Criminology Schools

Criminology Schools

Criminology is a multidisciplinary field of study, involving sociology, statistics, psychology and human behavior, used to learn about the causes and nature of crime. Criminologists use their research and real-life case studies to advise the criminal justice system in areas crime detection, prevention and consequence. Multiple degrees are available from top online colleges in the area of criminology. Students pursuing an online degree in criminology have a passion for understanding crime and the criminal mind.

Advantages to Attending a Criminology School

Quality online degrees are available in the field of criminology. Some advantages to pursuing a criminology degree online include:

• Flexibility: Students may complete coursework during off-hours, providing them the opportunity to work.
• Expense: Many online universities offer criminology degrees at a fraction of the cost of traditional colleges.
• Proximity: Students who cannot travel long distances to a university save money by pursuing a criminology degree online.
• Transfer Credits: Criminology students working through an online program may be able to transfer credits for course or work experience, lessening time in the degree program. Individual schools vary in their ability to apply transfer credits.
• Accelerated Courses: Many online Criminology degree programs offer accelerated programs, in which students can take on a heavier workload and shorten the time to degree completion.

What Types of Degrees are Available at Criminology School?

Online universities offer many different degrees in criminology. These include:

• Associates of Arts, Criminology
  An Associates of Arts in Criminology is a two-year program, undertaken at an online community college or technical school.
• Bachelors of Arts, Criminology
  The B.A. in Criminology is a four-year degree earned at an online college or university.
• Masters of Arts, Criminology
  The M.A. in Criminology is a two-three year postgraduate degree earned through an online university.
• PhD, Criminology
  An online PhD takes four to five years, and is awarded by a through an online university.

Online universities should be accredited by state or federal standards. This ensures that instructors and course materials meet the academic standards mandated by authorities.

Criminology Schools: Coursework

Students pursuing an online Criminology degree should have excellent writing, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Comfort with technology, including email, webinars, and message boards are essential for online Criminology students. Masters and PhD degrees require an additional internship, which are usually completed through a police department, public policy department, mental health institution or research facility. The internship may require hours that would interfere with normal work hours, but students can pursue internships that hold off-work or weekend hours as well. Some common courses include:

• Policing Civil Societies
  Students will explore the point at which citizens and the police interact, the misunderstandings that may develop, relationships that are formed, problems that are solved, and future plans that are designed.
• Courts and the Judicial Process
  This course examines the nature of law and how it evolves via the operation of the court systems of the United States.
• Principles of Forensic Science
  An overview of the process of criminal investigations and the scientific and technical methods used to analyze evidence.
• Ethics in Criminology
  The purpose of this course is to integrate personal morals and ethics with practical criminal justice considerations.