The word on the street is that Criminal Justice Programs are soaring in terms of course enrollment. Colleges around the country are announcing new criminal justice degrees to meet the demand.
However, there is a bit of controversy to these new programs. What could it be?
Well, sociology has always been a key sub field for those following a criminal justice degree. But the new programs around the country aren’t including sociology in the course requirements and this is upsetting to sociologists who believe that the two fields should go hand in hand. Chris Uggen, a criminologist who is chair of sociology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, believes that “sociology is worried about losing intellectual jurisdiction over this very important and popular area.”
So, while some say that sociology has always been a huge part of criminal justice studies in the past and that it should continue to be that way, others believe that it is a case of pure $$$ envy. Criminal justice programs are growing, but sociology is not attracting the large numbers of students as in the past and they are just jealous becuase they are not getting their piece of the criminal justice pie.
What do you think-
Does sociology have an integral place in the criminal justice field?
Criminal Justice Resources:
The Crime Fighting Blog
Criminal Justice Careers
