Criminology is a field of study closely linked to sociology that examines the reasons why crime exists and persists in society. Degree programs are offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and are often highly interdisciplinary. Students develop analytical skills that will prepare them for entry-level positions in crime labs as forensic specialists, private investigators, law enforcement officers, and various other criminal justice related careers. Typical salaries in this field vary widely depending on the individual’s level of education, job title, and overall career path.

The curriculum in a criminology program is designed to help students learn about the criminal justice system and its processes, the roles played by individuals in the system, and the fundamentals of crime scene investigation and processing. Students should be interested in a range of subjects, such as psychology, sociology, law, and biology, as well as the principles of explaining crime and helping professionals investigate crime scenes. There are many specialty areas within criminology, such as criminal behavioral analysis, ballistic analysis, fingerprint analysis, and trace evidence processing. Criminology students learn how to solve crimes according to the scientific method and gain skills in analyzing suspect behaviors.

The Sociology Department offers a specialized program in criminology, designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the field. Courses focus on the characteristics and causes of crime and deviance and on the origins, nature and consequences of societal reactions to crime and deviance, giving particular attention to the criminal justice system. Basic instruction is also given in sociological theory and research methods.

The program is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue one of the following career options:

• Graduate work in the social sciences with a special emphasis on criminology or criminal justice.
• A career in criminal justice (e.g. law enforcement, corrections, crime prevention), especially in agencies or departments involved in planning and evaluation.
• A career in law, social work or counseling

A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or higher is required for regular admission to the criminology major. The Department will accept the grade of C in required and elective courses in the Criminology major but requires that the student maintains a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in courses applied to the Criminology major. Courses taken for CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to major requirements.

A sociology major may not also major in criminology. Criminology majors may not minor in sociology or social welfare without and approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor.

Students must complete 34 hours of coursework in criminology – 28 hours in core coursework and 6 hours of pertinent electives. Please see the degree worksheet for course requirements.

About the Study of Criminology

Criminology is the study of why individuals commit crimes and was born out of the study of sociology. Where criminal justice is the study of the practical and legal systems that have to do with criminal behavior, criminology is more focused on studying offenders and why criminals act the way they do. Because of its connection with sociology, criminology is best prepared to offer interdisciplinary explanations as to why crime exists.  

One of the great parts about majoring in criminology is that it can take you places. That understanding of how and why crime occurs provides a broad base of knowledge that can be used in a variety of positions and directions.

The criminology major is the third largest major at Stonehill College with over 200 students. Students who graduate with a criminology degree can enter such areas as research, policing, probation, corrections and victim advocacy. However, many students decide to attend graduate school or law school. Students often also study psychology, business, political science, natural sciences and sociology while engaged in the study of criminology.

In short, criminology majors can work wherever criminal behavior needs to be examined, explained and mediated. You can work within law enforcement and the judicial system, but businesses also hire criminology majors to help prevent cyberattacks and investigate corporate misconduct. In addition, criminology majors can also work for community-based organizations as counselors, attorneys and advocates. The choice is yours to make.

Why Criminology at Stonehill? At a glance

• Ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in Massachusetts on College Factual’s list of the best U.S. colleges for a major in criminology
• Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills
• Conduct original research and learn how to present findings
• Be prepared to enter into an array of positions, including private and non-profit organizations, graduate and law school as well as positions in policing, the courts and corrections
• Build relationships with faculty mentors. Learn from professors who are actively engaged in criminology and provide top-notch advising
• Choose from a wide-range of course offerings. Explore different facets of criminology, sociology and anthropology
• Sharpen your skills. Hone your writing, public speaking and critical thinking skills throughout the program
• Tailor your experience. Follow your interests and take advantage of opportunities for student-facilitated research, challenging internships and community-based learning experiences 
• Become qualified. Graduate knowing that you are qualified to enter a variety of postgraduate opportunities

Criminology Minor Requirements (worksheet for minors)

Sociology majors may not minor in criminology without a special approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor. Note that any course applied toward the total hours of one major or minor may not also be applied toward the total credit hours of another major or minor. When a major or minor have courses that overlap with one another or with another major or minor, students are required to take additional course(s), as approved by the sociology undergraduate advisor.

The Department will accept the grade of C in required and elective courses in the criminology minor but requires that the student achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Courses taken CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to criminology minor requirements.

Students must complete 21 hours of coursework in criminology – 15 hours in specific coursework and 6 hours of pertinent electives. Please see the worksheet for course requirements.

Criminology is a broad field and the recommended degree level will depend on individual career goals. For example, while only 40% of criminal investigators recommend that individuals entering the field have some college education or a post-secondary certificate, 77% of sociologists recommend that applicants have a doctoral degree.^1,2

Examples of courses in a criminology degree curriculum include:

• Theories of Social Order
• Culture and Crime
• Economics of Crime and Social Problems
• Criminal Justice System
• Criminal Procedures and Evidence
• Police and Society
• Victimology
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Drugs and Crime
• White Collar Crime
• Psychology of Criminal Behavior
• Punishment and Corrections
• Criminal Investigations
• Crime Analysis
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Crime and Public Policy
• Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights
• Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
• Criminal Justice Theory

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

The Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania is highly regarded nationally and internationally and offers three on-campus degree programs in criminology: an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree, a master of science, and a small PhD program. The bachelor’s degree is the only such program offered by an Ivy League school and enables students to analyze crime from a variety of different historical and theoretical perspectives to develop a thorough foundation. The master’s program prepares students for either further study in research or for practice in the workplace in criminal justice organizations. Dual degrees are also available pairing criminology with government administration, law, and social policy. The doctorate program at UPenn focuses on research and students are required to pass comprehensive exams, lead a research project, and write and defend a dissertation.

Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)

Loyola confers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology that prepares students to assume positions of leadership in criminal justice-oriented organizations. To earn the degree students complete 30 credit hours of coursework divided between five required courses and five electives. Courses in the core program of study include Theories of Criminal Behavior, Program Evaluation and Research Methods, and Applied Data Analysis and Interpretation. The program may be pursued under a thesis or a non-thesis option; students on the non-thesis track complete a comprehensive examination in lieu of the thesis. Loyola University Chicago established its first criminal justice and criminology degree program in 1975, and students have been benefitting from the university’s proximity to and partnership with Chicago and Cook County criminal justice agencies since that time. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree may also be interested in the school’s five-year bachelor’s/master’s program in criminology and criminal justice.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Criminology Degree?

I get this question a lot: how long does it take to get a Criminology degree? Truthfully, that depends on which degree level you want to pursue. Is it an Associates, a Bachelors, a Masters, or a PhD in Criminology? Are you taking Criminology at a traditional campus university or college? Or, is the Criminology degree from an online school?

Answer based on an average of the expected completion time:

Associates Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 2 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 1 to 2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Bachelors Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 3 to 3 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 4 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 4 and 1/2 to 5 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Masters Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 to 2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
  • 2 to 3 years is the norm – usually full time: may depend on the school
  • 3 and 1/2 to 5 years , or more – usually part time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
• Online
  • 1 to 2 and 1/2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

PhD / Doctorate Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 – with a Masters degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology or prior permission to take on higher class load, usually the former expedites the doctorate.
  • 4 to 5 years is the norm – usually full time: the length of the degree may depend on the school
  • 5 to 6 years, or more – usually part time or a class a time: colleges and universities often cap their PhD program at 5 years, prior permission may be required
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower -but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Various Degree Options in Criminal Justice

Candidates who have decided to pursue careers in this field can choose from several different degree levels. Because there are so many different degree levels available for aspiring criminal justice professionals, candidates can choose from almost any career possible and just select the appropriate degree program. Sometimes, an individual may earn an associate degree and find a job with those particular educational requirements.

Once the individual has some work experience, he or she may pursue a higher-level position without earning a higher degree. Experience plays an essential part in many jobs. They can often complete a certificate program if they need additional education for a specific position.

• Associate Degree – These two-year degree programs are from technical schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Students who want to begin working sooner rather than later often choose them.
• Bachelor’s Degree – Typically, four-year bachelor’s degree programs are at many colleges and universities. Standard undergraduate programs are a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
• Graduate Certificates – Often, these certificates are a portion of a master’s degree, and students can apply the credit toward the degree.
• Master’s Degree – This graduate program generally takes two years to complete, provided the individual already has a bachelor’s degree. They’re at many colleges and universities.
• Doctoral Degree – A doctoral degree from a university takes one to two years to complete. Students typically complete a thesis or a dissertation.

It’s also possible for criminal justice majors to earn a degree in this field through distance learning. Many courses are online, and the student completes a supervised internship in the area.

Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice

Individuals who wish to join the field quickly without attending college for years are generally happy to discover several 2 year degrees in criminal justice programs are available. In the program’s first half, students in criminal justice associate degree programs will complete general education courses like communication, speech, psychology, math, and English. Then, they complete criminal justice courses in the second half.

At the end of the program, the student must obtain some hands-on training through field experience or an internship in a criminal justice atmosphere. Here are a few possible jobs a graduate with an associate’s criminal justice degree may obtain after only two years of college.

• Police Officer / Police Officers
• Paralegals
• Legal Assistants
• Corrections Officer / Corrections Officers
• Private Investigators
• Fish and Game Warden / Fish and Game Wardens
• Fire Inspector and Investigators
• Crime Scene Technicians
• Gaming Surveillance Officers
• Bailiffs
• Police Dispatch
• Security Officers / Security Guards

Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice

Candidates who complete a bachelor’s online criminal justice program can choose from jobs requiring baccalaureate degrees and careers offered at the associate’s degree level.

Additionally, completing a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice typically takes four years. Programs may also require the student to complete general education courses. But, some classes may be part of their associate degree curriculum.

Students who complete a certificate program may not need four years to earn the degree if they already have credits from a certificate. While they may be in school longer than if they’d pursued an associate degree, they are also putting themselves in positions to earn higher wages and find a wider variety of career options.

The majority of professionals pursue a criminal justice bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some criminal justice graduates go on to attend law school.

• Probation Officer
• Police Officer
• Correction Officer / Correctional Officers
• Teacher or Trainer
• Correctional Treatment Specialists
• State and federal courts
• Forensics / Forensic Science Technicians
• Private Security
• Emergency Management
• Homeland Security
• Federal Law Enforcement
• Social Services
• Paralegal / Legal Assistant
• Compliance Manager

Graduate Degrees in Criminal Justice

Both master’s and doctoral degree programs are graduate degrees in criminal justice. Candidates can expect to be in college for an additional one to three years or six to eight years. The bright side is that graduates can choose from just about any criminal justice career imaginable once they complete the program.

Many candidates who pursue a doctoral criminal justice degree follow a career path in research or academia. Graduates of criminal justice graduate-level programs qualify for most criminal justice administration positions and leadership positions.

• Correctional Officer Supervisor
• Police and Detective Supervisor
• Forensic Psychologist
• Criminal Profiler
• Criminologist
• Attorney General Investigator
• District Attorney
• Forensic Examiner
• Supervisory Criminal Investigator
• Attorney

Students choosing master’s degree programs are often students who have already earned a criminal justice bachelor’s degree but are interested in specializing in a specific area of criminal justice.

Online Forensic Psychology Degree Programs

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

Arizona State University’s highly-regarded School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in criminology and criminal justice fully online. In the bachelor’s program, students take the same courses as on-campus peers and must take general education, interdisciplinary, and core courses in criminology. The graduate program incorporates two core areas of study, theory and research, as well as research methods and analytical techniques. The criminal justice program at Arizona State University has been highly ranked by US News & World Report and its faculty have been recognized for their contributions to research in the fields of criminal justice and criminology. On-campus options also include a five-year program for a combined bachelor’s/master’s in criminal justice and criminology and a PhD program.

The University of Texas at Dallas (Dallas, TX)

At the University of Texas at Dallas, students can earn a Master of Science in criminology through its School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences either online or on-campus. The multidisciplinary curriculum covers theoretical and applied research in the causes and control of crime as well as variations in the patterns of crime over time and geography. Students enrolled in the program complete a 15-credit hour core of courses such as Etiology of Crime and Criminality, Crime and Justice Policy, and Research Design. Students additionally complete 21 credit hours of electives, of which six graduate-level credit hours may be taken from programs outside criminology and of which a further six credit hours may be faculty-supervised independent study. Graduates are prepared to assume advanced roles in criminal justice, to teach as adjunct faculty at the college level, and to pursue terminal degrees in criminal justice-related areas. The university also offers on-campus bachelor and doctoral degrees in criminology.

How Much Does a Criminal Justice Degree Cost?

The cost of any degree can vary depending on the degree level, program, and school. Most schools charge a per-credit tuition rate for classes. The price per credit is less for associate degrees and increases for bachelor’s and graduate degrees. So to save some money, you may want to begin your education at a community college. Then, after two years, you can transfer to a university. 

Generally, a state university is less expensive than a private school. And in-state tuition is lower than out-of-state tuition. However, there are exceptions. For example, some states have reciprocity agreements and offer lower rates to neighboring states. Additionally, more private schools now offer competitive financial assistance packages. So, it is worth applying for aid before you make a final decision.

The College Board reports the 2021 average tuition and fees for full-time students are:

• Public 2 year in-district: $3,800
• Public 4 year in-state: $10,740
• Public 4 year out-of-state: $27,560
• Private nonprofit 4 year: $38,070

Finally, many online degree programs now offer tuition at a set rate regardless of residency. As a result, many of these programs have less expensive rates than their traditional on-campus counterparts.

Criminology Job Description

Graduates of programs in criminology are prepared to find work in a variety of fields. A bachelor’s degree in criminology can be completed in four years, with an additional two years typical for completing a master’s degree. It can take another three to six years to earn a doctorate for those interested in applied research or teaching at the college level. Individuals who enjoy working with people may find employment as corrections officers, counselors, or rehabilitation officers. Jobs are also available in local, state, and federal governments to develop and evaluate policies and procedures related to the legal and criminal justice systems, such as policy analysts and legal assistants. Research careers in criminology and sociology are possible at the doctoral level in universities, think tanks, and government departments.

Benefits of Criminal Justice Degrees

A criminal justice degree is a source of pride for a lot of graduates. In many criminal justice jobs, professionals help others and make a real difference. Having a degree in criminal justice offers many benefits.

• Wages – jobs for criminal justice majors have the potential to bring in very good salaries.
• Job Outlook – Graduates of criminal justice degree programs typically see very good job growth and are almost always in demand.
• More competitive – these careers seem to be very popular today. An individual with a degree in criminal justice will have a competitive edge over someone with just a high school diploma or certificate of higher education.
• Variety of career opportunities – Graduates of criminal justice degree programs can choose from numerous career opportunities.
• Benefits – Insurance and benefits packages have become very important today to individuals starting new jobs. Criminal justice majors typically land jobs with very good benefits packages.
• Flexible learning – Unlike many degree programs students complete on campus, criminal justice degree programs are also online or hybrid, so they are very flexible.
• Ability to help others – Criminal justice professionals are almost always in a position to help others or help their communities, whether working as police officers, forensic scientists, or jailers. paralegals or probation officers.