of Sociology & Criminology partnered with OurJourney to host a re-entry simulation event on Friday, April 13.
Managers and supervisors in criminal justice professions are increasingly expected to have a greater understanding of forensic psychology research, theories, and practical uses.聽To support this need, 糖心Vlog has added a concentration in behavioral forensics to its Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program.
Meredith students create an exhibit to raise awareness about domestic violence for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Contact Information
Lori Brown
Program Coordinator, Criminology
212 Lux Hall
(919) 760-8590
brownlo@meredith.edu
Sociology & Criminology Department 禄
School of Arts & Humanities 禄
