Sociology B.S. | Crime, Law, and Deviance Track<\/p>\n
Crime makes headlines. Understanding it takes evidence. Study why crime occurs, how laws are created and enforced, and how communities respond to harm.<\/p>\n
UCF\u2019s Crime, Law, and Deviance Track<\/strong> examines crime, victimization, and the social institutions that respond to them. You\u2019ll connect sociological explanations with training in research methods and data analysis, evaluate claims about crime and public safety, and complete an original research project.<\/p>\n Interested in crime, law, or public safety? Explore these Spring courses as you consider the track or look for a course that complements your current major.<\/p>\n\t\t\t Track Elective | 3 Credits<\/p>\n Format:<\/strong> Online and in person<\/p>\n What can patterns of homicide tell us about society? Examine the social contexts of murder and evaluate explanations that go beyond the individual case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t Track Elective | 3 Credits<\/p>\n Format:<\/strong> Online<\/p>\n Who experiences victimization, and what happens afterward? Explore its consequences and the ways communities and institutions respond to victims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t Required Core | 3 Credits<\/p>\n Format:<\/strong> Online and in person<\/p>\n Why does crime occur, and why does it vary across communities? Study sociological explanations of crime and the evidence used to assess them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Use Class Search in myUCF and select Spring 2027 to check sections, availability, prerequisites, and enrollment restrictions. Ask your advisor how a course applies to your major or the Crime, Law, and Deviance Track.<\/p>\n Find Spring Courses in myUCF<\/a>Explore Track Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n A focused pathway within the Bachelor of Science in Sociology. The degree requires 120 total credit hours.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t Build skills in statistics, research design, and analysis, then bring them together in an original research project and capstone.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t The track may be completed fully online. Some electives and prerequisites may require other arrangements; plan your selections with an advisor.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n You\u2019ll study how social conditions shape crime and victimization, how behavior comes to be defined as deviant or criminal, and how laws and justice institutions operate. You\u2019ll also learn to turn a question into a researchable problem, select an appropriate method, analyze evidence, and explain what the findings support.<\/p>\n The research sequence gives you work you can discuss with employers and graduate programs: the question you investigated, how you studied it, what you found, and why it matters.<\/p>\n Build a foundation for work in justice-related organizations, victim services, community programs, public agencies, policy, and research. The track also supports preparation for graduate or professional study in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, public policy, and law.<\/p>\n Plan your coursework and experience around the field you want to enter. Career requirements vary by role and may include professional training, certification, or further education.<\/p>\n The overview below helps you plan your pathway. Use the official UCF program information and your degree audit with an advisor to confirm the requirements for your catalog year.<\/p>\n Official UCF Program Requirements<\/a>Undergraduate Advising<\/a><\/p>\n The program\u2019s basic-core list includes the following alternatives. Confirm the appropriate selection with advising, particularly if you are transferring credits.<\/p>\n Complete all four courses:<\/p>\n Complete seven approved courses. Areas of study include:<\/p>\n\t\t\t See the official program requirements for the approved elective list and consult advising before choosing a course to fulfill this requirement.<\/p>\n Complete an approved methods option. Choices include spatial analysis, qualitative research, GIS applications, applied sociology, and social network analysis. The published program also includes selected criminal justice methods courses and approved research-based options. Check the official list and prerequisites with your advisor.<\/p>\n SYA 4450 \u2013 Data Analysis: Capstone (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n Bring your research training together through analysis and an original research project.<\/p>\n Combine sociology with coursework in another field related to crime, law, or justice. The program identifies a 15-credit interdisciplinary requirement, with related minors or certificates and an alternative of 15\u201318 credits outside sociology, subject to Undergraduate Program Director approval.<\/p>\n Possible complementary areas include Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping, Crime Scene Investigation, and Victim Advocacy. Plan this component with advising; courses may not double count between the Sociology major and the selected minor or certificate.<\/p>\n You can start by discussing a Spring course, reviewing how your completed coursework fits the track, or planning a change of major. Undergraduate advising can help you compare the options and build a workable degree plan.<\/p>\n Talk with Undergraduate Advising<\/a>Change of Major Information<\/a><\/p>\n Dr. Angela Vergara<\/strong> Department of Sociology<\/strong>Start with a Spring 2027 Course<\/h2>\n
SYP 3511
\nSociology of Murder<\/h3>\nSYP 4521
\nCrime Victims in Society<\/h3>\nSYP 3520
\nCriminology<\/h3>\nThe Track at a Glance<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
A Sociology B.S.<\/h3>\n
Original Research<\/h3>\n
Online Option<\/h3>\n
Understand Crime. Learn to Investigate It.<\/h2>\n
What You\u2019ll Learn to Do<\/h3>\n
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Where This Preparation Can Lead<\/h2>\n
Track Requirements<\/h2>\n
Basic Core | 3 Credit Hours<\/h3>\n
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Advanced Core | 14 Credit Hours<\/h3>\n
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Crime, Law, and Deviance Electives | 21 Credit Hours<\/h3>\n
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Advanced Methods | 3\u20134 Credit Hours<\/h3>\n
Data Analysis: Capstone | 4 Credit Hours<\/h3>\n
Interdisciplinary Crime, Law, and Justice Study<\/h3>\n
Ready to Explore Crime, Law, and Deviance?<\/h2>\n
Questions About the Track?<\/h3>\n
\nSociology Undergraduate Program Director
\nAngela.Vergara@ucf.edu<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHoward Phillips Hall (HPH), Room 403
\n407-823-3744<\/a>
\nsociology@ucf.edu<\/a><\/p>\n