Criminology Schools and Programs in The United States

Criminology Studies in The United States

Criminology is the study of crime: why it happens, how society defines and responds to it, and how the police, courts and prisons work. It draws on sociology, psychology, law and political science. In the United States it is taught as an academic social science and is closely linked to criminal justice, a more applied field focused on policing, courts and corrections. The interdisciplinary major in Criminology, Law and Society at the University of California, Irvine, for example, focuses on the problem of crime and on the social, cultural, political and economic forces that shape it, with courses on legal systems, criminal and juvenile justice and forms of criminal behaviour. SpainExchange lists 30 colleges and universities in the United States that teach criminology.

How the degree is organised

There is no single national degree title. Universities award a bachelor's degree (often a BA or BS) in criminology, criminal justice, or criminology combined with law or sociology. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, each institution sets the number of credits needed to graduate, and students also take classes outside their major. Many programmes include practical work: at UC Irvine, field study placements are part of every student's programme, in settings such as police departments, public defenders' offices and probation and parole agencies.

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, which usually takes about two years, and the PhD. The University of Maryland's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice was established in 1969 and graduated its first doctoral students in 1978-79; today it offers undergraduate, master's and PhD programmes. Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees, and BLS notes that many community colleges and 4-year colleges offer programmes in law enforcement and criminal justice.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each college sets its own entry requirements. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application. Some universities also offer online master's programmes, such as UC Irvine's Online Master of Advanced Study in Criminology, Law and Society; ask the university whether an online programme can be combined with a student visa.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions (the in-state rate) and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions, so check what each university charges non-residents. Credits from a community college, which is usually cheaper, can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study criminology

Boston has two schools in this directory, Northeastern University and Emmanuel College; the others are spread across the country. Examples include large public universities such as the University of Maryland in College Park, Florida State University in Tallahassee, the University of Florida and West Virginia University; private universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California and the University of Miami; regional universities such as Central Connecticut State University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington; and community colleges such as Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York.

Recognition and careers

A degree in criminology is an academic qualification, not a licence. Careers in policing usually need extra training: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most police officers and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy, and while the minimum is a high school diploma, some federal agencies and police departments require college coursework or a degree; the FBI may require a bachelor's degree for detectives and investigators. International students should check each employer's eligibility rules before choosing this path. Check also that the university is accredited: EducationUSA notes that a school certified by SEVP may not hold national or regional accreditation.

Typical roles include police officer, probation officer, correctional treatment specialist, crime analyst, victim services worker and policy researcher. BLS projects about 60,100 openings a year for police and detectives over the decade to 2035. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor's degree, and their employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. Forensic science technicians, who collect and analyse evidence, are projected to grow 13%, but these technicians usually have a background in natural sciences. UC Irvine adds that its major prepares students for law school and for graduate study in sociology, criminology and criminal justice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between criminology and criminal justice?

Criminology studies the causes of crime and society's response to it, using methods from the social sciences. Criminal justice is more applied and focuses on how the police, courts and correctional system operate.

How long does a criminology degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's degree usually adds about two years, and a PhD takes longer.

Can a criminology degree lead to law school?

It can. UC Irvine, for example, presents its criminology major as preparation for law school and for graduate study in sociology, criminology and criminal justice.