The study of criminology and criminal justice is becoming increasingly vital in the US, where the criminal justice system is both expansive and complex. In 2020, the US murder rate saw its largest single-year increase on record, and by 2022, it remained considerably higher than before the coronavirus pandemic. These alarming trends highlight the urgent need for skilled professionals who can analyse, understand, and address the root causes of crime.
Universities across the nation are rising to meet this need, offering robust programmes that blend theory with practical application. From urban crime labs to rural policing initiatives, they are evolving today’s students into tomorrow’s crime solvers, policymakers, and advocates for justice.
If you’re keen on shaping the future of criminal justice in the US, here are three universities renowned for making a tangible impact in their communities.
Students can apply knowledge in the Centre for Criminal Justice Research and the Centre for the Study of Hate & Extremism. Source: CSUSB/Facebook
California State University, San Bernardino
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at California State University, San Bernardino offers a broad range of courses that provide students with a solid foundation in the laws, procedures, institutions, and policies at play before, during, and after the commission of a crime. The lineup covers law enforcement, corrections, courts, and various aspects of crime including gangs, drugs, white-collar crime, crime analysis, homeland security, and criminological theory.
Students interested in becoming well-qualified criminal justice professionals can choose to enrol in one of two bachelor’s degree programmes: the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice or the Bachelor of Science in Intelligence and Crime Analysis. The former deep dives into the criminal justice system and its operation as well as the impact of laws and law enforcement on society, while the latter offers extensive training in research and analytics used in the field. Both programmes are delivered by faculty members actively engaged in evidence-based research, collaboration with local agencies, and advocacy for policy reforms.
Professionals looking to advance their careers can pursue the online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice instead. Ranked among the top 50 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programmes by US News & World Report, it nurtures an in-depth awareness of the criminal justice system and its components. It also enables learners to gain the foundational skills required to conduct and direct criminal justice research.
Students eager to complete their programmes earlier can opt for a +1 BA/MA Accelerated Degree. Source: Temple University College of Liberal Arts/Facebook
Temple University
Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts has a Criminal Justice major dedicated to deepening one’s understanding of crime, governance and social justice. Here, students engage in a multidisciplinary approach to studying crime, guided by a faculty consisting of experts in criminal law, federal policing, homeland security and corrections.
The Criminal Justice major includes unique courses such as the Certificate in Cybersecurity and Human Behaviour, the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Programme where students can attend classes in a prison, and a Criminal Justice Internship Programme.
For postgraduate students, the school offers a Criminal Justice MA and a Criminal Justice PhD. These programmes are suitable for those who already work in criminal justice and want to sharpen their skills. Several PhD students have gone on to conduct research, teach, and work closely with various faculty members and students throughout the department.
Students eager to complete their programmes earlier can opt for an Accelerated Degree, where they can complete their undergraduate programme and earn a master’s degree in just five years.
BA in Criminal Justice graduate Mary Byerley is currently working on her law degree at the University of Florida. “Criminal Justice at Temple University prepared me by providing a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, including its theories, policies, and practical applications,” says Byerley. “The programme equipped me with critical thinking skills, research abilities, and a deeper appreciation for issues related to justice and equity.”
Students here can choose from electives in Family Violence, Sociology of Deviance, Alcohol, Drugs, and Society, Juvenile Delinquency, Human Skeletal Biology and Forensic Techniques, amongst several others. Source: Texas Tech University/Facebook
Texas Tech University
Sociology and criminology are two sides of the same coin – both areas share the same topics, such as relationships, inequality, behavioural sciences, social theory, psychology, etc. Texas Tech University is aware of the similarities the two concentrations share, and offers a criminology concentration for their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Likewise, sociology basics are offered in their Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. The course is also available online for those busy with other commitments.
Both programmes offer elective courses for students interested in expanding their knowledge outside the basics of criminology. Students can take courses in Family Violence, Sociology of Deviance, Alcohol, Drugs, and Society, Individual Studies: Homicide or Women & Crime, Juvenile Delinquency, Introduction to Forensic Anthropology, and Human Skeletal Biology and Forensic Techniques.
A major in criminology at Texas Tech University is beneficial for students planning careers in a variety of areas. Due to the wide scope of the programme, graduates aren’t tied down to being directly involved in the criminal justice system – they can explore positions in business, law enforcement, government departments, medicine, social services and more.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
