Drexel’s Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Justice Studies degree is concentrated on Criminal Justice — our program provides students with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience across tools of the discipline, while allowing them to specialize in different areas of interest. The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies offers a rich educational experience that emphasizes justice and criminological theory, in addition to translating concepts into practice.

Criminology and justice studies is an exciting, diverse field with many applications in modern society. What you can do with a criminology degree ranges from security to intelligence, big data to crime policy. Criminology degree jobs are typically fast-paced, and can help make society more equitable by investigating the root causes of crime.

At Drexel, criminology and justice studies majors pair sociological investigations of crime and justice with cutting-edge technology and data analysis. Our majors study topics such as government surveillance, data breeches, policing practices and judicial systems to prepare for a wide range of criminology jobs or advanced study.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel can be completed in four years, and reserves at least 27 free electives so students can earn a minor outside of the department.

International Justice Systems, Language Minors, and Education Abroad

Given the global nature of crime and justice issues, the department requires one course on international justice systems. Students interested in intelligence and security-related careers should consider minoring in a language. Drexel’s Department of Global Studies, Modern Languages offers a wide variety of language minors to explore.

We encourage all students to participate in at least one faculty-led education abroad program where students investigate justice-related topics such as: The Legacy of Nazi Policing and Cold War Justice in Munich and Prague; and The Roots of Common Law Justice in London. We encourage you to visit Drexel Education Abroad to review upcoming course locations and itineraries.

Minor Programs

Criminology and Justice Studies majors can enhance career-readiness through minor programs designed to offer deeper understanding and to develop more focused skills.

Crime Analysis and Digital Investigations Minor

Criminal Justice Minor

Justice Studies Minor

Experiential Learning

The College of Arts and Sciences offers hands-on, experiential community-based and community-engaged learning courses that allow students to immerse themselves in course material and learn side-by-side with our dedicatedx partners. To explore justice studies in America, we take our students straight to the source; we offer two of our core courses in community settings — one of which, Prison, Society and You, is taught in a local prison.

View Community-Based and Community-Engaged Learning Courses

Drexel Co-op

Through Drexel’s renowned cooperative education program, students embark on up to three, six-month periods of full-time employment, exploring their career options, strengthening their resumes and building a professional network in the process.

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies offers two options for students: a four-year one co-op option and a four-year, no co-op option. While both options exist, we encourage students earning their bachelor's degree in criminology to take advantage of the co-op program.

Criminology and Justice Studies students have held co-op positions at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, at local sheriff and police departments, with local judges, at criminal justice agencies, law firms, community agencies and nonprofit organizations locally and nationally. Our students have also had co-ops in highly competitive organizations, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center — a federally funded regional intelligence agency consisting of several policing and other law enforcement organizations.

Learn about Drexel Co-op

Careers

Criminology and justice studies is an exciting field that leads to careers across a wide range of disciplines — from law to cybersecurity, social science research, and federal intelligence.

Because crime and justice impact many areas of society, criminology degree jobs exist in many fields. What you can do with a criminal justice degree includes positions in the following sectors:

• Technology: There is a strong demand for graduates who can pair technical skills with humanistic perspectives. Graduates of our Justice Informatics degree concentration are particularly suited for jobs in the technology sector.
• Government: Many government agencies employ experts in crime and justice — from criminal intelligence analysts to criminologists and cyber security specialists. Through Drexel co-op, our majors have held positions at organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center.
• Judiciary and Law: Lawyers, policy makers and other professionals benefit from a firm foundation in our society’s crime and justice landscape. A criminology degree is excellent preparation for a range of legal professions or as a pre-law track.
• Finance: With many financial transactions now occurring online, there is an increasing demand for professionals who can investigate cybercrimes and prevent abuse. Drexel courses such as “Computer Investigations and the Law” and “Technology and the Justice System” provide a basis for this career path.
• Nonprofits: Many nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups are closely linked to judicial practices. Our criminology program’s focus on community-based learning prepares students to be advocates for underserved communities and leaders in the nonprofit sector.
• Think Tanks and Academia: A degree in criminology provides the basis for advanced study and careers in criminological research. Our majors are well prepared to enter graduate programs in criminology, the law, policy and more — to teach, conduct research or complete pre-professional programs.

Criminology Degree Jobs

Have you ever wondered how to become an intelligence analyst, or get a job with federal agencies like the FBI or CIA? A degree in criminology can help prepare you for intelligence analyst jobs and other careers in the public sector. Below are just a few examples of criminology degree jobs:

• Federal intelligence analysts help law enforcement agencies reduce crime by identifying patterns in criminal activity.
• Forensic analysts collect and analyze evidence — from digital artifacts and more — in criminal investigations.
• Fraud investigators gather information about potential fraud cases, such as insurance and credit card fraud.
• Social science researchers investigate topics like crime, unemployment, health care and more to add to knowledge about our society.
• Compliance officers investigate businesses to ensure that they are in compliance with federal and state laws.
• GIS developers create and update web-mapping applications to improve a company’s geo-processing abilities.