Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Prison Studies Certificate

Mass incarceration has become one of the most pressing social issues of our time, affecting millions of lives in the U.S. and around the world. The goal of the Prison Studies Certificate is to offer UB students the opportunity to gain intellectual depth about issues related to prisons and incarceration on individual, local, national, and global levels. By completing this interdisciplinary Certificate, students will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to discussions, policies, initiatives, and careers addressing the multifaceted issues of prisons and incarceration. They will be prepared to engage with the complex and evolving landscape of the criminal justice system head-on, and will be able to play a pivotal role in shaping a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable society.

Visit the Sociology and Criminology department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Requirements

Current UB students seeking admission to the Prison Studies Certificate should complete the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Core Requirements

Prison Studies Core (3 credits)

Two Sociology Courses (6 credits)

One Arts & Science Course (3 credits)

One Professional School Course (3 credits)

Two Additional Prison Studies Electives (6 Credits)

Choose any two courses not already taken from the above lists.

Total Credits Required for Certificate: 21

Notes

Sociology and Criminology majors who wish to earn the Prison Studies Certificate can do so, but cannot count non-Sociology courses listed here towards both the Certificate and the major. The Sociology courses can count towards both.

Academic Requirements

Minimum grade of C (2.00) required for all Prison Studies certificate coursework.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the interdisciplinary Prison Studies certificate, students will be able to:

  • Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of the historical development of prisons and the evolution of incarceration systems worldwide, understanding the factors that have shaped their current forms and functions.
  • Articulate the structural inequalities within the criminal justice system, with a focus on racial disparities, and understand the interconnectedness of mass incarceration with broader social justice issues.
  • Understand key policies and laws related to prisons and incarceration, including sentencing laws, parole and probation systems, and initiatives promoting rehabilitation and reintegration.
  • Integrate knowledge from various disciplines to develop a holistic understanding of prisons and incarceration, fostering innovative and comprehensive approaches to address related challenges.

(HEGIS: 2209.00 CRIMINOLOGY- GEN, CIP: 45.0401 Criminology)