Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behavior. Because crime is a core societal issue, criminologists examine society’s response to crime and the role of the state in crime prevention and enforcement. It is not always easy to understand why people commit crimes, what an appropriate punishment may be, or how laws impact the prevention of crime. Criminologists study all of these issues and more.

Criminology is an interdisciplinary degree that borrows from the disciplines of sociology, law, political science, history, and psychology, among others.