Criminology

This isn’t CSI … a degree in Criminology is so much more.

If you’re looking for a career that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives and in society, criminology is a great choice. A degree in criminology or criminal justice allows you be an active participant in your community, and the world, and make a positive impact on those around you.

Criminology is the study of crime, including various topics such as victimology, crime and inequality, juvenile delinquency, corrections and punishments, plus ethics and philosophy. At Davis & Elkins College, you can pursue an associate’s degree in criminal justice, focusing on practical applications for those interested in obtaining a job in the field right way, or a bachelor’s degree in criminology, which expands on theoretical concepts to be implemented with practical application for hands-on learning.

The Criminology program offers a critical analysis of the criminological theories. By establishing a strong foundation in theoretical criminology, a graduate of the program will be able to apply their knowledge to everyday practical applications in the fields of law enforcement, juvenile justice, law, institutional corrections, community corrections, and research and policy development. Graduates may also utilize this information at the graduate and law school levels!

Program at a Glance

Degrees: B.A. in Criminology
Optional Concentration: Cybersecurity (New for Fall 2022)
List of Courses (full list available in Course Catalog)

Criminology Majors Can Get Training in…

Corrections and Punishment
White Collar Crime
Criminological Research Methods
Women & Crime
Law Enforcement
Juvenile Justice
Criminal Investigations

Cybersecurity Concentration Courses include…

Cybercrime and Governance
Network and System Security
Cyber Forensics

A cybersecurity concentration as a component of a criminology degree is a unique offering that prepares students for positions investigating cybercrime.

Cybersecurity Concentration is being offered through Rize/LCMC Courses

In 2017, 19 independent colleges and universities united to create the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges (LCMC) Consortium. Rize is helping LCMC schools develop new shared majors, using curricula developed in collaboration with top academic experts. These courses offer expert instruction, are skills-focused, and career-ready. Rize/LCMC enhances the on-campus experience by offering shared courses online that complement the courses taken in-person at D&E.

Students sign up for Rize/LCMC courses as they would other D&E courses. The courses are offered online and may have different starting and/or ending dates from the regular D&E academic calendar. Class sizes are intentionally small, so early registration is important to reserve space in the classes. Tuition is incorporated into the regular course load.

Criminology Degree Opportunities

As a student studying criminology at D&E, you will have many opportunities for experiential learning. Throughout your courses, you are taught how to write a police report, testify in court, secure a crime scene, collect evidence, write an affidavit and serve a search warrant. In addition to practical experience in the classroom, all students are required to participate in an internship. The internship opportunity allows you to learn what the job is about, network with people working in the field and develop job leads.

Whether you earn an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a bachelor’s degree in criminology from D&E, you’ll be prepared for success in a variety of positions. There are always career openings in this versatile field – law enforcement, social service organizations, federal government and much more. If you pursue a bachelor’s degree, you’ll also be prepared for graduate studies.

Learn about our Pre-Law minor here.

Davis & Elkins College and California University of Pennsylvania (CAL U) have partnered to offer undergraduate criminology students a clearer path to obtaining a master’s degree. As part of a pilot project this fall, one D&E senior is already earning credit hours that will apply to the graduate school program.

According to the agreement, D&E students can transfer six credits from their criminology bachelor’s degree program to CAL U’s master’s degree programs in criminal justice studies: applied criminology or forensic linguistics. To be eligible, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Faculty and administration from both institutions will work together to provide guidelines for students interested in participating in the program.

Leading the Way.

Program Requirements

Fact Sheet

Facilities

As a key program within the Division of Social Sciences, the program has two dedicated multi-purpose rooms.

A small seminar room is equipped with a computer and comfortable office chairs. When not being used for a class it is open to students for study or as a lounge area. It has a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. A larger room is used as a classroom/counseling laboratory. It is equipped with comfortable furniture, a one-way mirror, video camera and monitors. When not in use for these purposes it is open to students as a lounge/study area. Faculty offices are adjacent to these rooms, and the Gatehouse is used as the crime laboratory. This environment encourages students to interact with each other and with faculty in an informal manner, academically and socially.