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What is Criminology?

A criminology degree is the study of crime, its causes, prevention, and resolution and is considered a branch of sociology. The field of criminology combines research and theory and applies it to the real-world dynamics that encapsulate crime. This involves understanding behavioral analyses, biological factors, social considerations, and environmental conditions.

The use of criminology is particularly felt in the development of laws, rules and treatments on how to avoid the development of criminal behavior, how to manage existing criminals, and how to offer reform opportunities.  Criminologists study very specific behavior, social structures, and human activity.  As a branch of sociology, it utilizes many of the same methods for gathering data and conducting research.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$56,750

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

36.17%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

14,400

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Criminology Degree

The University of Pennsylvania, or more commonly known as Penn, has a tradition to translate knowledge into social action as well as provide an inclusive policy, impactful engagement, and innovative work. It provides scholarship and learning programs that are designed to be accessible and affordable.

Penn offers a top ranked degree in criminology programs for individuals who wish to establish more knowledge and career in the field. It enables students to acquire a methodological and theoretical framework that generates and assess knowledge in social control and crime. Students enrolled in this graduate and undergraduate program will b- exposed to the structure of courts, public policy, controlling crime, and internship opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Villanova University aims to ignite changes and values personalized experiences wherein students and faculty are partners in providing excellent learning and scholarly inquiry. Students enrolled in the university are intellectually inspired, globally-minded, and morally grounded individuals.

Under its department of sociology and criminology, individuals who want to pursue a career in the criminology field can enroll in the university’s undergraduate minor and major programs. With the guidance of extraordinary faculty, students in this program will be provided with vibrant and relevant courses in the impacts of mass incarceration and crime, and will also be provided by rewarding career opportunities that prepare students to become employed in the industry. In addition, students will learn to have a more holistic understanding of society. 

Acceptance Rate

28.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Founded in 1965, the University of California has a mission to enhance the lives of the community through cutting-edge research, dedicated public service, and rigorous academics. It accommodates over 36,000 students that are enrolled in its 82 major and 75 minor degree programs.

The criminology, law, and society department offer undergraduate, online master’s, and Ph.D. programs that emphasize justice and racial studies. These programs provide students with an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political forces of the law. Students will also be presented overviews of criminal and juvenile justice, legal systems, criminal behavior, and the application of sociology in understanding the law. 

Acceptance Rate

26.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Florida uses more than 200 research, education centers, bureaus, and institutes to bring faculty, staff, and students together to achieve greater goals. Through its world-class faculty and affordable education, it provides students with high-quality learning opportunities.

Individuals who are seeking a criminology degree are welcome to enroll in the criminology major offered by the college of liberal arts and sciences wherein they will study the complexities between the social, political, psychological, historical, and legal influences that affect the law process and justice. The students of the undergraduate program can earn a degree once the 120 credit hours and the university’s requirements are completed. Through its transformative and informative coursework, students will learn about the principles of criminal justice, law and the legal process, general anthropology, moral issues, and the like.

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Miami has a diverse and vibrant academic community that values the races, customs, faiths, and ethnicities of every individual. As a private research institution, the University of Miami has more than 17,000 students worldwide and provides learning opportunities and high-quality educational services.

One of the programs in its College of Arts and Sciences is the B.A in Criminology that concentrates on giving a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system. Students enrolled in the program will be prepared to take a leadership role in the field and become competent professionals in modern society. Courses under the program are designed to help students understand delinquency and crime as well as analyze the functions of police, law, corrections, and court. 

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Located in Washington, the University of Maryland is known as a global leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and research. Today, it has nearly 400,000 alumni all over the globe and currently accommodates over 40,000 students on its campus.

The department of criminology and criminal justice has outlined undergraduate and graduate programs such as bachelor’s, doctorate, and master’s degrees. Students will be prepared for rewarding career opportunities by taking a curriculum that includes criminal investigation, criminal justice research methods, policing, court and sentencing, corrections, and many others. The program aims for an outcome wherein students will be able to demonstrate the three pillars of the criminal justice system, major theories, and competency with their criminological skills.

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

George Washington University provides learning opportunities like no other for students who are interested in following the paths of successful individuals or forge a new path for their own. It has graduate and undergraduate programs in which 26,000 students are currently enrolled.

A master’s degree in criminology is one of the university’s best graduate programs. It is handled by professionals who have years of experience in the field that teaches students the social and behavioral discipline, the evolution of criminal justice, and problems in policing, courts, and corrections. To earn a master’s degree and to further continue training in a doctoral degree, students need to complete the program requirements. 

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The mission of North Carolina State University is to combine personal thoughts with actions to overcome challenges. Believing that students will learn by doing, the university provides positive and fascinating academic learning opportunities for its more than 35,000 students.

Students who wish to pursue work in the field of criminal justice can enroll in the bachelor of arts degree in criminology that is offered by NCSU under the college of humanities and sciences. Participants of the program will be taught by professionals about the correction, prevention, and causes of crime, juvenile delinquency, concern deviance, and the court system. The curriculum includes a 120-hour internship program in one of the field agencies of criminal justice.

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

With a mission to attract and unite faculty and students, Clemson University is recognized as one of the most productive and efficient public universities across the states. Its campus was built in Clemson, South Carolina, and was founded in 1889 by James P. Clements.

The university offers its students an excellent criminal justice degree program that enables students to develop their skills and understanding in crime, human behavior, justice, global policy, and social environments. When becoming entry-level employees in the fields of law enforcement, policy research, and criminal justice, students will be able to use their enhanced skills in criminology. Clemson University also allows its students to pick between a bachelor of science degree or a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice. 

Acceptance Rate

51.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Ohio State University has five campuses across the nation and provides various academic programs for its diverse community of students. Standing for over 150 years, the university never fails to develop a quality curriculum with the help of expert faculty members.

Its three campuses offer majors in criminology and criminal justice studies wherein students will be taught about the dimensions, preventions, and types of crime. The program offers courses on sociological theory, criminology, and statistics in the field of social sciences, and provides students with opportunities for internships and international studies. Upon completion, students will obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Acceptance Rate

53.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Founded in 1897, the San Diego State University is known as the oldest higher academic institution in San Diego. By becoming a leader in public research, the university has 36,000 students attending each year, providing them with opportunities to participate in educational courses and training.

San Diego State University prepares students who wish to work in the field of criminal justice by offering a Master of Science in Criminology. It provides sociological knowledge and emphasizes theoretical perspectives and research methods that are essential in criminal justice policies and social control systems. Graduates of this course will be able to work as a teacher at a community college or engage in criminology research in an agency, and further study for a Ph.D.

Acceptance Rate

34.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

27:1

The University of Minnesota aims to obtain new knowledge that can change how the community works and live by preparing the students to meet the challenges facing society. It has nearly half a million living alumni all around the world while currently houses over 50,000 students as of today.

With the help of its dedicated faculty and staff, the university has designed an undergraduate program known as the sociology of law, criminology, and deviance. Throughout the program, students will possess an understanding of sociological investigation, law, criminology, and develop their theoretical skills. Graduates of the program will gain a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Known as the fastest-rising university in the nation, the University of South Florida offers more than 200 minors, majors, and concentration degree programs in engineering, health, arts, and business. It was founded in 1956 and is equipped with over 16,000 members of faculty and staff.

Through the college of behavioral and community sciences, students can enroll in graduate and undergraduate criminology programs. It develops the necessary knowledge and skills of the students particularly in research methods, theory and policy, critical thinking, and communication. Students of the undergraduate program will obtain a Bachelor of Arts in criminology while graduate students can gain master’s and Ph.D. in criminology cybercrime, and criminal justice. 

Acceptance Rate

47.63

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

Located in California, the Chapman University is the place where huge ideas are born. It strives to make the students become original thinkers that can flourish, rise, and accomplish possibilities in the rapidly changing world.  It offers a minor program in law, justice, and social control which provides students with opportunities to identify and analyze the areas of social control and law while also exploring the aspects of social justice. Students are allowed to choose from various courses such as political science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and forensics. The flexibility of the program allows the students to achieve their own interests in the area of criminology, law, and social justice.

Acceptance Rate

55.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

By providing educational programs that challenge and inspire individuals, Gonzaga University has been known for its excellence in teaching and hands-on training. It values the diversity, inclusion, and equity of the community as well as the sustainability of the environment.

The department of sociology provides a criminology program that teaches students fundamental knowledge in sociological perspectives and consequences of criminal behavior. It also focuses on the development and management of the police, courts, and corrections institutions in the criminal justice field. In addition, students will gain skills and base knowledge for employment in nonprofit and government agencies, as well as in the related field.

Acceptance Rate

61.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

SUNY College at Cortland offers 68 major degrees that provide high-quality academic learning opportunities in natural sciences, business, arts, and other professional studies. It is equipped with dedicated staff, world-class faculty, and a diverse student body that makes up an excellent campus community.

Its B.A. in criminology allows students to focus on the causes and nature of the crime as well as the analysis of crime control policy. Graduates in this program can find career opportunities in law enforcement, criminal investigation, probation, corrections, human services, social work, and youth counseling. Students will also study a wide range of liberal arts education, which provides them with the option of immediately entering the criminal justice industry or pursuing a graduate degree. 

Acceptance Rate

46.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Saint Louis University provides a transformative education that develops the students’ skills to become confident leaders in the industry. The university was established in 1818 by the Jesuits and has been one of the most prestigious universities across the United States.

The college for public health and social justice offers a criminology and criminal justice degree program that offers an innovative approach to justice systems by focusing on the impacts of violence and crime in communities. With the help of the program, the students will also become engaged with the latest criminal justice theory, practice, and research. The university does not only offer high-quality education but also scholarships and financial aids for its students.

Acceptance Rate

58.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Located in California, the University of La Verne is composed of various colleges such as arts and sciences, education, business, public management, law, and other online programs. It also provides scholastic opportunities for students with its nearly 100 degree and credential programs.

Students who are interested in earning a major in criminology will learn to integrate theory application into a broad scientific and humanistic knowledge about the crimes in society. It will also provide emphasis on the development of values and critical thinking skills as well as gives an opportunity for students to become familiarized with the work environment through the internship and thesis requirements. The program can be completed after the 60 semester hours. 

Acceptance Rate

54.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

As a Christ-centered institution, Geneva College offers affordable and excellent academic programs that prepare students for wherever God may call them. Its 55-acre campus in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, accommodates 1430 students who are currently enrolled in the college’s 145 programs of study.

The Department of Psychology and Social Services offered a criminal justice degree to create a transformative and life-changing experience that concentrates on sociology, human services, political science, and psychology. The program also develops the students to become community leaders who serve God through compassionate service. Students of the program will also participate in seminars and internships at local agencies. 

Acceptance Rate

53.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

The University of Denver embodies the spirit of discovery and exploration that defines the history and region of the community. The university is built to explore the research and collaboration between students, faculty as well as local and global communities.

Criminology major is one of the programs of study under the department of sociology and criminology. It is designed to encourage the students to think critically about law, crime, and justice while also focusing on liberal arts education. To earn a bachelor of arts degree, the students need to complete the curriculum including the courses about state violence, capital punishment, sociology of law, gun and society, wrongful conviction, sexualities and the law, and etc. 

Acceptance Rate

58.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

The University of Buffalo, or what others call UB, is a public university that is focused on providing intensive research and academic excellence to make a positive impact across the globe. It was founded in 1864 and belongs to the State University of New York system.

UB has diverse areas of study and one of them is the department of sociology that provides a Bachelor of Arts in criminology. Enrolled students in the program are required to take the following courses: social problems, criminology, classical sociological theory, social research methods, and other elective courses with an overall total of 120 semester credit hours. Students who completed the aforementioned courses will obtain a degree and can have a rewarding career in the criminology field. 

Acceptance Rate

61.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Florida Southern College has a purpose to prepare students to make a positive impact in society by providing dynamic learning opportunities. It is willing to go beyond the conventional higher education experience and guarantees quality education in graduate degrees, internships, and study-abroad programs.

An example of its program is the criminology major wherein students study the causes of crime and assessing social policies. Because of the complexity of the courses, the university ensures that the students are guided by criminology expert faculty that helps students have an essential contribution to society. Students can also choose to pursue a bachelor of science or arts in criminology. 

Acceptance Rate

52.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Stonehill College was founded in 1948 as a catholic institution with a guided approach in creating faith and principles of education. Students enrolled in the college develop their skills to grow into a responsible citizen that values knowledge, compassion, and integrity.  It provides a criminology major and minor programs that are designed by the department of sociology and criminology. Students will learn theory, research, the practice of social sciences, and law through on-campus learning. The program also helps shape the students with knowledge about the definitions of crime, its causes and consequences, as well as the criminal justice system and crime control policies. 

Acceptance Rate

67.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Saint John Fisher College is an independent institution of higher education wherein it focuses on catholic tradition while also emphasizing liberal arts and other career-oriented fields. The college prepares students to be career-ready and committed individuals.  With a class size of 20 to 25, the criminology and criminal justice program helps society to grip what should be done about those who do illegal activities by delving into the criminal mind. It has a multidisciplinary curriculum that addresses a broad range of issues about the historical and social origins of crime and punishment. Throughout the program, students will be taught by the faculty who have experienced in the field and have expanded their network to other criminology professionals.

Acceptance Rate

64.49

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

As a Christ-centered institution, LeTourneau University claims that every workplace around the world has a mission field. It offers more than 130 programs that prepare students to achieve success in aviation, business, education, health science, liberal arts, psychology, and many more.   It has a shalom-seeking discipline program that focuses on criminal justice wherein students can know and understand how to serve in a courtroom, patrol car, prison, and counseling office. The program also concentrates on allowing students to fight against human trafficking by equipping them with peace and justice. The university also provides five-degree programs in minor, associate, and bachelor’s wherein students can choose a program that suits their needs. 

Acceptance Rate

44.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Difference Between Criminal Justice Degree and Criminology

It is easy to confuse criminal justice and criminology as many people may use the terms interchangeable. However, as a discipline of sociology the field of criminology is distinctly different. In simplistic terms, criminal justice is the systemic study of crime detection, punishment, and corrections.

On the other hand, criminology looks at all crime and the effects of crime as a social phenomenon. While both criminology and criminal justice analyze crime and criminal activity, one looks at the systematization (criminal justice) while the other looks at the social impacts (criminology).

Top Degrees in Criminology

A number of criminology degrees exist via accredited colleges and universities across the country. An overview of the online criminology degree and its counterpart, classroom-based programs, can be found offered through large and small colleges with varying course curriculum. Both criminal justice degrees and online criminology degree pathways can be found within most domains listed below.

Some schools emphasize the combination of criminology with psychology, forensics, law enforcement, corrections, and/or technology. As a result of these variations, take the time to request information from several schools to understand their course offerings compared to your preferred area of interest. Below you will find a list of degree program features in criminology to explore further:

Criminology Associate Degree Programs Online

The online associate criminology degree is a 2-year program that fuses general education courses such as math, English composition, communications, and philosophy with core criminology courses to help provide students with a set of holistic reasoning skills and think differently about the world around them.

Students taking classes part-time can expect the program to last around three years depending on the number of courses taken at a given time. Degrees are most frequently conferred as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS) depending on the schools programmatic design.

Core classes in criminology will blend sociology, psychology, criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement classes to help prepare students for a career in the field.

Criminology Bachelor’s Degrees Online

Online bachelor's degrees in criminology are 4-year programs conferred as a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) within most colleges and universities. The bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice bachelor will provide students with additional liberal arts courses along with a deeper understanding of criminal justice disciplines compared to the associate degree programs.

Areas of specialization within criminology can include the criminal justice system, cybersecurity, network security, and contemporary issues in criminology. Classes you will take will be a correlation to your area of specialty but may include courses such as: juvenile law, policing, white-collar crime, violence & victimology, environmental crime, and the criminal justice system.

Criminology Master’s Degrees

Masters degrees in criminology online or taken in a classroom are typically conferred as Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Arts (MA) from accredited colleges and universities. Areas of concentration for online degrees in criminology and criminal justice master will vary by program. Common coursework for graduate students will generally include classes such as: public administration, psychology, emergency management, homeland security, sociology, computer information systems, human services, and forensics.

Classes will be a function of the area of emphasis but may include classes like criminology theory, research methods, legal issues in criminology, quantitative strategies, organizational dynamics, ethics, policing, corrections, and crime prevention.

An MA or MS degree can be completed in 1-2 years of full-time matriculation with all prerequisites met. Students may elect to earn a criminology degree online, on-site, or a hybrid program blending distance learning and classroom-based learning.

PhD Degrees in Criminology

Doctoral degrees in the field of criminology are conferred as a PhD and will take students three to six years to complete depending on the number of courses taken at a given time and length of time spent completing a board-approved dissertation.

Upper-level classes in criminology can include a variety of classes depending on the area of specialization but may include advanced classes like theoretical criminology, qualitative methods, quantitative analysis, advanced criminal justice analysis, ethics, and applied research methods.

Students earning a PhD in criminology are equipped to launch a career in private industry in a variety of administrative or management positions, research organizations, government agencies, or teaching positions within higher education.

Criminology Degree Requirements

Astudent pursuing a degree in criminology will learn about the criminal justice system, psychological and sociological motivations of crime, and study anthropological evidence regarding behavior and interaction.

Criminology differentiates itself from criminal justice by focusing on the motivations for criminal behavior and how to resolve associated problems by utilizing rehabilitative methods and preventive policies; whereas criminal justice focuses on understanding the institutions that employ those policies.

An education in criminology requires an extensive understanding of social behavior, specifically with a focus on aberrant and criminal tendencies, what constitutes those tendencies, and the developmental and cultural issues that may lead to such tendencies.

As a field of study, criminology is complex. It requires the weaving of multiple disciplines of study to accurately and effectively understand the factors and ideas proposed by the field. Students in search of criminology degree can pursue schools with active research publications in the field. Courses you may be offered as criminology major include:

  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Community and Crime
  • Sociology of Law
  • Social Deviance
  • Justice Systems
  • Juvenile Delinquency

Featured: SNHU Online and Seattle University Programs

We are featuring SNHU and Seattle University in criminology given the program rigor, reputation, and industry feedback. Both programs have been found to be leading their respective sub-set of criminal justice & criminology. Both offer online criminology pathways for students to consider, and our team suggests researching both programs further.

Employment Programs in Criminal Justice Sciences

Criminologists may be employed as researchers, policy advisors, law enforcement agents, and teachers. The role of a criminologist is to:

  1. Identify criminal tendencies
  2. Detect large-scale trends
  3. Leverage data to help prevent crime
  4. Engage direct action via law enforcement
  5. Enact legislative policy

Research positions are often found with government agencies or private firms, conducting research and studies in order to better understand the behavior of criminals and positing suggestions that may or may not be applied in order to curb criminal tendencies.

Individuals in law enforcement may utilize methods and ideas gleaned from an education in criminology to implement better methodologies for identifying and dealing with crime. This is often done at the higher level, and in conjunction with findings and reports as issued by law enforcement agencies.

What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree?

Careers you can explore with a criminology degree are vast covering a variety of industries and organization types. From private industry to government agencies, a criminologist can find themselves working as a generalist or a specialist for a variety of organizations. A list of prospective careers in criminology can include any one of the following career paths:

Computer Forensics Legal Assistant
Community Social Worker Community Social Worker
Federal Government Official Correctional Officer
Court Paralegal Blood Spatter Analyst
Crime Scene Investigation Crime Lab Analyst
Cybersecurity Substance Abuse Counselor
Forensic Scientist Bounty Hunter
Court Clerk Border Patrol Agent
Police Officer Game Warden
Air Marshal Parole Officer
Bailiff Court Reporter
Sociologist Information Security Analyst
Conservation Officer Private Security
CIA Analyst FBI Agent
Fire Investigator DEA Agent

Criminology Jobs

There is expected to be a steady rise in demand for criminologists over the next 10 years. This is due to the increased interest in curbing crime through proper analyses and implementing more effective measures by which to keep the public safe. Individuals entering into a career in criminology will have to demonstrate a variety of skills, such as analytics, writing, logic, statistics and others.

Individuals interested in entering the field will most likely have to earn work experience through internships and low-level research positions in order to build the experience necessary to move to the forefront of the field. Individuals in law enforcement will find that a degree in criminology is useful in finding promotion opportunities and working in areas of law enforcement typically closed off to the average officer.

Criminologist Salary

The average wage for a criminologist is approximately $79,750 a year with the top 10% averaging $146,860 a year. Meanwhile, the median annual income for the bottom ten percent is $41,950. Though it is possible to obtain work with a associate's or bachelor's degree, job opportunities and wages increase substantially for those who pursue higher level degrees. If you are considering a degree in criminology, you may also want to consider a degree in forensic science, sociology, criminal justice, and psychology.

Top 15 Associations in Criminology

  1. American Society of Criminology (ASC)
  2. Western Society of Criminology (WSC)
  3. National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
  4. Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA)
  5. International Community Corrections Association (ICCA)
  6. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
  7. American Sociological Association (ASA)
  8. International Association of Women Police (IAWP)
  9. National Black Police Association (NBPA)
  10. American Society of Forensic Scientists (ASFS)
  11. American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)
  12. Biosocial Criminology Association (BCA)
  13. American Jail Association (AJA)
  14. American Correctional Association (ACA)
  15. National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)

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