Sociology & Criminal Justice

Sociology (B.A./B.S.)

Sociology invites us to examine aspects of the social environment that we often ignore, neglect or take for granted. This examination enables us to achieve a better grasp of how society is organized, where power lies, what beliefs channel our behavior, and how societies have evolved over time. The sociological imagination equips us with a special form of consciousness that gives us a better understanding of the social and cultural forces we confront, especially those that constrain us and free us, and how they relate to large scale social structures.

By looking at social and cultural arrangements in imaginative and fresh ways, we gain a new vision of the social experience. We find that the society into which we are born and the culture transmitted to us shape our identities, personalities, emotions, thought processes and fortunes in countless ways.

As majors in sociology at Rockford University, students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree . The all-university and collegial requirements ensure a strong liberal arts foundation for a more specialized program of study.

Criminal Justice (B.A./B.S.) 

Read the latest news release about the new Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice.

Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary field which prepares students for a wide range of careers, such as law enforcement (local, state, and federal), probation and parole, pre-trial services, law, homeland security, fish and game wardens, and advocacy in public policy. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach to criminal justice, incorporating courses from criminal justice, political science, and sociology. Students will gain knowledge and skills in research, writing, public policy, criminology, corrections, juvenile delinquency, terrorism, and transnational organized crime.

As majors in criminal justice at Rockford University, students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree. In this program, the all-university and collegial requirements ensure a strong liberal arts foundation for a more specialized program of study.

Students who pursue the criminal justice degree have a wide range of academic internship opportunities to work for a semester in an agency or organization in the community and earn credits towards graduation.

According to the Rockford Police Department’s Assistant Deputy Chief, Michael Dalke, having this program at RU will benefit both their organizations and the students in many ways. He stated, “Knowing the challenges that are presented in Rockford and having the understanding of the community will set these students at an advantage.” He adds that building the relationships with the community and learning hands-on, through local internships and in the classroom, what it takes to be a part of the Rockford Police department will help prepare students for a successful career upon graduation.