Briar Cliff University - The Catholic Franciscan Learning Place

The study of criminal justice at Briar Cliff is a special interdisciplinary program drawing from the disciplines of sociology, political science, psychology and social work. It is designed to prepare a generalist at the undergraduate level for such career options as community policing and community corrections, juvenile diversion and monitoring, court administration, correctional institutions, probation and parole, victim reconciliation and mediation programs, security administration, investigation and research.

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The United States has always been a diverse nation, and current demographic projections indicate that it will become increasingly diverse over the next several generations. The minor in diversity studies is designed to allow students the opportunity to examine the numerous aspects of life in a diverse American society in great detail. Through the coursework offered in the program, students will be exposed to various facets of the racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender and religious diversity in the United States and the ways in which this diversity is manifested in the nation's culture, economy and politics.

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The minor in Global Studies is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine the many dimensions of globalization and to understand the place of the United States in this process.

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The program in legal studies is designed to prepare students in any major for success in law school. The American Association of Law Schools recommends that students receive a broad liberal arts education and hone their critical thinking, analytical, communications, and reading comprehension skills during their undergraduate careers. The legal studies program is designed to hone these crucial skills to help students prepare for law school in addition to providing them with a solid background in the American legal system.

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Sociology is the scientific study of society: the social lives of individuals, groups, culture, and major social institutions. It covers both the impact of individuals on society and of society on the individuals living within it. The major prepares students for a career in a variety of fields as well as providing a foundation for graduate school.

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The sociology teaching endorsement prepares students to instruct classrooms on the social lives of individuals, groups, culture and major social institutions. This endorsement is for students interested in a teaching career for grades 7-12.

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The Department of Sociology offers an interdisciplinary minor in social research. The minor prepares interested students to participate actively and responsibly as researchers in their local communities, for business and governmental agencies, and for national and international organizations.

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