CAS to offer online master’s degree in criminology

Applications are now being accepted for fall 2023 for enrollment in a new, fully online master’s degree program in criminology.

The program, offered by the Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, allows full-time students to complete the degree in two, 15-credit semesters.

UB’s criminology master’s degree stands out among other such programs in the U.S. thanks to its strong foundation in sociology and emphasis on sociological theory and methods. The new degree also comes during a time of growth of social movements focused on racial equity, especially in policing.

“It has become increasingly clear that a range of inequalities exist in the criminal justice system, such as those based on race, social class and gender,” says Jared Strohl, assistant teaching professor in sociology. “The online criminology MS degree provides graduate students with a deeper understanding of these systemic issues, while also introducing alternative possibilities.” 

The coursework will focus on the nature and causes of crime; characteristics and behaviors of people who commit or are affected by crime; the inner workings of law enforcement agencies; societal reactions to crime; and the connections between crime and other social institutions.

Program requirements include 30 credit hours of master-level credits. This incorporates 18 hours of mandatory coursework in theory, research methods, statistics and portfolio/project guidance, as well as 12 credits of criminology and sociology electives. The online nature of the program offers students the ability to pursue the degree from anywhere they choose, with additional flexibility to do so on their own schedule.

Students of the program will:

• Develop knowledge of the prevailing explanations for criminal behavior and an understanding of the historical origins of the theoretical explanations that has tested and further developed those theories.
• Understand the ways in which crime and the criminal justice system are embedded within other social institutions and structures of inequality.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, interpret and communicate findings.
• Prepare for advanced professional opportunities or admission to a PhD program in criminology-related areas.

“Upon completion of the program, students create a master’s portfolio that incorporates insights from professionals working in their field of interest,” says Strohl. “In addition, the curriculum is delivered asynchronously online, further catering to professional students seeking a master’s degree."

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers associated with analyzing data, law enforcement, corrections, social work or as a primer to doctoral training in criminology, criminal justice or sociology.

For more information on the online master’s degree in criminology, visit the Department of Sociology’s website.