Overview
About This Degree
Criminology is the social-scientific study of crime, including the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. Closely aligned with the CNM sociology program, the criminology program is designed to meet the requirements for an Associate of Arts in Criminology from CNM. It will also prepare you to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology or Sociology from a four-year college or university.
Pursue Your Goals
Courses in this program help you develop a structural perspective, which in turn gives you a broad understanding of crime, law, and society. You will develop critical thinking skills through comparison of major theories in the field, analysis of crime trends, and evaluation of the criminal justice system.
Information about career options for criminology majors is provided to you by the American Sociological Association and the American Society of Criminology. The criminology program prepares you for further academic study and/or employment in the fields of:
- Parole and probation
- Criminal justice
- Law
Courses
Transfer Credit In
Courses from other accredited institutions can be transferred and used to earn your degree.
Transfer Credits Out
CNM Online Associate degrees transfer to participating four-year colleges in the State of New Mexico. Some restrictions apply.
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All courses are 3 credits, with the exception of Spanish I and Environmental Science for Teachers, both at 4 credits.
Composition I
ENGL 1110
In this course, you will develop reading and writing skills that will help with the writing required in their fields of study and other personal and professional contexts. Students will learn to analyze rhetorical situations in terms of audience, contexts, purpose, mediums, and technologies and apply this knowledge to their reading and writing.
Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems
BCIS 1110
You will examine systems and their impact on commerce, education, and personal activities, as well as utilization of productivity tools for communications, data analysis, information management and decision-making.
Composition II
ENGL 1120
You will explore argument in multiple genres. Research and writing practices emphasize summary, analysis, evaluation, and integration of secondary sources. The emphasis of this course will be on research methods.
Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 1110
This course introduces you to the basic concepts and theories of sociology, as well as to the methods used in sociological research. The course addresses how sociological concepts and theories can be used to analyze and interpret our social world, and how profoundly our society and the groups to which we belong influence them.
Introduction to Criminology
SOCI 2130
You will learn to understand and apply criminological theories that are produced within the field of sociology. These theories focus on how social structures, social contexts and particular kinds of social relationships influence the social activity of crime at both the micro and macro levels.
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 1110
This course introduces you to the concepts, theories, significant findings, methodologies, and terminology that apply to the field of psychology.
Sociology of Deviance
SOCI 2210
This course is designed to provide an overview of the study of deviance and social control from multiple sociological perspectives. The instructor will present how sociologists research deviance and social control and the ethical issues involved in studying human subjects involved in these activities.
Environmental Science for Teachers
NTSC 2110
Introduces major issues in environmental science with emphasis on science processes, scientific investigations and field-based activities, and the integration of technology.
Contemporary Social Problems
SOCI 2310
In this course, you will study the nature, scope, and effects of social problems and their solutions. The course will concentrate on sociological perspectives, theories, and key concepts when investigating problems, such as inequality, poverty, racism, alienation, family life, sexuality, gender, urbanization, work, aging, crime, war and terrorism, environmental degradation, and mass media.
General Biology
BIOL 1110/L
This course introduces non-science majors to basic biological concepts including, but not limited to, the properties of life, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology.
Spanish I
SPAN 1110
Designed for students with little exposure to Spanish, this course develops basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and basic intercultural competence in interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes of communication at the Novice Level of proficiency based on ACTFL guidelines.
Logic, Reason, Critical Thinking
PHIL 1120
The purpose of this course is to teach you how to analyze, critique, and construct arguments. The course includes an introductory survey of important logical concepts and tools needed for argument analysis and composition.
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2120
This course provides an introduction to the study of interpersonal communication. You will examine the application of interpersonal communication in personal and professional relationships.
Introduction to Research Methods
SOCI 2410
This course is a survey of qualitative and quantitative approaches to sociological research. It provides an overview of the research process, focusing on research design, hypothesis formulation, measurement, and data collection. You will develop the ability to critically analyze social research, as well as design and execute your own research projects.
United States History II
HIST 1120
The primary objective of this course is to serve as an introduction to the history of the United States from Reconstruction to the present. The elements of this course are designed to inform you on the major events and trends that are essential in the understanding of the development of the United States within the context of world societies.
Developmental Psychology
PSYC 2120
Study of human physical and psychological change and stability from a lifespan development perspective.
Survey of Mathematics
MATH 1130
This course will develop your ability to work with and interpret numerical data, to apply logical and symbolic analysis to a variety of problems, and/or to model phenomena with mathematical or logical reasoning.
Introduction to Race, Class, and Ethnicity
AMST 1140
This course offers an introduction to the field of American Studies through an interdisciplinary examination of race, class and ethnicity in the United States and in a global context. We will examine histories of injustice, and resistance to injustice
Introduction to Theatre
THEA 1110
This course provides an introduction to the study of theatre. You will examine various components that comprise theatre, such as acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, scenic and costume design, stagecraft, spectatorship, history, theory, and criticism.
Careers & Outcomes
Jobs in the Field
- Compliance Manager
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Criminal Investigator and Special Agent
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher, Post-secondary
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
- Intelligence Analyst
- Police Detective
- Probation Officer
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Social Science Research Assistant
- Sociologist
- Sociology Teacher, Post-secondary
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be able to:
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Apply critical analysis skills in order to:
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Identify and critically consider main issues, concepts, problems, and/or techniques.
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Incorporate more than one perspective (e.g. source, method, technique, and/or approach).
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Demonstrate mastery by evaluating, analyzing, interpreting, and/or synthesizing.
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Communicate effectively in order to:
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Demonstrate organization and/or coherence of ideas, content, and/or formulas.
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Produce communication appropriate to audience, situation, venue, and/or context.
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