Criminology Major
September 23, 2014 2026-01-08 16:32Criminology Major
Unraveling the Science of Crime
Criminology Major
Immerse yourself in an exploration of criminal behavior and justice to prepare for a dynamic career in criminology.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
Explore the multifaceted world of criminology through hands-on demonstrations and interactive classes at the University of Lynchburg. Our program offers students practical experiences, such as learning how attack dogs are used in law enforcement, understanding radar detection, setting up polygraph tests, and dusting for fingerprints at mock crime scenes. Additionally, engaging talks from professionals like Virginia state troopers complement the academic learning by providing real-world insights in front of a police helicopter.
The criminology major delves deep into the study of crime and criminal behavior, drawing from a broad range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, political science, and international relations. This comprehensive approach helps you understand the complexities of criminality, from gang dynamics to terrorism, and from victim rights to criminal justice reform. Graduating from this top-ranked program prepares you for a diverse range of careers in law enforcement, the court system, victim advocacy, or private investigation.
Curriculum and Resources
Program requirements for the following can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
- Criminology Major/Degree
What Jobs Can I Get With a Criminology Degree?
Criminology is a broad subject that deals with crime in all its forms. The most common criminological careers are in law enforcement, but there are many more jobs available to those who study this field.
Criminology Careers and Salaries
Criminology is a broad field that includes the study of law enforcement, crime prevention, and prosecution. Some criminology careers include work in criminal justice, private security, or intelligence gathering, as well as advocacy for victims and society. There are so many different types of jobs in the field because there are so many skills needed to be successful.
Clinical social worker: $62,328
Forensic psychologist: $86,191
Forensic scientist: $66,800
Jury consultant: $44,000
Lawyer: $67,493
Police detective: $51,264
Victim’s advocate: $49,470
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
Criminology Career Advising and Hands-On Experiences
As part of your advising within the criminology program, you will engage in in-depth discussions about your career aspirations and objectives. This personalized advising session is crucial in mapping out your professional path, especially in fields as competitive and nuanced as criminology and law enforcement.
Together with your advisor, you'll begin by outlining your ultimate career goals, such as working for prestigious organizations like the FBI. Recognizing that such positions require specific qualifications and extensive experience, your advisor will help you understand the various stages and milestones you might need to achieve along the way.
The career strategy crafted during these sessions will include both short-term and long-term objectives. This may involve selecting appropriate undergraduate courses that align with federal employment standards, recommending relevant extracurricular activities such as internships with local law enforcement agencies or research projects that focus on areas of interest to federal agencies, such as cybersecurity or forensic psychology.
Moreover, your advisor will guide you on pursuing graduate education and additional training that can make you a more competitive candidate for federal roles. This might include guidance on preparing for and excelling in rigorous application and testing processes that agencies like the FBI require.
Throughout your academic journey, your advisor will be a resource for networking opportunities, professional development seminars, and guidance on strategic moves within the field of criminology that align with your career ambitions. By creating a tailored career strategy, you and your advisor ensure that you are well-positioned to navigate the competitive landscape of criminology careers and achieve your professional goals.
Daniel Murphy, MJA
James Taylor, MSCJ
