Key takeaways
- Earning a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college provides students with knowledge about crime and criminal behavior through sociology, biology, economics, and politics.
- According to BLS, the jobs for detectives and police officers in the US will increase till 2032 with 50,000+ openings.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are polished in Arkansas state colleges for criminology.
- Some criminology professions include crime analyst, social work case manager, and information security analyst.
- Criminology courses taught in college comprise an introduction to law enforcement, the psychology of crime and criminal behavior, and research methods in criminology.
- Employers seek criminology professionals with good observation, problem-solving, communication, and computer skills.
- Arkansas State University offers online criminology classes for students who work, travel, or have busy schedules.
- Some criminology colleges in Arkansas include Arkansas Tech University, the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and the University of Arkansas.
- The University of Arkansas is among the costliest colleges for criminology, while the Arkansas State University is among the most affordable.
- Most Arkansas state colleges for criminology require a 3.0 GPA for admission.
If you are keen on understanding why people commit crimes, a criminology degree is what you need. Criminology is among the branches of sociology, which helps professionals comprehend the rationale for criminal activities and behavior. Hence, if subjects like economics, psychology, and sociology pique your interest, pursue a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college.
According to BLS, the jobs of detectives and police officers will increase in the upcoming years, till 2032. Moreover, the average criminology occupation is expected to grow by 3% in the United States. There will be about 50,000+ openings for detectives and police officers; hence, criminology majors are unlikely to experience unemployment.
Therefore, read this blog if you enjoy learning about crimes and criminal behavior. To enhance knowledge about criminology, we will delve into the basics of an undergraduate criminology degree, the highest-paying criminology degree jobs, skills required, and Arkansas state colleges for criminology. So, let’s begin.
Who should get a degree in criminology from Arkansas college?
Students experiencing trouble deciding between a criminology bachelor’s degree and another must think about the questions mentioned below:
- Are subjects like psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, and ethics intriguing?
- Does research seem like an enjoyable process?
- Do you possess communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills?
- Do you enjoy watching criminology shows like Sherlock, The Boys, Quantico, and Mindhunter?
- Do you want to improve societal conditions?
If the answer was yes to most of the questions, you will consider a degree in criminology interesting and fun. Moreover, students with a knack for sciences and humanities will find criminology particularly satisfying. The reason is that criminology professionals combine both fields to research how crimes and behaviors affect societies.
Criminology is a fascinating program to pursue in college for 3-4 years. However, one of the perks of attaining an undergraduate degree in criminology is the exposure to work in several fields. Hence, students who prefer a change, now and then, must explore criminology programs in the United States.
What are the career options after getting a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college?
Did you know judges, FBI agents, and lawyers earn $100,000+? However, students must attain further education after earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology from an Arkansas college. Advanced degrees, certifications, and courses are highly recommended for high-paying criminology jobs.
The following table highlights careers with a criminology degree and salaries:
| Professions | National average yearly salaries |
| Crime scene technician | $37,234 |
| Crime analyst | $43,246 |
| Detective | $39,302 |
| Police officer | $39,511 |
| Criminal investigator | $46,662 |
| Information security analyst | $43,940 |
| Intelligence analyst | $42,357 |
| Social work case manager | $48,938 |
| Computer forensic analyst | $49,804 |
| Forensic pathologist | $58,690 |
| Police sergeant | $49,890 |
| Forensic manager | $59,992 |
| Forensic accountant | $65,855 |
| Lawyer | $64,498 |
| Senior lawyer | $74,757 |
Which courses are offered in criminology programs by Arkansas colleges?
Undergraduate criminology courses assist students with knowledge about criminal mindsets, the social justice system, crime trends, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and enhancing law enforcement organizations.
Students interested in comprehending crime through sociology, psychology, biology, economics, anthropology, and politics must consider earning a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college. The list below mentions criminology courses offered in colleges:
- Crime about culture or economics
- Theories of social order
- Theories of criminal justice
- Crime analysis
- Police in relation to society
- Victimology
- Introduction to law enforcement
- Juvenile crime
- White-collar crime
- Contemporary issues in criminal justice
- Psychology of crime and criminal behavior
- Criminal punishment and corrections
- Criminal investigations and procedures
- Public policy related to crime
- Research methods in criminology
- Media & Crime
Which skills do you need for criminology degree jobs?
Criminology professionals must possess abilities and skills like exceptional observation, effective communication, and problem-solving. Such skills help professionals gather quantitative and qualitative research and present data to relevant departments.
Here are some integral skills required by employers for greater success:
Pay attention to minute details
Students with good observation skills succeed as criminology professionals. Typically, the work revolves around interpreting and analyzing data regarding crime statistics, criminal profiles, and other qualitative and quantitative information. Hence, employers seek post-graduates with focus, attention to detail, and remarkable observation skills.
Moreover, some cases require criminology professionals to take interviews. For this, it is crucial to notice behaviors to interpret criminal motivations. Therefore, better observation skills result in detailed reports concerning criminal motivations.
Furthermore, the field of criminology keeps transforming with time, due to different trends and crimes. That is why criminology professionals spend a lot of time researching. So, professionals must be aware of relevant questions to ask and the ways to extract answers from offenders. Consequently, you can benefit from a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college with a curious mind.
Good at problem-solving
It is integral for criminology professionals to be problem-solvers and critical thinkers since their job is to find the root of criminal activities. Why did the offender commit this crime? Through what lenses can the deed be analyzed? What were the motivations for this criminal activity? Such questions are investigated for a detailed explanation.
Furthermore, professionals, like crime analysts, look into complicated matters like how to deal with increasing crimes, collect accurate crime data, and more. Hence, crime analysts are responsible for discovering innovative techniques to navigate complex crime situations.
Open to learning
Among the several advantages of a criminology program is the exposure to different subjects, like sociology, economics, anthropology, and politics. However, professionals must stay updated regardless of the knowledge they already possess. For instance, individuals need to know about the criminal justice system, which is, usually, discussed in criminology courses.
Additionally, criminology professionals learn about international law, civil and criminal law, legal terminology, and the role of courts and legal professionals. They can take free electives in whichever area they are inclined toward.
Although, it is important to possess the desire to learn more information. Staying stagnant will not help criminology professionals because extra knowledge assists with growth and better work quality.
Maintenance of ethical standards
Just like doctors have to maintain confidentiality, criminology professionals must too. That is because they deal with sensitive information, concerning crimes and criminal activities, that can impact lives. As a result, professionals must be aware of the ethical procedures to avoid leaking crucial data.
Moreover, some criminology professionals may require additional training in ethics, depending on their personality and the nature of their job.
Effective communication skills
While researching, criminology professionals may have to communicate with offenders. This is where effective communication skills play a significant role because extracting information requires smooth communication to discuss matters.
Furthermore, professionals like, lawyers, must present data to judges. The importance of communication for lawyers is beyond measure because their job revolves around convincing judges and jurors for or against crimes. Hence, professionals must be able to communicate and deliver data to get their word across.
Computer knowledge
With the rise in digitalization, criminology professionals must stay updated with the latest technology trends. They must know how to use software and technology to research, record, and analyze copious amounts of data. Additionally, reports and presentations are created using computers to impart crucial knowledge concerning crime. So, look into relevant courses for computer skills.
What is the ideal Arkansas college for a degree in criminology?
Students interested in a profession that contributes to societies by exploring the rationale behind criminal behaviors and discovering techniques for enhancing systems must earn a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college.
Here is information concerning colleges in Arkansas for criminology:
Arkansas State University
The Arkansas State University is ideal for you If you are looking for online colleges in Arkansas for criminology. The Department of Sociology and Criminology prepares students for law, government, education, community planning, and business. Criminology courses at ASU include Policing and Surveillance and Computer Forensics.
Criminology majors are introduced to theoretical and practical knowledge of criminal activities through sociological reasonings for crime and data analysis for legal cases. Apart from academics, the university encourages student connections through several activities and 150+ organizations, like comedy, singing, theatre, and sports.
The acceptance rate of ASU is 69.5% and students must have a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point to meet the criteria.
Arkansas Tech University
The criminal justice and criminology program at Arkansas Tech University assists students with professions in corrections, social services, policing, and security. The renowned faculty members embed information about behavioral sciences, research methods, critical analysis, and writing skills for report-making. Such knowledge assists students with graduate schools in criminology, law, and criminal justice.
Furthermore, the campus life at Arkansas Tech University helps students with professional and personal growth. Their leadership programs, student activities, fitness and recreation events, and clubs provide ways to blow off steam amid studies. The college organizes free trips like hiking, canoeing, and rock climbing.
Arkansas Tech University’s acceptance rate is 94.4%. Also, students need a 3.41 GPA and average high school grades, like a combination of A’s and B’s.
University of Central Arkansas
Criminology majors at the University of Central Arkansas delve into law-breaking and making through theoretical knowledge regarding crime. Professors introduce students to the potential reasonings for criminal activities and how to improve situations through research and analysis. The required courses for their criminology program are mentioned below:
- Foundations of Criminal Justice
- Principles of Sociology
- Social Statistics
- Criminology
- Social Research Methods
- Seminar
Additionally, criminology majors at the University of Central Arkansas go on off-campus trips for better learning. The criminology faculty encourages students to volunteer for professional and personal exposure too.
To be accepted by the University of Central Arkansas, students must possess good high school grades and a GPA above 3.7. The acceptance rate is 91.2%, so there is a high possibility of acceptance with good grades.
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas’s sociology and criminology program provides knowledge regarding law enforcement, court systems, and crime prevention strategies. This department also provides a minor and major in sociology, an online minor in criminal justice, and a double major in criminology and sociology. The required courses for criminology include Social Data and Analysis and Finite Mathematics.
Moreover, students of the University of Arkansas have several opportunities for activities like swimming, and attending comedy shows, concerts, and art exhibitions. The acceptance rate is 78.9% and students with a 3.0 GPA meet the admission criteria.
Tuition fee for each degree in criminology from an Arkansas college
Conduct research, by checking college websites, to become aware of tuition fees for criminology colleges in Arkansas. They portray the financial aid offered like grants, federal loans, work-study opportunities, and scholarships.
The table below mentions the tuition fee, before and after aid, for each degree in criminology from an Arkansas college:
| Colleges | Average cost after aid | Average cost before aid |
| Arkansas State University | $11,857 | $24,553 |
| Arkansas Tech University | $13,765 | $22,201 |
| University of Central Arkansas | $15,889 | $24,648 |
| University of Arkansas | $16,050 | $28,300 |
Earn a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college for success and growth!
To sum up, pursue a degree in criminology from an Arkansas college to learn about the reasons, motivations, and impacts of criminal activities. Professors instill critical thinking and problem-solving skills within students through courses like Principles of Sociology and Psychology of Crime and Criminal Behavior.
Furthermore, most Arkansas state colleges for criminology have extracurriculars and clubs like, dance, theatre, sports, and music. Hence, students can blow off steam during their studies. Additionally, students looking for online classes can research Arizona State University because they offer traditional and online criminology classes.
For more information, students can read about criminology colleges in the US like: