Programs and Degrees - Coastal Carolina University
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Programs and Degrees

B.A. Sociology

Sociology involves the study of human social behavior – specifically organizations, institutions, stratification, and social change in human societies. Sociology also involves the analysis of society as a whole and applies theoretical and practical solutions to modern social problems. Sociologists may study poverty, crime, family relations, aging, medical and mental health issues, demography, environmental sociology, and other societal systems and problems.

The Student Experience

  • Sociology is a broad-based field of study that prepares students for entry-level positions throughout the criminal justice, business, social service and government worlds or for further study in law, social work, counseling and other graduate programs. 
  • Students have the opportunity to participate in internships with various local agencies, including those dealing with spousal and child abuse, law enforcement, care of the elderly, community recreation programs, and alcohol and drug programs. 
  • Sociology majors can present their research and report on their internship experiences at local and regional meetings and conferences. 
  • Sociology majors may pursue a general course of study or opt for more concentrated study in one of three sociological tracks: criminology, health and aging, or social justice.

Areas of Study: Minors

Sociology Minor

The sociology minor offers students majoring in other fields a foundation in core areas of sociology through course work in introductory sociology as well as upper level courses such as demography, social structures, and sociological theory. A total of 21 credit hours in approved course work is required to complete the minor.

Social Justice Minor

The social justice minor offers undergraduate students the opportunity to both theorize about the meanings of social justice and to practice "doing" social justice work in the community on social inequality as it relates to the intersection of class, race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, etc. The social justice minor seeks to inspire and instill in students majoring in other fields a commitment to democracy and action around principles of equality and justice and is intended to prepare them for positions in education/research, teaching, advocacy, public service, and other positions where they may serve as agents of social change. We foster the personal and professional growth of our students by offering extensive and varied opportunities for integrative experiential learning, including faculty/student collaborative research and community-based internships. A total of 18 credit hours in approved coursework are required to complete the minor.

Criminology Minor

The criminology minor offers students majoring in other fields a foundation in core areas of criminology which are grounded in social theory and use scientific research methods to explore criminal behavior as well as the criminal justice system. Students examine current scholarship on social inequality and criminal behavior. Students will also consider innovative means to alleviate disparate justice outcomes in diverse communities. A total of 18 credit hours in approved coursework is required to complete the minor. The criminology minor requires at least 18 credit hours of approved coursework.

Human Services Minor

The human services minor introduces students to the broad field of helping professions within the context of human service agencies. This minor complements studies in such disciplines as sociology, psychology, and communication, but is open to all majors. A wide variety of electives are offered, allowing students to tailor the Minor in Human Services to their specific interests and future career plans.

B.A. Criminal Justice

A major in criminal justice offers students a thorough foundation in criminal justice theories and research methods in the social sciences. There are multiple opportunities for research, service learning and internships. While completing the major, students may select specialized training in legal studies, law enforcement or data analysis. Graduates with the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice find employment in a variety of professions and occupations. Some of these include positions in policing (city, county, state, and federal), courts, corrections (jails, prisons, probation, and parole), security (private and industrial) and a variety of public service occupations in governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

Admission to the Program

  • Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course used to satisfy major requirements, certificates and minor requirements. 
  • A University approved Minor, or Certificate is required for the Criminal Justice major. 
  • Criminal Justice majors cannot also earn the Criminal Justice Minor. 

Foundation Courses in the Criminal Justice Major

Following are the Criminal Justice foundation courses:

  • SOC 306 - Religious Cults and Violence (3 credits)
  • SOC 340 - The Sociology of Drugs & Drug Control Policy (3 credits)
  • SOC 341 - Organized Crime (3 credits)
  • SOC 350 Q* - Juvenile Delinquency (3 to 4 credits)
  • SOC 351 - Deviant Behavior (3 credits)
  • SOC 352 - Comparative Policing (3 credits)
  • SOC 401 - Sociology of Corrections (3 credits)
  • SOC 450 - Victimology (3 credits)
  • INTEL 312 - Intelligence Operations (3 credits)
  • INTEL 330 - National Security (3 credits)
  • INTEL 335 - Homeland Security (3 credits)
  • INTEL 337 - Law Enforcement Intelligence (3 credits)
  • POLI 306 - American Law through Literature and Film (3 credits)
  • POLI 363 - Southern Politics (3 credits)
  • POLI 370 - Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)
  • POLI 371 - Public Policy (3 credits)
  • POLI 441 - Legal Reasoning (1 credit)
  • POLI 447 Q - Trial Advocacy (3 credits)
  • POLI 449 - Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
  • POLI 450 - Constitutional Law II (3 credits)
  • POLI 452 - The Judicial Process (3 credits)
  • POLI 455 - American Jurisprudence (3 credits)
  • POLI 457 - Environmental Law (3 credits)
  • PSYC 410 - Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
  • PSYC 455 - Psychology of Aggression (3 credits)
  • PSYC 465 - Psychology and the Law (3 credits)
  • ANTH 303 - Murder, Mayhem & Madness: Culture & Crime (3 credits)
  • ANTH 371 - Introduction to Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology (3 credits)
  • COMM 302 - Communication Law and Ethics (3 credits)
  • CSCI 434 - Digital Forensics (3 credits)
  • PHIL 316 - Crime and Justice (3 credits)
  • PHIL 323 - Philosophy of Law (3 credits)
  • HIST 393 - Crime and Punishment in Early America (3 credits)

Criminal Justice Minor

The Minor in Criminal Justice educates students in the areas of policing, courts, and corrections.The minor combines both academic and practical aspects of the criminal justice system. Allowing a variety of classes to fulfil the minor requirements enables students to engage in aspects of the criminal justice system that interest them the most, leading to career opportunities. The minor is open to students of any major. Students in the minor are encouraged to complete an internship related to the criminal justice system to fulfil an elective requirement.

Certificate in Foundations of Data Analysis

Certificate in Law Enforcement

Certificate in Legal Studies

 

Employment Opportunities

Below are a few of the many employment opportunities available to graduates in the fields of Sociology and Criminal Justice:

  • Adult Parole/Probation Officer
  • Child Abuse Investigator
  • Child Support Enforcement Agency
  • City Police Officer
  • Community Corrections Facility Administrator
  • Community Outreach, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention
  • Community Policing
  • Counselor, Community Corrections Facility
  • Counselor, Residential Facility for Juvenile Drug & Alcohol
  • County Prosecutor's Office Investigator
  • Domestic Mediator
  • Domestic Violence Investigator, County Law Enforcement
  • Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
  • Fraud Investigator, Bank
  • Highway Patrol Officer
  • Homeland Security Agent
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service Agent
  • Intake Officer, Halfway House
  • International Conflict Mediation
  • Intensive Probation Coordinator, County Juvenile Court
  • Inventory Control Director, Department Store
  • Juvenile Detention Facility Administrator
  • Juvenile Diversion Program Administrator
  • Juvenile Parole, Department of Youth Services
  • Juvenile Probation Officer
  • Lawyer
  • Mediator
  • Mental Health Division Investigator, Office of Public Defender
  • Paralegal
  • Police Officer, U.S. Capitol
  • Private Security Firm Investigator
  • Program Director, Juvenile Detention Facility
  • Research and Statistics, County Court
  • Restorative Justice
  • Secret Service Agent
  • Security, U.S. State Department
  • Sexual Abuse Investigator, County Court
  • State Board of Pharmacy Investigator
  • State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Agent
  • S. Customs Agent
  • S. Department of Justice; Office of Justice Programs
  • Unit Manager, Adult Correctional Institution
  • University Professor
  • Victim Assistance Program Director
  • Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programs
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 

Robert Jenkot, Ph.D.
Department Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice; Associate Professor
843-349-2274
rjenkot@coastal.edu

or 

Jennifer Schlosser, Ph.D.
Associate Chair, Sociology and Criminal Justice; Associate Professor of Sociology
843-349-2320
jschlosse@coastal.edu