Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice

The Department of Sociology, Criminology & Criminal Justice is a dynamic department featuring a range of majors, minors and program tracks including Anthropology and Human Rights & Social Justice.

Sociology

Sociology at Sacred Heart University provides a course of study that fosters awareness of the social nature of human beings and how social relationships, structures and forces shape individual lives.

Our students study the social nature of humans and the structure of our social world. We encourage students to be mindful of social problems, such as race, class and gender inequality, ethnic conflict, family breakdown and alienation, and to think in terms of solutions. Students learn social theory and research methodologies to better comprehend major societal developments and to investigate them. They conduct program and policy assessments. During their senior year, each student works closely with a faculty member as they conduct original research for their senior theses. Our graduates find this training in applied sociology to be indispensable in their chosen careers, for example, as they promote education reform, reduce discrimination in the workplace and counsel young adults.

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice students at Sacred Heart University develop a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system to prepare for a career in law enforcement, legal studies, security and more.

As part of their course of study, criminal justice students study causes of crime, the nature of serial killers and the work of criminal profilers, terrorism, capital punishment, criminal law, policing corrections and private security. Courses in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, legal studies and security help students apply criminological theory and scientific research methods, evaluate policy and law and enhance critical thinking skills. With a criminal justice degree, you’ll be prepared for a career in law enforcement, security management, corrections, crime prevention, law, victim assistance and policy making. Criminal Justice graduates find employment in a variety of settings, including the Department of Homeland Security, municipal or state police departments, the correctional system and the probation system.

Criminology

Criminology is a multidisciplinary field focused on understanding crime and the criminal justice system in a social context. Students learn to apply the theoretical and methodological tools of sociology to understand criminal actions as a product of complex social forces and the effects those actions have on the larger society. Areas of study within criminology include, but are not limited to, juvenile delinquency, violent crime, drug use and abuse, white collar crime, victimology, punishment and social control, hate crime and the culture of policing.

Programs Offered

• Ph.D. in Organization Development, Change & Effectiveness
• Bachelor of Science in Sociology
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• 3+3 Bachelor’s & JD Program
• 3+2 Sociology & Occupational Therapy
• Double Major in Sociology & Business Economics
• Minor in Anthropology
• Minor in Sociology
• Minor in Human Rights & Social Justice
• Minor in Criminal Justice
• Minor in Criminology