Micro-Credential in Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society
The Micro-Credential in Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society offers a critical understanding of sociological theories and research in the fields of criminology, gender, race, class, sexuality and immigration. Students will learn to think critically about power, inequality and marginality in the criminal justice system. This micro-credential prepares students for advanced study or work in the fields of law, nonprofit or advocacy work, public policy, criminology, and sociology.
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Crime and justice do not exist apart from the society around them. Laws, institutions and responses to crime are shaped by social inequality, political choices and changing ideas about justice.
This micro-credential gives UB students and non-degree learners focused training in these connections. You will use sociological theory and research to examine crime and criminality while developing a deeper understanding of power, inequality and marginalization within the U.S. criminal justice system.
Program highlights
- Examine crime and justice through a sociological lens
- Study how race, class, gender, sexuality and immigration intersect with criminal justice
- Learn to evaluate criminological theories, research and evidence
- Strengthen critical thinking, research and written communication skills
- Apply ideas from your coursework through an integrative final project
- Earn a transcript notation and shareable digital badge
This micro-credential can complement study in sociology, criminology, political science, psychology, social work, public health, law and related fields.
- Eligibility: Open to all majors and UB students with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Credit Hours: 9
- Average Time to Completion: Approximately three semesters when courses are taken one at a time. Students may finish sooner depending on course availability and planning.
Required courses
To earn the micro-credential, students must complete:
1. SOC 211 Sociology of Diversity
2. Two (2) approved elective courses from the following:
- SOC 317- Criminal Justice Systems
- SOC 319- Juvenile Justice
- SOC 337- Sociology of Punishment
- SOC 343- Gender & Crime
- SOC 357- Race, Crime and Criminal Justice
Students must earn a B or better in the required coursework.
Final project
After completing the coursework, students submit a five-page integrative paper that draws on material from the micro-credential. The paper must address one of the following topics:
- Using an intersectional perspective on diversity, explain the relationship between structural/institutional inequalities and the criminal justice system. You might consider: How do inequalities play out in the criminal justice system? What effect does the criminal justice system have on institutional inequalities? Your essay should illustrate at least three aspects of this relationship.
- Choose one area where structural inequality and the criminal justice system interact and propose a policy to address/mitigate that relationship. Your essay should clearly explain the connections between inequality and the criminal justice system, describe the policy, and explain how / why it will serve to address inequalities.
The 5-page paper must be double-spaced and incorporate at least five (5) academic readings from the crime and justice in a diverse society coursework.
Completed papers are submitted to ugradsoc-crim@buffalo.edu.
Earning Digital Badges
Once you complete the requirements, you’ll receive a digital badge from Credly—a verified, shareable credential that highlights your new skills. You can share your badge on LinkedIn, embed it in your e-portfolio or include it on your digital resume.
You will develop skills that help you analyze complicated questions about crime, institutions and inequality with evidence rather than assumptions.
By completing the micro-credential, you will be able to:
- Think critically and sociologically about crime and criminality
- Explain how discrimination and oppression affect people of color and other marginalized populations in the United States
- Describe how different dimensions of identity intersect to create complex experiences and perspectives
- Analyze how class, race and gender inequalities relate to crime and criminality
- Identify major criminological theories, research methods and findings
- Understand theories of crime, deviance and juvenile delinquency, including challenges involved in defining, measuring and explaining them
- Apply sociological concepts from your coursework in an integrative written project
Skills obtained*:
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity and Inclusion
*Categories based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) key competencies.
This combination of sociological knowledge, evidence-based analysis and communication can support careers in law, public policy, advocacy, nonprofit organizations and justice-related fields as well as graduate or professional study.
If you want to understand crime and justice in greater depth without adding a full minor or degree program, this micro-credential offers a focused way to build that expertise.
Current UB students and eligible non-degree learners can enroll using the form below.
Q. What is a Micro-Credential?
A. Smaller than a minor, certificate or degree program, micro-credentials allow you to meet your personalized learning needs by gaining knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your academic or professional goals. Micro-Credentials equip you with "digital badges" that showcase your achievements.
Q. Who is eligible for the Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society program?
A. This program is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the subject of criminology. Sociology majors might consider enrolling in this program to gain expertise in this area. Students from other departments may find that this program adds value to their degree. UB students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall in order to enroll. Non-degree students seeking a credential, but not yet ready to pursue a four-year degree, may be interested as well. Non-degree learners should visit the registrar's website for more information.
Q. What skills will I obtain?
A. The Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society Micro-Credential will prepare students to work in fields related to the criminal justice system like law enforcement, nonprofit or advocacy work, public policy, or law. In the required coursework for this micro-credential, students will learn about the sociological theories and research in the fields of criminology, gender, race, class, sexuality and immigration, and will learn to think critically about power, inequality and marginality in the criminal justice system. This micro-credential will also prepare students for advanced study in the fields of law, criminal justice, criminology and sociology.
Q. How long will it take to complete this program?
A. Approximately three semesters if you take the courses one at a time. The program can be completed more quickly if you take more than one course for the micro-credential at a time.
Q. What will I earn when I complete this program?
A. You will earn a notation on your academic transcript as well as a "digital badge" that you may use on your digital resume or social media sites.
Q. How do I enroll?
A. An online enrollment form can be found below.
To learn more about Micro-Credentials and digital badges, please visit: buffalo.edu/micro-credentials. For more information specifically about the Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society Micro-Credential, please contact ugradsoc@buffalo.edu.