BA/BS in Criminology

The Criminology major studies why crime occurs and how fair and effective society's responses are. It takes a cross-disciplinary view of offenders, victims, laws, policies and the agencies of the justice system. Problem-based learning builds critical thinking, and a built-in psychology concentration supplies knowledge useful in direct-service professions. Courses stress prevention and remediation, with topics such as mental illness and offending, and how race and class affect justice. Graduates work in law enforcement, corrections, probation and rehabilitation, or continue to graduate study and law school. Students can earn the degree on the Oakland campus or online, follow a three-year plan, or use an accelerated route into a master's program. Careers also include prevention work, rehabilitation services and further academic study.