Build a Career on the Principles of Law and Order
Professors Share Truth About the Field So You Start Prepared
"I think the strength of my department lies in the faculty's commitment to the students and truth about the field. They do not sugar coat anything for you, and I feel that has helped me develop a realistic expectation of what is to come in my career. The Criminology Department faculty is great."
Joe Erdman, Class of 2016, Criminology Major, Minor in Sociology and Psychology
The American criminal justice system is charged with providing safety and justice for all citizens. People like you, who are inspired to take on this important work and build a career in this field, play a vital role in our society.
As a criminology major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, you'll take five required criminology courses and choose two courses from each of three areas:
- The Criminal Justice System
- Critical Issues in Criminology
- Diversity Issues in Criminology
Some of the classes offered are: Policing and the Community, Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Law, White-Collar Crime, Violence and Victimology, Women and Crime, and Environmental Crime. Criminology majors can also choose to take an internship.
More Electives: More Flexibility to Add a Minor or Double Major
Since this major offers a large number of free electives, criminology majors have the flexibility to take a minor, a concentration, or a double major. Consider adding a foreign language or psychology.
Add a Minor That Teaches You About Cybersecurity
One option is a minor in information assurance, which is offered in cooperation with the Department of Computer Science. Some of the courses available through the minor are:
- Cybersecurity and Loss Prevention
- Cybersecurity and the Law
- Network Security
Explore Varied Options and Agencies When Making Career Plans
Nearly every level of government offers opportunities for professional careers in criminology. Employment opportunities exist in more than 50 federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Agency; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; National Security Agency; U.S. Marshals Service; Internal Revenue Service; and military investigative branches.
Graduates will find employment in local and state law enforcement, probation, parole, and the custody and treatment of adult and youthful offenders. There are also a wide variety of opportunities in the expanding fields of private, commercial, and industrial security. In addition, many governmental agencies have specialized units dealing with juveniles, community relations, training, education, and research.
Students who wish to change their major to criminology or pre-law criminology must have an overall GPA of 2.0 to declare the major or minor and to be formally accepted by the department.