California State University Long Beach
California State University, Long Beachs School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in Criminology & Criminal Justice that is recognized as one of Californias most innovative and best undergraduate criminology programs. CSU Long Beachs best undergraduate criminal justice programs include classes in criminal courts & judicial process, crime and inequality, comparative criminal justice and transnational crimes, substantive criminal law, and constitutional criminal procedure, to name a few.
California State University, Long Beach is a public institution of higher education that is also one of the 23 member schools of Californias state university system. California State University at Long Beach is the second-largest campus with a student enrollment that exceeds 33,950 students each year. California State University, Long Beach has the largest graduate student enrollment of any CSU member campus.
Program: BS in Criminology & Criminal Justice
University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Points: 11Net Price: $15,686
The University of North Dakotas Criminal Justice program draws from several departments, including the departments of Philosophy, Anthropology, and Sociology. This partnership among these departments and the Department of Criminal Justice provides students with the resources and alternative perspectives not available at many other universities. UND offers one of very few doctoral programs in the U.S. recognized by the American Association of Doctoral Programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as the only specialized doctoral program for students with a JD degree. UND is also home to four criminal justice student groups, which host trips, events, and volunteer projects for criminology degree hopefuls.
The University Of Hong Kong Centre For Criminology
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Graduation Rate: 96%
Employability Index: 91%
Established in the 21st century, the University of Hong Kong, Centre for Criminology is one of the top-rated criminology schools in the world.
This center of learning provides exceptional educational services which aim at encouraging the development of crime-related research, criminal education and justice policy in the Asian region.
Moreso, this criminology program focuses on the transfer of education in crime prevention and investigation. The center covers a wide range of topics and experiences, and introductory courses are offered that cover theories and concepts used in criminology and crime prevention.
In addition to that, the center of criminology provides a home for coordinated and indigenous studies of crime and criminal justice in Hong Kong.
The University of Hong Kong offers scholarships known as merit-based scholarships to both national and international students who cannot pay through school.
According to QS World University Rankings, the University of Hong Kong ranked 28 in the 2014-15 and 43 in the Times University Global Rankings 2014-15.
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Criminology Masters Degree Programs: Curriculum
Core Masters Courses in Criminology
- Crime and Justice Policy
- Law and the Criminal Justice System
- History of Criminological Thought
Masters Thesis in Criminology
Though non-thesis options are available, many master of criminology degree programs require a masters thesis prior to graduation. This culminating element of the program requires numerous hours of scholarly research on an advanced topic in criminology. This research must be compiled and documented in a lengthy academic paper complete with in-depth analysis of the topic. Students must then present the paper to a panel of professors who will ask challenging questions regarding the concepts presented and research methodologies used.
What Can You Do With A Degree In One Of Ucms Criminal Justice And Criminology Programs From Ucm
Whether you want to take courses for criminal justice online or attend our classes in person, the University of Central Missouri prepares you for success in this dynamic and important field.
Our undergraduate and graduate classes educate you in criminal justice and criminology careers focused on central themes such as enforcing rules, helping people within the criminal justice system, working in a law office or investigating offenses such as fraud and abuse.
A degree from UCMâs Criminal Justice and Criminology programs prepares you for criminology careers such as:
- Community mental health advocacy
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Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $9,650
Points: 7
SNHU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Criminology and Crime Analysis. This is one of the top online criminology programs weve come across. Its designed for working students who want to attend flexible courses while balancing outside obligations.
All classes are delivered online, but there are no set class meeting times, so you can access the course materials 24/7 and learn on your own schedule. Some of the courses you will take in this program include:
- Policing in the United States
- The United States Judicial System
- The United States Correctional System
- Technology in Criminal Justice
- Crime Analysis and Solutions
- Problem Solving for Criminal Justice Professionals
U.S. News and World Report have ranked SNHU as one of the most innovative schools in the country every year since 2015.
Mount St Marys University
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Points: 7Net Price: $25,090
Mount St. Marys University offers several options for undergraduate students interested in criminology from its department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Students may choose to minor in Criminal Justice, pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, or declare a double major in Sociology/Criminal Justice. Those who wish to connect with other criminology degree students, alumni, and future employers have the opportunity to join the schools Criminal Justice Student Association as well as Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society.
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Search California Criminal Justice Schools
For many students, finding the right school means looking beyond rankings and scores alone. Taking into account other factors, like student population and available degree levels and concentrations can help narrow the list. This search tool can help students find criminal justice schools in California that not only meet their academic goals, but also fit within their lifestyle and financial obligations.
Certifications And Licenses A Bachelor’s In Criminology Prepares For
The NAFC offers several voluntary clinical and non-clinical certifications, including forensic counselor, sex offender treatment specialist, juvenile treatment specialist, domestic violence counselor, and addictions counselor. Non-clinical certification requires a bachelor’s degree, a state license where applicable, supervised experience, and a passing exam score.
This certification provides credentials to security professionals working in IT security and cybercrime. The CPP credential demonstrates knowledge and competency in the major domains of security risk assessment. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and seven years of security experience.
NCPM certification requires 40 hours of specialized training. The designation assists candidates with the training necessary to establish themselves in mediation and conflict resolution. The association also administers a certified mediator course.
The CFE credential establishes qualifications for professionals working in fraud detection and deterrence. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of finance and law. Candidates for certification must pass an exam covering financial transactions and fraud schemes, fraud investigation methods, and law.
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Best Colleges For Criminology 2020
The 25 schools on this list offer the top Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminology, based on median salary one year out of college. University of Maryland – College Park is ranked #1 with a salary of $39,100. The school with the lowest median debt for this degree is University of Houston-Clear Lake, with a debt of $14,077. Median salaries for the top 25 schools range from $32,100-$39,100.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
| Rank |
|---|
| $32,100 |
Choosing A Great Criminology School
Your choice of criminology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Criminology School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
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Best Bachelors In Criminology Degree Programs 2022
Fill in the blank: To fight crime, we must first ________.
If you said, understand it, then you are absolutely correct. Thats where criminology comes in.
To put it simply, criminology is the study of crime. The field is fascinating and involves understanding why crimes are committed, what society has to do with it, and the best ways to prevent future crimes.
If these types of questions intrigue you, then you may be a great fit for criminology. Criminology majors study whys behind crimes and they also have various careers to choose from when they graduate!
So, where should you start? The top criminology and criminal justice degree is just what you need to succeed in this industry.
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Pick Your Criminology Degree Level
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Criminology Schools list to help you make the college decision.More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology.
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University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, Maryland
Points: 15Net Price: $18,418
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of MarylandCollege Park is home to the most popular major on campus and one of the most highly-ranked doctoral programs in the U.S. The Criminology and Criminal Justice program is a Limited Enrollment Program. These programs are competitive majors that only allow a certain number of students to enroll. This ensures that only the most dedicated students remain in the program. This already rigorous criminology degree program is complemented by several enrichment opportunities, including an honors program, internships, and research, and study abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Universities Offering Criminology Majors In California
What is the best university for majoring in Criminology in California?
Holy Names University is the best university for majoring in Criminology based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Holy Names University earned an average of $40,485 2 years after graduating.
What is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminology in California?
California State University-Fresno is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminology based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,311 to attend California State University-Fresno.
What is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminology in California?
University of La Verne is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminology based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $38,560 to attend University of La Verne.
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University Of Leicester Department Of Criminology
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 97%
Employability Index: 95%
The University of Leicester is one of the top criminology schools in the United Kingdom and among the best schools with criminology majors.
Basically, this criminology school right from its inception provides students with global education in criminal justice and criminology.
Being an exceptional academic haven, they never fail to provide a standard basis for learning, teaching, and research.
The school offers the following criminology programs
- Criminology in Msc
- Crime, Justice and Psychology MSc,
- Terrorism, Security and Policing MSc
- Criminology in Practice MSc
- Criminology PhD and MPhil.
It is important to note that, the school provides opportunities in the form of grants and scholarship programs both at MSc and undergraduate levels to help both national and international students.
Also, there are specific loans and awards available for EU students who wish to obtain a degree in criminology in the criminology department.
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Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut
Points: 8Net Price: $15,860
Central Connecticut State Universitys Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice prioritizes critical thinking, diversity, and the use of technology in the classroom. It offers a BA degree program and an MS degree program. Both graduate and undergraduate students may participate in all aspects of research, including the design and approval stages. Students can also complete internships at a wide variety of locations, including local law enforcement, federal law enforcement, state agencies, and victim services. These opportunities and others made available throughout this affordable criminology degree program make graduates appealing to employers and graduate programs alike.
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University Of Cincinnaticincinnati Oh
At UC’s School of Criminal Justice, you can major/minor in criminal justice or paralegal studies. The former is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to work as court administrators, parole officers, criminal investigators, risk managers, etc. It is also available entirely online, so if you can’t make it to campus, you’re in luck!
In addition to these two undergraduate majors, certificates are available in the more specialized areas of forensic populations, cybersecurity, and correctional rehabilitation.
UC also offers a master’s and a doctoral program in criminal justice. UC is currently ranked #11 by US News for best online graduate criminal justice programs.
UC Irvine’s Department of Criminology, Law, and Society offers prestigious undergraduate and graduate criminal justice programs that consistently top US News ranking lists .
The interdisciplinary department is the only criminology department among the UC schools, and it combines the study of criminology with law and society. The faculty here specializes in an array of subject areas, including psychology and law, race and justice, and gangs and crime.
Lastly, UCI offers a doctoral program in criminology, law, and society, as well as two online master’s programs: a Master of Advanced Study in Criminology, Law, and Society and a Master of Legal and Forensic Psychology.
Sam Houston State University
The school has tons of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the following:
University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 10Net Price: $13,683
The University of Illinois at Chicagos Criminology, Law, and Justice programs are designed to prepare students for a wide variety of roles in the justice system. While this broad approach allows for less specialization, UIC still offers its students many exciting opportunities as criminology degree majors. Students can pursue enrichment opportunities through the UIC Honors College, which offers special courses and facilities. Internships are also available, enabling students to gain practical experience in the specific setting they are interested in working in.
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Doctoral Programs In Criminology: Admissions
Doctoral degree programs tend to be highly selective, and those in criminology are no exception. Every school is different, but most colleges and universities require applicants to hold a bachelors degree in criminology at a minimum and have a stellar academic record at the undergraduate level. GRE scores will also be required. Additional criteria include personal statements, references, and writing samples.
University Of California Irvine
Irvine, California
Points: 11Net Price: $13,648
The University of CaliforniaIrvine is home to the only criminology department in the University of California system. The department integrates criminology with socio-legal studies to give students a unique perspective of the justice system. Experiential learning is a priority. All students have opportunities to participate in field study in settings such as private legal firms, juvenile shelters, and the Orange County Victim/Witness Assistance Program. The department also hosts several events, including speaker series and research symposiums for criminology degree students.
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Master Of Criminology Admissions Requirements
The admissions process for a master of criminology degree program may be more stringent than that of a bachelors degree option. Even so, if you meet eligibility requirements, youll be rewarded with an enriching program of study that can result in more job opportunities and a higher salary. Once you submit your graduate application, admissions officers will review your undergraduate transcript to ensure you have what it takes to succeed in a masters criminology program. Other considerations for admission may include:
- Undergraduate GPA
- Personal statement
- Interview
When applying to criminology masters degree programs, keep in mind that the more reputable the program, the more competitive the admissions process will be.
What Is A Bachelors In Criminology
Earning a bachelors degree in criminology opens the door to entry-level jobs in criminology and can be a great starting point for a successful career. A bachelors in criminology is a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate degree that involves social sciences like:
- sociology
- law
- political science
The subject of criminology emphasizes the theory, causes, effects, and application of crime rehabilitation and prevention,
Criminology undergraduate degrees may be offered as either Bachelor of Arts or Science, letting you decide. Additionally, some programs allow you to select an emphasis area like juvenile delinquency, criminal justice, cyber criminology, psychology, and more.
An average undergraduate program in criminology requires 120 credit hours that is broken down into general education requirements, criminology major courses, electives, a capstone course, and often, an internship. Although many bachelors are offered on-campus, you will find many high-value online criminology degrees to add flexibility and accessibility. You may also find that some schools offer a part-time criminology degree that you can finish at your own pace.
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What Can I Do With My Degree In Criminology
Upon successful completion of criminology degree the students can expect employment with CIA, FBI and local police or as a medical examiner. Candidates with rich experience and higher degree can also become professor at university. They can also work as social worker, security officer and profiler for large corporate houses. This career field is rapidly growing and to increase security and safety of the nation and eliminate crime there will be a great need of criminologists in the coming years.
Being a criminologist you get the opportunity to seat in the front row to solve crime. It is an interesting career path, but not nearly as glamorous and sensational as portrayed on television.
The course curriculum of criminology basically involves science, but you cant become a successful criminologist until you boast analytical thinking skills and ability to sense subjectively about the crimes around the world. You will be exposed to course work beyond the scope of simple criminology as a part of the curriculum and this will affect your skills to reason deductively and outdo your job beyond expectations.
A criminologist not only assists their employers in preventing and solving criminal issues, but also assists the public by making the cities and neighborhood safe place to live in.