Victimology & Victim Services, Minor

 Introduction

Victimology is a multidisciplinary branch of criminology, based on research in criminal justice, psychology, public health, anthropology, history, and economics. It examines the nature of the victimization process; the relationships between victims and offenders; the emotional, physical, and economic impact of crimes on victims; and the interactions between victims and other social groups and institutions, including the family and school. The field of victimology includes victim profiling and forensic victimology, the scientific study of victims that focuses on the victims’ lifestyles, circumstances, the events leading up to the crime, and the nature of the victimization. 

 In general, the field of victimology offers evidence-based practices for understanding victim-offender dynamics, victim services, and the prevention of victimization. The minor provides students with a coherent set of interdisciplinary courses, giving them broad competency in victimology and victim services, while at the same time it introduces them to specialized areas, enhancing their ability to work with a variety of victims, such as women, men, children, the elderly, and the LGBTQ population. The minor also provides students with opportunities to conduct research, learn from guest speakers and engage with the community. 

Once students have completed the minor, they will have:

• Acquired an informed and balanced knowledge about victims, victimization, and victim services;

• Demonstrated proficiency in a range of theoretical perspectives in victimology;

• Understood the impact of victimization on various populations of victims;

• Developed an understanding of victims’ rights and the criminal justice response to victims and victimization. 

Program Organization

The Victimology and Victim Services minor is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed 20 credits (five courses). Students will take a mandatory introductory course which will examine the history of victimology, basic concepts, and consequences of victimization, offender-victim relationships, and the victim’s role in the criminal justice system. Students will then select three electives, one course from each of two categories.

• Category One: Types of Victimization and Victims

• Category Two: Contemporary Victim-Related Issues

• A third course from either of the above categories

Students will complete the minor with a capstone course, a senior-level interdisciplinary course which will focus on victim assistance programs, victim-witness services, victim-offender programs, victim rights, victim advocacy, and national organizations for victims. Note that an alternative course or experience may take the place of the required capstone course with permission of the minor coordinator.

At least 8 credits required for the minor must be at the 3000 level or above. 

Admission to the Program

The Victimology and Victim Services Minor is open to students of all majors. Interested students should inform their preceptor of their interest and complete the Declaration of Major/Minor Form, available through Academic Advising to declare the minor officially. The declaration form must be signed by the minor Coordinator. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum, many of the courses may be applied toward program, cognate, or at-some-distance requirements. Planning early, particularly in programs with highly structured requirements, can help students complete the minor without taking additional courses beyond the basic 128 credit hours needed for graduation. 

Career Opportunities

The Victimology and Victim Services Minor will prepare students for entry into a wide variety of positions in fields such as criminal justice, social work, counseling, gerontology, and nursing. It can be especially useful for those who interact directly with victims, their families, and their communities, such as police officers and other first responders, probation officers, counselors, social workers, and medical emergency personnel.