Criminology major
Criminology: courses, careers, and where to study
Criminology applies social science to understand why crime happens, how offenders behave, and how laws, courts, and corrections respond, suiting students drawn to research and policy.
Criminology students examine crime as a social problem: what drives offending, how victims are affected, and how the institutions built to respond, from policing and courts to prisons and parole, actually function. Coursework blends sociology, psychology, and law, with students reading criminological theory, analyzing patterns in offense data, debating how societies define and punish wrongdoing, and studying specific issues like recidivism, rehabilitation, juvenile offending, and policy reform. Unlike criminal justice, which trains people for the operational roles of officer, court clerk, or correctional staff, criminology centers on the why behind crime, leaning on research design and statistical analysis to test ideas and inform decisions rather than on day-to-day enforcement procedure.
Many entry roles are open to graduates of a bachelor's program, while research, analysis, and faculty positions in this field often expect a master's degree, and some applied research careers favor doctoral training; aspiring students should verify the requirements for their intended role. Programs typically culminate in a capstone project, a research methods sequence, or a supervised internship with an agency or nonprofit rather than a clinical placement or studio. There is no single license tied to the major itself, though work in certain government or analytic settings can require background clearance, which should be confirmed locally. Graduates work in law enforcement and intelligence analysis units, courts and corrections agencies, victim-services and advocacy organizations, research institutes, think tanks, and public-policy offices.
In federal data for the closely related occupation of sociologists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $101,690 and projects employment to grow about 3.6% from 2024 to 2034; a master's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Criminology maps to CIP 45.0401, Criminology, within the SOCIAL SCIENCES family. The official definition:
A program that focuses on the systematic study of crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behavior of criminals, and the social institutions evolved to respond to crime. Includes instruction in the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behavior, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, penology, rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, social attitudes and policy, and applications to specific issues in law enforcement administration and policy.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What you'll study
- Criminological theory and explanations of offending
- Research methods and study design for social science
- Quantitative analysis of crime and justice data
- Penology, corrections, and the study of recidivism
- Criminal law and the structure of the justice system
- Victimology and the impact of crime on victims
- Policing, courts, and corrections as social institutions
- Juvenile delinquency and life-course patterns of crime
- Crime policy analysis and program evaluation
Typical careers
- Criminologist
- Crime Analyst
- Research Analyst
- Corrections Specialist
- Victim Advocate
- Policy Researcher
Typical salary range: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 sociologists median $101,690).Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Criminology. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.
- Managers, All Other
- Psychologists, All Other
- Sociologists
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.
Before you commit to a Criminology major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Criminology program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Criminology department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Criminology program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Criminology programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Related majors
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice studies the institutions and practices of policing, courts, and corrections, preparing graduates for law enforcement, probation, corrections, and law school.
Sociology
Sociology studies social institutions, group behavior, inequality, and culture, preparing graduates for research, policy, social services, and graduate school in law or social work.
Psychology
Psychology majors study human cognition, behavior, and emotion, preparing graduates for clinical, research, business, and human-services careers (and graduate school in clinical, counseling, and I/O psych).
Forensic Science
Forensic Science applies biology, chemistry, and laboratory methods to physical evidence, suiting students who want to support criminal and legal investigations through scientific analysis.
Social Work
Social Work prepares graduates for licensed direct practice with individuals, families, and communities, combining behavioral sciences with field placements and an explicit ethical framework.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.