Bachelor's in Sociology - Criminology

The University of Oklahoma (OU) has been a cornerstone of higher education since its establishment in 1890. As a public research university, OU has a diverse academic portfolio, offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines. OU is renowned for its vibrant campus life, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. Boomer Sooner spirit runs deep, and students engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, from cultural and athletic events to research initiatives. The university's commitment to research and innovation is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative projects that contribute to advancements in various fields. With a focus on preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving world, the University of Oklahoma continues to be a hub of academic achievement, creativity, and social responsibility.

Are you interested in crime and criminal behavior? If so, you are in good company. Countless movies and TV shows give us images of criminals, police officers, and prison yards. Nightly newscasts give us reports of murders, burglaries, and drug busts. Here at OU, criminologists study why crimes occur. While their explanations include biological and psychological causes, they emphasize social forces, like our neighborhoods and peer groups, that cause or produce criminal behavior. Criminologists also study criminal and juvenile justice systems, organized crime, political violence, terrorism, and the media's representation of crime. Through coursework and individual projects with faculty, OU Criminology students learn theories of crime and how to test those theories through actual research. Faculty members in the program have a variety of research interests, including deviance, criminal justice, gangs, violence, and white-collar crime. Students can work with professors to conduct research and develop their own research interests within the wide realm of criminology. Students can also complete a three-credit semester-long internship that can be done in a variety of settings, including police departments and correctional institutions.