Criminology and Criminal Justice

Why choose The University of Akron?

1. Our Criminal Intelligence Analysis degree

We are the only university in Ohio to offer you a Criminal Intelligence Analysis bachelor's degree. As an analyst you will be on the front line in the fight against crime and terrorism. Our program will teach you to use data and information to help prevent or solve crimes and security problems. The career opportunities on a local and federal level are continuously increasing.

2. Variety of subjects

You will take a wide range of courses and learn from professors in multiple disciplinary subjects like Political Science, Sociology, and Criminal Justice. Our goal is to prepare you for success by exposing you to all aspects of the criminology and criminal justice field.

3. Real experience = hireable

What you learn in the classroom mixed with the hands-on experience you get through simulated labs and our extensive internship program will give you the skills employers seek. Our UA program is designed to make you desirable to employers. Plus, our proximity to downtown Akron, helps you get your foot in the door of real criminal justice agencies, local businesses, and municipal and state governments looking for skilled analysts, while you're earning your degree. Professors use downtown as an urban learning lab for field observations in security and investigations. In his course, Intro to Police Studies, Dr. David Licate requires you to engage with police officers through ride-alongs, observing specialized units, and interviewing officers.

Academics

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This interdisciplinary program combines resources from Sociology, Political Science and Criminal Justice Studies to jointly offer two bachelor’s degrees, an associate degree, and multiple minors and certificates. Both bachelor's degrees are excellent preparation for a wide range of public and private sector careers, as well as law school or graduate school.

You will learn how the criminal justice system works through a mixture of academic knowledge and practical experience. Our faculty are internationally known researchers, award-winning teachers, and experienced criminal justice and security administration professionals.

UA gives you the choice of a bachelor's degree with a specific career track in various areas of criminal justice, policing, the courts, corrections, and intelligence analysis.

The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice provides core courses in Criminal Justice with several electives that allow you to tailor the degree to your own career or personal goals. While earning your associate degree, you may step-up to one of the bachelor’s degree programs.

Certificates are available for you in any degree program, and also to all members of the community who have an interest in specialties within criminal justice.

BACHELOR'S DEGREES

Criminology and Criminal Justice
This degree will prepare you for a career path in policing, the courts, correctional agencies, or business and industry with a balance of research and professional skills. After taking core and foundational courses in Criminal Justice, Political Science and Sociology, you will choose your concentration area: policing, courts and law, corrections, or criminology.

Criminal Intelligence Analysis
This degree will prepare you for a career path in the emerging fields of crime and intelligence analysis. You will take analytical and technical courses providing you with highly marketable skill sets, and with the ability to apply those skills in several disciplines.

INTERNSHIPS

An internship is a major asset in learning and to employment after graduation. It is required to complete one while earning your degree. We currently have an established internship program that can place you in a variety of positions.

Previous students have interned in nongovernmental organizations, law enforcement, drug rehabilitation programs, probation/parole offices, battered women’s shelters, hospitals, courts, jails and prisons. We have placements in federal agencies (Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security, or Marshals), state agencies (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Ohio State Patrol), and several local agencies in Summit, Stark and Cuyahoga counties, as well as in Columbus and Washington D.C.

Interns have also been placed in counseling and social service agencies (Victim Assistance Program, Shelter Care, Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and Medina County). Research and government agencies are also available.

The high concentration of criminal justice agencies near campus will give you many real-world learning opportunities while still taking classes. The Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff's Office, Summit County Prosecutor's Office and many other criminal justice agencies are downtown that have internships available to you.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

There are several active student organizations that will improve your educational experience, enhance your ability to connect classroom insights to real world problem solving, boost your networking in the field, and (of course) help you have more fun!

• Criminal Justice Association student group | faculty adviser, Sarah St. George
• Ohio Innocence Project student organization | student president, Tanisha Perrera
• Sociology club | faculty adviser, Stacey Nofziger
• Pre-Law club | faculty advisers, Jim McHugh and Phil Marcin

Criminal justice degrees and certificates

Degrees

• Bachelor's of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Law and Courts Track
  • Policing Track
  • Corrections Track
  • Criminology Track
• Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Intelligence Analysis
• Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Minors

• Forensic Psychology

Career options

The University of Akron graduates have been successful in many different fields post-graduation, including law, business, research and teaching. The career outlook for people holding criminal justice degrees is strong. Learn more at the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Prospective students

Contact us with any questions or to schedule a visit! We are available by phone at 330-972-6451, email or in person.

We also have campus-wide admissions events and visit days to give you a feel of our campus.