What is possible when a desire for justice meets Christian ethics? Anything.
Criminology is the study of crime. It asks questions like who commits crimes and why? It seeks to understand the impact of crime and develop means of prevention.
As a criminology major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll learn how anthropology, sociology, and economics inform how we view crime. Coursework taught by faculty with global work experience, includes research projects and internship opportunities that will give you the opportunity to make a tangible difference in your community.
Whether you’re learning about environmental crimes or studying serial killers, you'll gain an understanding of human behavior as you learn alternative methods for conflict resolution in the pursuit of justice.
Program Highlights
Interdisciplinary in approach, giving you a broad perspective of criminal justice
Preparation for law school and graduate studies
Networking opportunities with local professionals in the criminal justice system
Internship opportunities available from the District Attorney’s office, TSA and more
Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
Seeking justice in the world today requires knowledge of our legal system, as well as a broad understanding of society. As a criminology major at Fresno Pacific University, you will be equipped with theoretical and applied skills that are essential to the pursuit of justice. You will also gain a background in alternative mechanisms for conflict resolution. Through study that is grounded in criminological methods, interdisciplinary in approach, historical and contemporary in perspective, and informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview, you will be prepared to pursue a value-based career in criminal justice. Upon completion of the major, you will be ready to seek employment in a range of fields or undertake advanced study, and to provide service to society reflective of the values expressed in the Fresno Pacific Idea. Careers in law, criminal justice and justice advocacy are just a few of your employment opportunities.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
To exhibit clear and engaging communication regarding the criminal justice field. [USLO 1 & 2]
To accurately describe the origins, nature and dynamics of conflict and crime from an interdisciplinary perspective. [USLO 3 & 10]
To analyze the various social, psychological and other theories on crime, criminals and society. [USLO 5]
To examine the individual and collective needs of all participants in the criminal justice system, including victims, offenders, and the community. [USLO 4]
To differentiate and evaluate the varied forms of conflict resolution and understandings of justice. [USLO 7 & 8]
To articulate and apply the value of Christian/Anabaptist belief for the criminal justice field. [USLO 9]
PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3 or
PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3 or
SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3 or
SOC 205 - Culture and Society Credits 3
Required Courses (42-47 Units)
Core Program
CRIM 352 - Criminology Credits 3
CRIM 355 - Victimology Credits 3
CRIM 362 - Criminal Procedure Credits 3
CRIM 372 - Diversity and Crime Credits 3
CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
CRIM 392 - Corrections Credits 3
CRIM 412 - Restorative Justice Credits 3
CRIM 422 - Statistics for Sociology and Criminology Credits 3
CRIM 476 - Internship Credits 3
SW 360 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
THEO 465 - Theological Ethics of Conflict and Peacemaking Credits 3
Breadth Program
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:
COM 410 - Media and Society Credits 3
COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
CRIM 410 - Criminal Evidence Credits 3
CRIM 486 - Topics: Criminology Credits 3
PS 372 - Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution Credits 1
PS 373 - Nature, Law and Policy Credits 3
PS 374 - Legal Research and Writing Credits 3
PS 440 - Human Rights & International Law Credits 4
PSY 350 - Child Development Credits 3
PSY 355 - Adolescent Development Credits 3
PSY 395 - Social Psychology Credits 3
PSY 410 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 4
SOC 346 - Human Trafficking: Perspectives and Interventions Credits 3
SOC 350 - Marriage and Family Credits 3
SOC 400 - Social Psychology Credits 3
SOC 410 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3
SW 390 - Chemical Dependency Intervention Credits 3
SW 395 - Studies in Domestic Violence Credits 3
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.
First Steps to Admission
Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in) * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
4 years of college preparatory English
3 years of college preparatory mathematics
2 years of social studies
1 year of laboratory science
1 year of performing art
3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind
Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.
All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702 ugadmis@fresno.edu
For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:
Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission
Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:
Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:
Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class
Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.
Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.
Incoming requirements
This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.
Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$3,902
$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)
$5,026
$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall Apartments: 3 Person
Fall
Spring
Apartments - Room only
$3,306
$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$3,958
$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$4,514
$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)
$5,639
$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal Plans
Fall
Spring
70 Block
$651
$651
140 Block
$1,208
$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan
$2,332
$2,332
* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
Notes about housing
For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.
If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.
Financial Aid
Freshman Scholarships
Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.
Name
GPA
Amount
Paragon
Full Tuition
President's
4.00 GPA and above
$18,000
Dean's
3.75-3.99 GPA
$15,000
Heritage
3.50-3.75 GPA
$14,000
Faculty
3.25-3.49 GPA
$12,000
Founder's
Below a 3.0 GPA
$8,000
Transfer Scholarships
To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
$1,000
Federal Loans and Work-Study
Name
Amount
Federal Direct
$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS Loan
Up to remaining cost
Work-study
Contingent on employment
Private Scholarships
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Net Price Calculator
Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.