What Is a Criminal Justice Degree in the US?

If you are an international student who dreams of making the world more just or safe, the United States has some of the best criminology and criminal justice programs available. But what’s the difference between the two areas of study, and which has better career options for you? Let’s take a closer look to better understand how they compare —  and learn which option aligns best with your future goals.

How Are Criminology and Criminal Justice Programs Similar at US Universities? 

These types of degree programs overlap and influence each other at many universities, and afterward on the job market. Many universities and colleges across the United States combine the two into a single degree option, especially at the undergraduate level.

Perhaps the best question before choosing either degree program is whether you prefer thinking or doing. Of course, there is a fair share of both in each option, but criminology focuses more on the study of crime and may lead to a research-focused career (e.g., academics, professors, etc.). In contrast, criminal justice majors become hands-on practitioners (e.g., law enforcement officers, social workers, etc.).

Why Study Abroad in the United States? 

Students choosing these types of majors in the United States have a variety of opportunities to apply their degrees in research-based and real-world careers. As mentioned above, many become police or federal law officers, and others become forensic psychologists, victim advocates, data scientists, lawyers, and even college professors. There are several ways to use a degree in either study area, with job options beginning in academia and ending on the streets fighting crime face-to-face. 

Beyond career options and work environments, these degree programs may appeal to students for altruistic reasons, such as a sense of civic duty or a desire to make the world safer. Many qualified graduates work in youth services, nonprofit programs, and community organizations, while others work as detectives, anti-terrorism officers, and forensics specialists. 

Criminology and Criminal Justice Curriculum at US Universities

Consider these majors if you are interested in problem solving, critical thinking, scientific methodology, and social science areas such as legislative policy, social theory, and civil justice. Students in US programs take classes that reflect these aptitudes and help strengthen them, while also taking niche courses covering technology, public affairs, law, and other specialized areas, especially at the graduate level. 

Many programs weave emerging crime-fighting technologies into the curriculum, such as the Bachelor of Science in Data Sciences for Justice, Law, and Criminology at American University (AU). Other programs include unique internship and work-study opportunities, such as the Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) at Florida International University (FIU). LEAP combines classroom instruction with specialized police training and workplace experience to produce successful law enforcement professionals and future leaders in the field.

American University

American University’s undergraduate program is ranked #17 by Niche, and the graduate criminology program is ranked #21 by U.S. News & World Report. AU offers two degrees that touch on both focus areas: a BS in Data Science and a BA in Justice and Law. Students may also pursue a combined Data Sciences for Justice, Law and Criminology (BS) and Justice, Law and Criminology (MS). Here are some examples of courses in each undergraduate focus: 

The following classes are among those required for the BA in Justice and Law: 

• Critical Issues in Justice

• Introduction to Systems of Justice

• Introduction to Criminology

• Introduction to Justice Research

• Justice and Public Policy

The BS in Data Science requires the same courses listed above, in addition to computer science-related ones including: 

• Introduction to Computer Science

• Introduction to Data Mining

• Statistical Programming in R

• Data Science

Florida International University

Florida International University’s undergraduate program is ranked #38 by Niche, and the graduate program is ranked #32 by U.S. News & World Report for criminology. FIU offers two undergraduate programs, a BS in Crime Science and a BS in Criminal Justice. The crime science track combines forensics, analytics, and computer science with the research and application of traditional courses in this disciplie. 

Here are several courses available at FIU:

• Criminological Theory

• Research Methods and Analysis

• Senior Capstone project

And here are some of the additional courses for the crime science BS: 

• GIS and Crime Mapping

• Security and Crime Science

• Survey of Forensic Science

• Terrorism and Homeland Security

• Cyber Crime

• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina’s undergraduate program is ranked #35 by Niche, and the graduate criminology program is ranked #23 by U.S. News & World Report. USC offers a Criminology and Criminal Justice major, minor, and accelerated course of study at the undergraduate level.   

Here are some examples of courses in the BA program at USC:

• Criminal Procedure

• Policing

• Corrections

• Sociology of Crime

• Juvenile Delinquency

Career Possibilities 

Let’s now take a closer look at some of the most popular professional fields, including starting salaries in the US, India, Brazil, and China.

Source: Salary Expert, 2022

With a criminology degree, you may research socioeconomic factors that contribute to crime or decide you’d rather apprehend criminals in person. With a criminal justice degree, you are more likely to focus on one or more aspects of the criminal justice system, which includes law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Criminology may have more research opportunities and be academically oriented, whereas criminal justice is more focused and career-oriented. Don’t worry if you cannot decide — there are many combination programs at the undergraduate level in the United States. 

Shorelight advisors can help you find the right degree program for your goals >