Criminology & Criminal Justice Major
Make communities safer. Build a better and more just system. Be an agent of organizational change.
Seeking a more just future, for everyone.
Prepare for a career that lifts up communities and makes them safer. When you study Criminology & Criminal Justice at Champlain College, you’ll explore professional opportunities in highly needed fields including law enforcement, criminology, corrections, or any one of a number of careers in criminal justice policy. You’ll also develop deep ethics and empathy, strong values, and a broad perspective to make a difference in the world.
Champlain’s Criminology & Criminal Justice program’s dynamic curriculum combines foundational and skills-based courses such as criminal law, criminology, and police operations with a focus on social justice that addresses the changing nature of law enforcement and the larger criminal justice system and prepares you to become an ethical, service-minded leader.
What is Criminology & Criminal Justice?
The study of criminology and criminal justice focuses on crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. It is concerned with the sociological and psychological reasons behind crime and the best ways society should respond to it.
Why Study Criminology & Criminal Justice at Champlain College?
You’ll learn by doing, right away. Thanks to our Upside-Down Curriculum, you’ll take criminal justice courses in your first year that set you up for later internships or field work. As you continue, you’ll gain practical professional experience within the local Burlington community—a national leader in forward-thinking criminal justice reform. You can work with current prison inmates through our Prison Law Initiative, helping them to learn to navigate some of the legal issues they face. You can also intern with local police departments, prosecutors, defense attorneys, or other social service agencies, gaining a wide perspective on the whole criminal justice field. And your training will be up-to-date: select classes are cross-listed with our Computer and Digital Forensics program, making sure you have a modern take on crime and safety.
In this interdisciplinary program that brings together both theory and practice, graduates will come away with a greater understanding of the role the criminal justice system plays throughout all facets of society, and they’ll be ready to get to work to make communities safer and effect lasting change to the system.
Different by Design
Spread Knowledge, Gain Wisdom
Through our Prison Law Initiative and under the guidance of faculty, you’ll have the opportunity to teach incarcerated individuals about their rights. It’s a unique experience that broadens perspectives and understanding about life inside prisons, while also empowering others.
Be A Change Agent
In the spring semester of senior year, students who wish to be law enforcement officers can complete an intensive 15-week program at the Vermont Police Academy—while at the same time earning 15 credits toward their degree.
A Forward-Thinking Community
You can gain first-hand professional experience within the local Burlington Community—a national leader in forward-thinking criminal justice reform. You might even be taught by a State’s Attorney, a judge, or a police officer.
Facts & Stats
of Criminology & Criminal Justice graduates in the Class of 2023 were either employed or continuing their education just six months after graduation.
Champlain College was listed among the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.
Our student-to-faculty ratio means you can count on personalized support and guidance from faculty and staff committed to your academic success.
Sample Courses in the Criminology & Criminal Justice Major
Check out some of the engaging and hands-on courses in our program. Our Upside-Down Curriculum will put you in your major right away.
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.
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Majors
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Social Work Major
Uplift families, empower individuals, and heal communities with Champlain’s Social Work major.
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Integrative Professional Studies Major
Design your own major through Champlain’s Degree Design Lab. You’ll combine courses and real-world learning experiences to personalize your own education.
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Digital Forensics Major
Release your digital investigation skills. Adopt the investigator’s mindset, solve mysteries, and master artifact discovery with Digital Forensics at Champlain College.
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Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Major
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.
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Minors
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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.
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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.
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Conflict Management Minor
Develop a practical way of mediating conflict in your workplace, community, and personal life with Champlain College’s Conflict Management Minor.
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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.
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Areas of Study
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Law & Society
Want to uphold a system of justice through meaningful public service? Check out these majors that revolve around “doing good.”
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Education, Humanities & the Sciences
The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate. Which of these human-centered majors fits you career goals?
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Individualized Studies & Undeclared
Learn what you love, and love what you learn with one of these professional pathways.
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The best aim of the criminal justice system is to provide protection and justice for those most vulnerable and least able to pay for it. It is time to accept the challenge of creating a relevant, beneficial, anti-racist criminal justice program, and criminal justice system.
Sign Up To Get Stickers + Helpful Info
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Career Success
Criminology & Criminal Justice graduates are ready to enter the workforce and act as change-makers. 100% of Criminology majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation.
Your Career Outlook
By the time you graduate, you will …
- Know the fundamental principles needed in Criminology & Criminal Justice professions, from the criminal process to the essential elements of substantive criminal law.
- Study complex topics such as the sociological understanding of criminology and the ever-expanding arena of cybercrime and digital forensics.
- Examine the manifestations of systemic oppression, engage in anti-racist professional practice, and interrogate the role the criminal justice field plays in advancing social good.
- Explore related disciplines through a minor. With over 40 minors to choose from, some of the most popular with Criminology & Criminal Justice include Social Justice, Law, Psychology, Conflict Management, Global Studies, Cybersecurity, and Computers & Digital Forensics.
You’ll Find a Career In…
- Public defense law
- Cybercrime investigation
- Law enforcement
- Social work
- Corrections
- Restorative justice
- Public policy
- Investigative journalism
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Pre-College Summer Program: Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics AcademyThe Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Academy offers students an in-depth learning experience in the field of cybersecurity and digital forensics. Students work together to solve real digital forensics problems faced by law enforcement agencies all over America and gain hands-on learning experience from veterans of the cybersecurity industry in this pre-college summer program.
This program is designed for students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates.
Learn More on the Pre-College Summer Program Website
More Inside Criminology & Criminal Justice Major
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Overview
Make communities safer. Build a better and more just system. Be an agent of organizational change.
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Curriculum
Our Criminology & Criminal Justice curriculum focuses on restorative and social justice, with flexibility that can take you into a variety of careers.
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Faculty
Our Criminology & Criminal Justice faculty go above and beyond to inspire your curiosity, learning, and growth. Small class sizes foster personal connections and mastery.