UMass Boston

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Criminal Justice Minor

Strengthen Your Proficiency & Understanding of Crime & Criminal Justice.  

UMass Boston’s Criminal Justice Minor program is designed to complement a number of degrees and career paths for students. In this program, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the criminal justice system, including its history, structure, and operation, as well as its impact on individuals, communities, and society.

While you are free to select any electives to fulfill your minor, we have compiled lists of course suggestions for a legal career. (These are just suggestions; please see the course catalog for completion requirements.)

After you complete the program, you’ll be prepared for a career as a social worker, paralegal, criminologist, legal advocate, and more.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Complete an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form after meeting the following requirements:

  • Completion of at least 12 credits at UMass Boston
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Completion of SOCIOL 101 (Introduction to Sociology) and SOCIOL 262 (Criminology)

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Core Courses (9 Credits)

  • SOCIOL 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 104 - Introduction to Systems of Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 262 - Criminology 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Systems of Criminal Justice Course (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

  • SOCIOL 337 - The Police in Society 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 338 - Criminal Courts 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 363 - Punishment and Corrections 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Criminology Course (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

  • SOCIOL 316 - Family Violence 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 362 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 364 - Internet, Society, and Cyber Crime 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 365 - Victimology 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 367 - Drugs and Society 3 Credit(s)

Sociology Electives (6 Credits)

Take two additional Sociology courses which may include any additional courses from the advanced requirements.

Completion Requirements

Complete 21 credits from seven courses, including three core requirements, one advanced systems of criminal justice course, one advanced criminology course, and two sociology electives.

Pass/fail: Only one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least four courses for the minor must be completed at UMass Boston. No transfer courses may be applied toward the advanced systems of criminal justice and advanced criminology requirements.
Course level: No more than six credits of 100-level courses may be applied toward the minor. Graduate courses in Sociology may not be used toward the minor.
Course reuse: Students majoring in Sociology or Social Psychology may only apply SOCIOL 101 toward both programs.

Contact

Wheatley Hall, 4th Floor, Room 012
617.287.6251

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Sociology Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Sociology Department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore the Department of Sociology
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College of Liberal Arts

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Liberal Arts.

Explore the College of Liberal Arts

Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions