Why a Criminology Degree from Le Moyne?

Criminology is the scientific study of crime from social, behavioral, and other perspectives. As a criminology major, you will learn about the nature and extent of crime, the causes of criminal offending, the consequences of crime, and the response to crimes, criminals, and criminal events - all taught with an interdisciplinary approach that draws on several relevant professional disciplines at Le Moyne. In addition to technical, theoretical, and practical knowledge, a criminology degree will prepare you to approach crime and justice issues using skills that are consistent with the College's Jesuit, liberal arts foundation, which emphasizes critical thinking, life-long learning, ethics, and strong communication skills. Beyond the classroom, students will have numerous experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and faculty-mentored research that prepare them to transition into careers. In a field that is expected to have faster-than-average job growth for the foreseeable future, criminology majors have a wide range of career options, including law enforcement, the legal and court systems, social services, corrections, cybersecurity, and many others.

Program Highlights

The criminology program is interdisciplinary, drawing on relevant professional disciplines. We:

  • create life-long learners who understand how the knowledge gained in the classroom applies in the “real world”
  • help students to understand and conduct basic and applied research
  • build a theoretical understanding on the causes of crime so students may gain insight while considering implications on policy and practice
  • encourage students to become leaders by "doing" (taking action on and off campus to raise awareness about critical social issues, working in collaboration with community partners to provide various services, developing informed strategies and responses to address pressing crime problems, etc.)
  • provide experiential learning opportunities, including internships that prepare students to transition into careers
Our Stories
Photo Alyssah Brown

Alyssah Brown

/ 2017

I think about the world differently now.

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Photo Noa Watkins

Noa Watkins

/ 2018

She steps off the plane and into a bustling, unfamiliar airport.

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Photo Patrick Burke

Patrick Burke

/ 2021

Le Moyne’s tight-knit community & support system helped me on my journey.

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What Can I Do With a Criminology Degree?

Students who pursue a criminology degree commonly gain employment in areas such as policing, courts, corrections, and victim- as well as offender-oriented services. They may also work with research,data analysis, and policy. Our graduates are working in the field as:

  • Legal & Law enforcement
  • Parole/probation officers
  • Paralegals and attorneys
  • Behavioral specialists
  • Substance abuse counselors 
  • Youth service case managers
  • Victim advocates
  • Crime analysts


Students in the program also gain skills that prepare them for graduate programs in criminology, criminal justice, and other interdisciplinary programs, as well as law school. Such programs can open a variety of new career possibilities, including those of applied researchers, attorneys, and college professors.

Learn more: Exploring Criminal Justice Careers

Criminology Degree Options

Major
B.A. in Criminology
Minor in Criminology
Distinctive Courses: The Criminal Justice System; Family Violence; Deviance; Victimology; Economics of Crime and Punishment; Conflict Resolution; Gender and Crime