Criminology vs. Criminal Justice: What’s the Difference?

While criminology and criminal justice are related, they are two different fields of study. If you are thinking about pursuing a criminology or criminal justice career, it is important to know what makes them unique. Keep reading to learn about criminology vs. criminal justice, how they are defined, their education requirements, and the fulfilling careers they prepare students for in the workforce. 

What is criminal justice?

What is criminal justice? While criminology studies crime and the sociological and psychological behaviors of criminals, criminal justice studies the justice system and those who work in it. In other words, while criminologists study those accused of committing a crime and why to come up with solutions to address issues involved in the crime, individuals in the field of criminal justice enforce these ideas and solutions. In the United States, the three main components of the criminal justice system are law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

When it comes to law enforcement, career paths include becoming a police officer, FBI agent, DEA official, or a U.S. Marshal, to name a few. The individuals in these roles are directly involved with the crimes and criminals themselves. They are among those who act as society’s first line of defense and work to prevent or minimize crime. 

Just as vital to the criminal justice system are the courts and corrections. The primary responsibility of the courts is to determine whether the individual accused is guilty or innocent, along with ensuring there is a fair trial. The courts seek skilled professionals, such as attorneys, judges, and interpreters, to name a few, to help ensure there is equal justice under the law. Once there is a verdict, the individual accused will be relinquished to the corrections system to ensure the sentence is carried out, whatever it may be. 

If you’re wondering, ​​is criminal justice a good major? The answer is yes, if you have an interest in the criminal justice system. Prospective students who want to major in criminal justice will learn about the ins and outs of the criminal justice system, including the history of its structures and its role in society today. What can you do with a criminal justice degree? After earning your bachelor’s degree, you will be prepared for several roles to tackle crime and enforce the law.

What is criminology?

If you are interested in exploring the biological, psychological, and social causes of criminal behavior, pursuing a criminology degree might be for you. Students who major in criminology will acquire in-depth knowledge of criminal behavior theories, the effect of crime on individuals and society, and the criminal justice system. 

Depending on your college or university of choice, you will also receive hands-on learning experiences to solidify your knowledge and skills. For instance, at North Central College, learning goes beyond the classroom. Students in the criminology program can enhance their studies in a variety of ways, such as conducting research and presenting their findings at the College’s Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research, networking with industry experts, joining the College’s Criminal Justice Association student organization, and much more. 

Additionally, students in North Central College’s criminology program are also required to participate in civic engagement opportunities to put their knowledge, skills, values, and motivation into action. “Learning requires students to be active participants in the field. Working with community partners lets students take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to whatever aspect of the criminal justice field interests them most,” stated Raleigh Blasdell, associate professor of sociology.

Utilizing research on best practices in criminology education, the bachelor's degree program has a solid curriculum to help students develop a well-rounded perspective and skill set that will prepare them to accomplish their goals. The program has a diverse offering of required and elective courses that include:

• Community and City Life
• Community Psychology
• Crime, Law, and Society
• Criminal Justice System
• Drugs and Behavior
• Gender: Patterns/Privileges/ Possibilities
• Intersections of Crime
• Law and Order in Cross-Cultural Perspective
• Law, Politics, and Society
• Policing and Corrections
• Power-Based Personal Violence
• Race/Ethnicity: Conflict and Change
• Social Class: Get Ahead/Fall Behind
• Rights, Liberties, and Justice 
• Youth Justice, Crime, and Law

Looking at the list of required and elective courses above, students explore a wide range of subjects, including psychology, criminal law, and sociology, among many others that tend to overlap in both a criminology and criminal justice program. Requirements are designed to include necessary core coursework for students interested in either discipline. Students are able to tailor their degree depending on where their interests lie. By working alongside expert faculty and having access to unique opportunities beyond the classroom to enhance their learning, students become prepared for a wide range of roles.