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Today, more than ever, we have become a society fascinated with criminal behavior and crime. Technology and media have played an important role in bringing this interest to the forefront. The field of Criminology seeks to answer questions such as: Why do people commit crimes? Are they born a criminal? What impact does society have on criminal behavior? Does crime serve an important function in our society? A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Criminology from Central will help to prepare students for careers in the field of criminal justice.

There are a variety of options that a degree in Criminology offers. Listed are just some of the areas of specialization and the type of work a graduate might pursue.

Social Services

• Correctional counseling, juvenile justice, social work, probation and/or parole, victim and offender advocacy
• State and Federal Correctional Facilities
• Youth Correctional Facilities
• Pre-release Programs
• Domestic Violence Agencies
• Non-Profit Organizations

Law Enforcement

• Patrol, investigations, forensics, security, probation, parole
• Local, State, or Federal Agencies
• Correctional Facilities
• Postal Service
• Crime Laboratories
• Colleges and Universities

Courts

• Court administrator, court reporter, paralegal, legal research, Pre-trial service officer
• Local, State, or Federal Courts
• Corporate Legal Agencies
• Non-profit Legal Organizations
• Law Firms

Corrections

• Counseling, correction officer, probation, parole, case worker, transitional counselor, social work, teacher
• State and Federal Correctional Facilities
• Juvenile Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Pre and Post release Programs
• Treatment Programs

Additional Notes

• Some of the professions mentioned above may require further education in the field of Criminal Justice. A strong background in Criminology will begin to prepare students with the skills they need to find success.
• It is important for students seeking employment in the field of criminal justice to have strong oral and written communication skills and to have a good understanding of technology. The ability to speak a second language is considered desirable as well as good listening skills and working with diverse populations.
• Other programs of interest for Criminology majors include psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Course work related to the hard sciences (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) is preferred for career opportunities in forensics.
• Students are encouraged to pursue graduate work in disciplines such as criminal justice, forensic science, social work, counseling, or business to obtain employment in their area of expertise.

Career Resources

• CT Judicial Branch Openings
• Community Partners in Action
• Perception Programs

Professional Affiliations

• Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics
• International Association for Crime Analysts

Understanding the Field

The RJP is a team of Criminology students, working under the Institute for the Study of Crime and Justice (ISCJ), to raise awareness about issues pertaining to racial bias and systemic racism. They are compiling examples of racial injustice in the CJ system throughout the U.S. They are analyzing these examples to identify factors that contributed to the injustices and to understand what corrective actions, if any, have been taken to address them. You can read about these stories through our Instagram account:

Recognizing Racial Justice Advocates

Learn about some organizations and individuals who advocate for racial justice here.

New Course: Racism & Bias in Criminal Justice Settings

A team of Criminology faculty members have created a new course to facilitate deeper exploration of issues pertaining to racism and bias in criminal justice settings. It capitalizes on a range of faculty expertise to reinforce the importance of addressing racial bias and systemic racism from a broad perspective. This course addresses historic and contemporary issues of equity, justice, and systemic racism, and explores students’ own experiences with social justice and inclusion/exclusion. It promotes identification of avenues for reducing disparities, bias, and discrimination in the workplace and broader society.