Criminology
Have an Impact in Your Community
Make a difference in people’s lives and in society.
Criminology is the study of crime, including topics such as victimology, crime and inequality, juvenile delinquency, corrections and punishments, ethics, and philosophy. A degree in criminology or criminal justice allows you to be an active participant in your community and make a positive impact on those around you.
The criminology program offers a critical analysis of 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.
Davis & Elkins College has partnered with several universities to offer undergraduate criminology students a clearer path to obtaining a master’s degree. According to these agreements, D&E students can transfer some credits from their bachelor’s degree in criminology to several universities’ master’s degree programs in criminal justice. Faculty and administration from both institutions will work together to provide guidelines for students interested in participating in these programs.
Baccalaureate Programs (B.A.)
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
The bachelor’s degree in criminology requires 45 credit hours, including core criminology, psychology, and political science courses, and 21 credit hours of specified criminology electives. An additional requirement is an academic minor selected outside the discipline of criminology.
The requirements for a major in criminology with a concentration in cybersecurity consist of 48 credit hours of specified or elective criminology and psychology courses and 21 credit hours of cybersecurity courses. The cybersecurity courses are offered through Rize/LCMC. An additional requirement is an academic minor selected outside the discipline of criminology.
Associates Programs (A.A.)
Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice
The associate’s degree in criminal justice requires 27 credit hours of specified and elective criminology, political science, sociology, and psychology courses. This program focuses on practical applications for those interested in obtaining a job in the field the right way.
Minors
Criminology Minor
The requirements for a minor in criminology consist of 18 credit hours of specified and elective criminology courses.
Cybersecurity Minor
The requirements for a minor in cybersecurity consist of 18 credit hours of specified criminology courses.
Pre-Law Minor
The requirements for a minor in pre-law consist of 18 semester hours of specified criminology and political science courses and elective courses chosen from communication, math, philosophy, business, criminology, environmental science, outdoor recreation management, English, and history.
Certificates
The requirements for a certificate in crime analyst consist of 23 credit hours of specified courses in criminology and environmental science. This program prepares students to apply the science of geographic information and the technologies of geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, and remote sensing to crime research.
Courses
What We Offer
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to Cybersecurity
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections and Punishment
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- Courts and the Criminal Justice System
- Career Navigation and Exploration in Cybersecurity
- Network and System Security
- Cybercrime and Governance
- Modern Cybersecurity
- Criminal Investigations
- Criminal Justice Internship
- Crime and the Media
- Victimology
- Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
- Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Social Science Advanced GIS
- White Collar Crime
- Security Operations
- Ethical Hacking
- Topics in Criminology
- Independent Study
- Advanced Theoretical Criminology
- Crime and Social Inequality
- Comparative Justice
- Women and Crime
- Ethics and Philosophy in Criminal Justice
- The Future of Cybersecurity
- Pre-Law Seminar
- Criminology Internship
- Cybersecurity Capstone
- Senior Thesis
Careers in Criminology
A degree in criminology from Davis & Elkins College opens the door to a wide range of impactful and rewarding careers across the public and private sectors. Common career paths for criminology graduates include:
- Police Officer / Detective
- Probation Officer / Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Federal Law Enforcement Agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals)
- Cybercrime Analyst / Investigator
- Victim Advocate
- Juvenile Justice Specialist
- Policy Analyst
- Forensic Science Technician
What Our Alumni Say
“The D&E criminology program prepared me to take on a position in the criminal justice system by helping me gain practical knowledge of how the system works. It prepared me to give detailed explanations for criminal behavior through the application of criminological theories, all of which are present and applicable in the work I do every day. My professors at D&E gave me both the framework and opportunity to succeed in my current position as a criminal intelligence analyst.”
– Justin Wisniewski, Class of 2022
Why Criminology at D&E
The criminology program at D&E will provide opportunities for experiential learning, including a mock trial simulation, a prison visit, and lectures by guest speakers in the field. You’ll learn practical skills, including how to write a police report, testify in court, secure a crime scene, collect evidence, complete a risk assessment, write an affidavit, and serve a search warrant. Internship opportunities allow you to learn what the job is about, network with people working in the field, and develop job leads.