Cleveland State University

Criminology is the study of crime and all its components. Of particular interest to criminologists are why people commit crime, why certain acts are defined as criminal and others are not, and why punishments may differ across time/location and persons. In addition, criminology majors learn about the criminal justice system such as police, courts, and corrections and how these systems work in our society. 

WHAT CAREERS CAN THIS MAJOR PREPARE YOU FOR?

Majors in Criminology can find jobs in a range of different employment sectors. Many students go on to work directly with criminal offenders. These careers include working in probation, parole, correctional institutions, and halfway houses. Moreover, many majors seek careers in law enforcement at the local, state, or federal level, other federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security. Criminology is an excellent background for a career as an attorney. Criminology majors also prepared for employment in victim services working for public and private sector agencies. They conduct research for criminal justice agencies, collecting and analyzing data and writing reports. Careers include: Probation Officer, Parole Officer, Correctional Officer, Police Officer, Victim Advocate, State Highway Patrol Officer, Attorney, TSA Agent, FBI Agent, Crime Data and Intelligence Analyst, Victim Specialists, Background Investigator, Hotline Operator, Case Manager, Youth Advocate, Fraud Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol, Deputy Sheriff.

WHAT SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THIS MAJOR?

Criminology majors gain important skills including knowledge of why people commit crime, how to work with offenders and victims, how to apply criminological theories to specific problems, and how to identify and evaluate effective policies for reducing and preventing crime. They also develop communication skills, critical thinking, analytical skills, use of statistical applications, writing concisely, and evaluating information. Students learn the skills to conduct research and analyze data.