Criminology & Criminal Justice Major

Build the Skills Needed in Today’s Justice System

• What is Criminology & Criminal Justice?

  Criminology and Criminal Justice combines the study of why crime happens with practical skills in law enforcement, corrections, and the court system. You’ll learn both how to understand crime and how to prevent it. This growing field offers careers in police work, corrections, victim advocacy, probation, cybercrime investigation, and policy development—all with strong job security and the chance to make communities safer.

• Why study Criminology & Criminal Justice at Champlain College?

  At Champlain, you start taking criminal justice courses in your first semester—not waiting until junior year like at most colleges thanks to our Upside-Down Curriculum. You’ll get hands-on experience that employers value:

  • Work with real inmates through our Prison Law Initiative, teaching them about their legal rights
  • Intern with local police departments, prosecutors, and social service agencies
  • Learn cutting-edge digital investigation skills through courses shared with our nationally-recognized Digital Forensics program
  • Study in Burlington, Vermont—a national leader in forward-thinking criminal justice reform

  Our 100% job placement rate for recent graduates shows that employers value the real-world experience our students gain.

• What will I learn studying Criminology & Criminal Justice?

  By the time you graduate, you will …

  • Apply criminal justice principles – Use proven methods to address crime and safety challenges
  • Analyze criminal behavior – Understand the social and psychological factors that contribute to crime
  • Investigate digital evidence – Gain skills in cybercrime investigation that most graduates don’t have
  • Develop ethical judgment – Make tough decisions based on justice and fairness
  • Build communication skills – Learn to work effectively with diverse communities and team members
  • Explore related disciplines through a minor – Social Justice, Law, Psychology, Conflict Management, Global Studies, Cybersecurity, and Computers & Digital Forensics.

You might also be interested in these…

Based on your interest in the Criminology & Criminal Justice major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.

• Majors

  • Social Work Major (BSW) 

    Uplift families, empower individuals, and heal communities with Champlain’s Social Work major.

  • Integrative Professional Studies Major (BS) 

    Design your own major through Champlain’s Degree Design Lab. You’ll combine courses and real-world learning experiences to personalize your own education.

  • Digital Forensics Major (BS) 

    Release your digital investigation skills. Adopt the investigator’s mindset, solve mysteries, and master artifact discovery with Digital Forensics at Champlain College.

  • Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Major (BS) 

    For our digital future to be secure, information must be safe. Earn real-world experience in computer networking and cybersecurity at Champlain College, and prepare yourself for a vital role protecting society from cyber threats.

• Minors

  • Social Justice Minor 

    See your work through the lens of social justice. Learn how social, economic, and political issues influence each other and affect an individual’s or community’s essential rights.

  • Psychology Minor 

    Develop a fundamental understanding of human behavior, and learn how to apply this knowledge to increase your interpersonal communication skills in your personal life and in the office.

  • Conflict Management Minor 

    Develop a practical way of mediating conflict in your workplace, community, and personal life with Champlain College’s Conflict Management Minor.

  • Environmental Studies & Policy Minor 

    Study environmental issues and the politics surrounding them to discover the action-oriented practicalities of what people and organizations can do to change the world for the better.

• Areas of Study

  • Social Innovation 

    Want to uphold a system of justice through meaningful public service? Check out these majors that revolve around “doing good.”

  • Humanities & the Sciences 

    The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate. Which of these human-centered majors fits you career goals?

  • Individualized Studies & Undeclared 

    Learn what you love, and love what you learn with one of these professional pathways.