Address public policy issues such as crime reduction, offender re-entry, and behavioral health.
The online B.A. Criminology program prepares you for a wide range of careers in criminal justice within the private sector, as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies. The Chicago School prepares you to work with offenders, victims, and public and nonprofit entities to address public safety and the underlying causes of crime. This psychology-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to understanding crime and criminal behavior familiarizes you with the primary ways professionals explain, predict, and prevent crime and victimization.
As an online criminology student, you may focus your studies by following one of these academic tracks:
- Criminology Generalist Track
- Forensic Psychology Specialization
- Legal Studies Specialization
- Public Health Specialization
Visit the academic catalog to learn more about the focused tracks you can pursue while earning your B.A. Criminology online.
Graduate-level coursework taken as part of the B.A. Criminology may also count toward our M.A. Forensic Psychology program, reducing costs should you wish to continue your education at The Chicago School.
Christopher Zaleski, J.D.
Admissions Requirements
- Completed application and $50 application fee
- Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral—high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of an earned associate degree.
- A GPA of 2.3 or above is required for admission.
- For those who have a GPA lower than 2.3, applicants may submit the following materials for additional consideration:
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A college essay
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
Capstone
The capstone course for undergraduate criminology students will focus on incorporating problems and issues in the field of Criminology with research on how to solve those concerns. Through a review of current criminological literature and creation of a research question on a topic of interest, students will integrate and apply learning from their undergraduate courses into a comprehensive presentation to an intended audience of co-workers and leaders of a criminal justice agency to persuade the adoption of a technology-based solution. The capstone project is intended to have students demonstrate skills in research, critical thinking, and communication.
Sample Courses
Criminological Theories
This course encompasses the advanced study and critical evaluation of theories related to the cause of crime. These include theories rooted in biology, psychology, economics, and sociological perspectives.
Criminal and Juvenile Law
This course will examine and study the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system from a legal perspective. There will be emphasis on the historical development of the current laws, critical evaluation of the conflict between social and legal definition of crime/delinquency, and exploration of certain elements of crimes and their sanctions.
Restorative Justice and Practices
This course introduces the philosophy and practices of restorative justice. Restorative justice is a global social movement with applications ranging from K-12, higher education, business, communities, and criminal justice. Restorative approaches draw upon a variety of justice traditions that, in many ways, challenges the Western legal tradition of adversarial adjudication and punishment and introduces a viable form of alternative dispute resolution.
Criminal Investigations
This course is intended to introduce the student to the investigative process and how this process works in the real world as opposed to the way it is portrayed in the media. It will examine investigative theory, the collection and preservation of crime scene evidence, sources of information, concepts of interviewing and interrogation, the use of forensic sciences and trial preparation.
Criminal Profiling
Examines theories of crime causation with respect to crimes committed by the most violent offenders in society, an analysis of the research done, and the process of inferring distinctive personality characteristics of offenders. Examines multiple offender types, including serial killers, property crime offenders, sex offenders, and school shooters.
Online Student Experience
Through the convenience of The Chicago School’s online programs, your life remains intact. Our online Global Student Dashboard is where you will find all of the components to successfully complete your program. There, you’ll find your coursework and assignments, interact with fellow students, and ask questions from your instructor.
Mental Health Academy
The College of Undergraduate Studies has partnered with Red Rocks Community College and Mile High Behavioral Healthcare to offer students an accelerated pathway to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. Check out this guide for more information on the Mental Health Academy at Red Rocks Community College.Â
Career Pathways
The criminology degree online program will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed for the following jobs:
- Police or sheriff’s officer
- Detective
- Probation or parole officer
- Corporate security specialist
- Corrections officer
- Victim advocate
- Crime scene investigator (CSI)
- Crime analyst
- Federal law enforcement officer (i.e., DEA, FBI, ATF, DHS)
- CIA agent
- Reentry case manager
- Pretrial or diversion case manager
- Legal administrative specialist
- Substance abuse counselor
- Community corrections case manager
Career Outcomes
The Chicago School prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The Chicago School is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions representative.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
