Criminology – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BA)
Study Criminology at the University of Montana
Take an in-depth look at crime, deviance and punishment in American society. In the criminology program at the University of Montana, you’ll also examine the role of the juvenile and criminal justice systems in confronting perpetrators and protecting victims.
Students completing the Criminology (BA) degree in person, or through our fully online/distance offering by UMOnline, are taught and mentored by talented UM faculty. All have Ph.D.s in sociology, and three of our four permanent full-time faculty are criminologists with expertise and graduate training in criminology.
You’ll develop critical thinking skills, gain a deep understanding of the American criminal justice system and have the opportunity to gain practical experience through internship placements. When you complete your bachelor’s degree in criminology, you’ll be well prepared for employment in law enforcement, corrections, victims’ advocacy, as well as graduate study in sociology, criminal justice or law.
of all criminology courses are taught by an instructor with a Ph.D.
agencies in Missoula where criminology majors can intern
and only Montana university to offer BA in criminology
Other degree options for criminology at UM
What can you do with a criminology degree?
Students completing the criminology are broadly trained sociologists and specialized criminologists. That’s why local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies are eager to hire UM graduates with a bachelor’s in criminology.
Exhibit A: Two recent graduates of our program secured jobs as federal law enforcement officers in Montana — one with U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and the other with the FBI.
Our graduates arrive on the job with a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system, a systemic understanding of inequality – especially around race and ethnicity – and strong data analysis and critical thinking skills.
Many students go on to further their education in the areas of law, forensics, social work, psychology and more.
Criminology jobs
What can you do with a criminology degree? Criminology jobs include:
- Law enforcement officer
- Probation officer and corrections officer
- Crime victim advocate
- Data analyst
- Detective and investigator
- Community organizer and advocate
- Nonprofit manager or administrator
Criminology salaries
We estimate that graduates of the criminology bachelor’s degree program at UM earn an average of $65,206 per year.
Salaries vary greatly depending upon the job you pursue after graduation. For instance, the median pay for police and detectives is $67,290/year. Criminal justice and law enforcement professors can earn anywhere from $35,180 to $129,820. Correctional officers and bailiffs make $47,440 per year.
Alumni Scuccess Story
“I loved working with the detectives on cases and seeing all of the work that goes into getting a case to go to trial.”
- Meghan St. Germain, UM student and intern at Missoula Police Department
Experiential learning in the criminology program
Criminology students have a wealth of internship and research opportunities at their disposal — from working hands-on with the Missoula Police Department to applying their social science research skills to local organizations.
Internships for criminology majors
Our internship program connects students with in-depth learning opportunities as they earn credit.
Recent internship placements in the criminology program include the Missoula Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, FBI, Missoula Probation and Parole, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Parenting Place and the Poverello Center.
Undergraduate research experiences for criminology students
Criminology majors often work on faculty research projects for pay or course credit. Students also have the option of proposing their own research projects and working under the supervision of faculty — who often suggest opportunities for course credit, and sources of scholarship and grant funding available for qualifying student research.
Career development in the criminology program
Your career path is continually enriched at UM — from classes that sharpen your understanding of the criminal justice system, to growing your data analysis and critical thinking skills, to practical experience and networking channels such as the Criminology Club. The club organizes a citizen law enforcement academy and hosts a variety of events that connect student with local law enforcement agencies.
In addition, our Criminology Research Group brings UM faculty and students together on research projects for local and statewide criminal justice organizations, such as the Montana Department of Justice. You’re also welcome to join our chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the sociology honors society.
Scholarships for criminology majors
The Dusten Hollist Memorial Scholarship helps criminology majors fund their degree. Learn more about scholarship opportunities for criminology majors.
Criminology degree requirements
Students in the criminology program focus on the inner workings of the American criminal justice system, the experiences of crime victims and perpetuators of crime, law enforcement officers in that system, and the ways race, gender and class shape and are shaped by that system.
For instance, SOCI 438 is a writing-intensive course for seniors and juniors that explores special topics in Crime and Deviance. Recent versions of this course have focused on homicide, victimology and criminological theory.