Menu
Close menu
Apply Now

Criminology

Home
Criminology
Criminology BS
Criminology is a broad and interdisciplinary field of study that promotes an understanding of crime and the criminal justice system and how they relate to human behavior, social environments, and government policy. Examples of topics studied in criminology are: the causes and consequences of deviant and/or criminal behavior; the structure and functions of the criminal justice system; societal and individual reactions to crimes and criminal justice processing; the spatial and geographical elements associated with crime and poverty; and the dynamics of criminal justice policy making.
Degree Types: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
Learn more
Visit Bachelor of Arts Bulletin
Visit Bachelor of Science Bulletin

Degree Options

  • BS options: Business/Public Administration
  • Computing and Statistics
  • Legal Studies
  • Social Science Research
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Human Development and Family Studies
  • Political Science
  • World Languages

About the Program

You might like this program if…

  • You are interested in studying human behavior through an interdisciplinary lens.
  • You are fascinated with deviance and/or criminal behavior.
  • You would like to study the functioning of the criminal justice system.
  • You’re passionate about issues of social justice.
  • You would like to go to law school or graduate school.
  • You want to pursue a career in policing, corrections or government.

Coursework

  • Criminology
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Bias, Prejudice, and Hate Crime
  • Introduction to the Law
  • Solving Social Wicked Problems

Out-of-Classroom Experiences

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General
  • Aflac
  • California Innocence Project
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
  • Various District Attorneys’ Offices
  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Various Police Departments
  • Various Law Offices
Australia
_0031_Australia
Curaçao
_0024_Curacao
Italy
Students in CAMS/HIST 199 Roman Cities at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy in June 2022
Netherlands
_0007_Netherlands
Spain
_0001_Spain
Explore education abroad opportunities

Post-Graduation Opportunities

  • Law school
  • Medical school
  • Graduate school to study criminiology, psychology, sociology, forensic psychology, public administration, public policy, biology, forensic mental health counseling, social work, paralegal, health administration, and terrorism studies
Consulting, Education, Government, Insurance/Risk Analsysis, Intelligence/Investigation, Law Enforcement, Management, Security, Service (Americorps)

Have questions about this program?

Future students, contact Chantel Harley.

Current students, contact your academic adviser. 

This program is housed in the Department of Sociology and Criminology
 at Penn State University Park.
Future Students

Overview

Beyond the Classroom

Funding

Liberal Arts Experiences

Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging

CURRENT Students

Overview

Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging

Graduate Students

Overview

Funding

Awards

Research

Career Diversity

Get Funding

Overview

Rock Ethics researcher Yael Warshel's book receives second major accolade

Rock Ethics Institute research associate Yael Warshel is poised to receive a book award at the International Communication Association’s annual meeting for her pioneering work in the book “Experiencing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Children, Peace Communication, and Socialization.” Her book, a critical examination of peace communication interventions and their effects on children in conflict zones, has received international acclaim, with this being the book’s second major accolade.

University Libraries Open Publishing launches 'The Future of Foster Care'

Penn State University Libraries’ Open Publishing program recently launched a new Open Access monograph. “The Future of Foster Care: New Science on Old Problems,” edited by Yo Jackson and Sarah Font, is a collection of expanded conference proceedings from the 2019 conference of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network, a national leader in research designed to influence public policy that better protects vulnerable children from abuse.

New book celebrates the life and work of 19th-century enslaved potter and poet

P. Gabrielle Foreman, Paterno Family Professor of American Literature and professor of African American studies and history at Penn State and a 2023 MacArthur Fellow, embarked on a decade-long creative endeavor that culminated in her recently released edited volume, “Praise Songs for Dave the Potter: Art and Poetry for David Drake.”

WPSU explores the present-day lessons hidden in the shared tales of 'Past PA'

WPSU uncovers the stories that unveil the triumph, grit, caution and legend that make up the history of the commonwealth in a new digital series titled “Past PA.”

Janet van Hell named Penn State distinguished professor

Janet van Hell, a longtime Penn State faculty member in the College of the Liberal Arts’ Department of Psychology and director of the Center for Language Science, was recently promoted to distinguished professor of psychology and linguistics.

‘Third space’ offers clearer insights into ancient and modern Chinese issues

Liberal Arts Professor of English and Asian Studies Xiaoye You’s new book on rhetoric in early imperial China offers insights into how ancient rulers built and maintained an empire, and what that may reveal about contemporary issues.

Center for Language Science hosts Language and Linguistics Day

Nearly 100 Centre County high school students visited Penn State’s University Park campus on April 12 to participate in the fourth annual Language and Linguistics Day hosted by Penn State’s Center for Language Science.

Annual substance use conference examines stigma, opioid crisis

The Penn State Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction recently hosted its fourth annual conference in the HUB-Robeson Center at the University Park campus. 

Penn State research team receives NIH grant to study HIV treatment messaging

An interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers have received a $442,750 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, to support a multi-faceted, three-part study that observes how gay and bisexual men search and find HIV prevention information — specifically information about pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a medicine that when taken as prescribed, is very effective at preventing HIV.

Three-part project probes, celebrates art, culture and history of Andean peoples

Two Penn State professors — one in history and the other in art history and anthropology — have collaborated on a three-pronged project that will spark conversation and awe about the art, culture, science and history of Andean peoples.

View All Events

Trending Pages