skip to main contentskip to footer

Quick links

  • Athletics
  • Make a gift
  • Current students
  • Job openings
  • Employee directory
  • Apply
  • Costs
  • Explore
Explore U of I
  • Visit and virtual tour
  • Student life
  • Find your degree
  • Get around campus
  • Meet Moscow
  • Join our email list
  • Events
  • Join ZeeMee
  • Athletics
Academics
  • Academic calendar
  • Find a major
  • Student support resources
  • Undergrad research opportunities
  • Meet the colleges
  • Online learning
  • Explore in-demand careers
Admissions
  • Meet your counselor
  • Deadlines
  • First-year students
  • Graduate students
  • Law students
  • Online students
  • Transfer students
  • International students
  • Admitted students
Financial aid
  • Cost of attendance
  • Steps for financial aid
  • FAFSA information
  • Financial aid FAQs
  • In-state scholarships
  • Out-of-state and international scholarships
  • Connect with financial aid
More
  • Student life
  • Research
  • Recreational offerings
  • Student resources
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • Newsroom
  • Events
  • Sustainability initiatives
Find your passion - Explore majors Become a Vandal - Start an application
  • Current students
  • Make a gift
  • Athletics
  • Directory
Events
Explore the P1FCU Kibbie Dome’s legacy
Attend the Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in Library 101, where Nels Reese will present a look at one of U of I’s most iconic structures.
Cheer on the Vandals
Support the Vandals as they take on Utah Tech Saturday, Sept. 13, — bring your Vandal spirit and enjoy the excitement!
Head to Moscow for Homecoming
Celebrate Vandal pride and tradition — join University of Idaho Homecoming Oct. 5-11 and be part of the weeklong experience.
Events
News
Student Dan Lauritzen working in the drone lab with Jason Karl for the College of Natural Resources
Drone lab supports aerial-based research
University of Idaho Fall 2023 Start up events.
Five reasons to join a U of I club or organization
News
Support a Vandal - Make a gift
  • Apply
  • Costs
  • Explore
  • Explore
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Financial Aid
  • Student life
  • Research
  • Recreational offerings
  • Student resources
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • Newsroom
  • Events
  • Sustainability initiatives
  1. Home/
  2. Academics/
  3. Degree Finder/
  4. Criminology, M.S.

Criminology

Master of Science

Student Bex Riehm goes on ride-alongs with Moscow Police Department and is a member of the Citizens Police Academy will graduate next spring with a criminology and psych degree

Elevate your expertise in crime and justice

What causes crime? How can we better prevent it? These are the pressing questions at the center of University of Idaho’s Master of Science (M.S.) in criminology program. You’ll gain tools to uncover the complexities of crime, victimization and justice through research, experiential learning and real-world applications with this interdisciplinary degree.

Throughout the criminology master’s degree program, you’ll explore evidence-based methods for crime prevention, analyze the social, cultural, political and economic reasons behind criminal behavior, and study the broader impacts of crime on society. Why choose U of I?

  • Tailor your academic experience to align with your ambitions, whether in law enforcement, corrections, criminological research, policy analysis or advancing your education toward a doctorate.
  • Take the thesis or non-thesis track depending on your academic goals.
  • Collaborate with faculty members on groundbreaking research addressing topics like policing, violence, homicide and victimization, or intern with criminal justice agencies.
  • Gain global perspectives through international study abroad programs.

University of Idaho also offers the M.S. in criminology program online. Designed for working professionals and remote learners, the online option allows you to study from wherever you are while gaining the same knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities the on-campus program offers.

Overview
College:
College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences
Duration:
2 years, 30 credits
Locations:
Moscow, Online

Related Topics

BehaviorCommunityLawLeadershipPolitical scienceProtectionSociology

Investigate the factors behind criminal behavior

Degree fit

U of I’s criminology master’s degree program is a good fit if you:

  • Seek to understand the causes and consequences of crime and victimization.
  • Want to prevent crime and improve the way justice institutions operate.
  • Are interested in pursuing leadership roles in criminal justice or plan to earn a doctoral degree.
  • Already work in criminal justice and want to elevate your career.

Curriculum and courses

The master’s in criminology degree is a 30-credit program that provides a deep understanding of crime and justice through a mix of core courses and electives. Whether you choose the thesis or non-thesis track, you gain critical insights and practical experience to advance your career in criminology.

The curriculum covers advanced theories of crime, data analysis and applied practices. Core courses include:

  • Advanced Criminological Theory
  • Criminology in Practice
  • Data Analysis in Criminology
  • Justice Institutions

Explore criminology courses

Career outcomes

Current job openings

1,522 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HI

Potential careers and starting salaries

  • Postsecondary Sociology Teachers • Postsecondary Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers
    $48,689
  • Supervisors of Police and Detectives
    $93,651
  • Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
    $60,273
  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators • Intelligence Analysts
    $79,818
  • Social Science Research Assistants
    $40,241
View all careers
Career Services

* Career data provided by Lightcast.

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities

Financial aid

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.

For information on FAFSA deadlines, financial aid types and eligibility requirements, visit the University of Idaho Financial Aid Office website.

Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.

Clubs and involvement opportunities

Enrich your criminology education by participating in activities that connect your coursework to the real world. From engaging in hands-on experiences to building professional networks, University of Idaho’s M.S. in criminology program offers various ways to get involved and prepare for leadership roles in the future. Even as an online student, you can get involved in student groups and other activities led by the criminology program, like virtual events, guest lectures and more, such as:

  • The state of Idaho’s only Inside-Out program with the Idaho Correctional Institution — Orofino
  • The Citizen’s Police Academy offered by the Moscow Police Department and U of I
  • U of I’s Prison Education Initiative  
  • The Idaho Criminology Abroad program
  • Research projects with your professors, including presenting at regional and national conferences
  • Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Criminology Club and Quantitative Working Group

Learn by doing: Internships

Online learning doesn’t limit your hands-on experience. You can gain practical knowledge and build your resume through internships tailored to your career goals. U of I helps connect online students to virtual and local opportunities in areas like law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice facilities, youth services and county courts.

Find an internship

Application information

If you’re passionate about understanding criminal behavior and positively impacting criminal justice, take the next step by submitting your online criminology degree application. All applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

  • Education level: Bachelor's degree in criminology or a related field
  • GPA: 3.0 (applicants with a lower GPA may be considered under specific circumstances)
  • GRE: Optional but recommended
  • TOEFL/IELTS: 79/6.5
  • Number of references: 3
  • Other requirements: One writing sample from a prior criminology-related course

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

Apply to grad school - Start your application

Request more information

Footer

Ready to apply?

Start your application
Joe Vandal head illustration

Contact us

Academics

Email: info@uidaho.edu
Phone: 208-885-6111
Fax: 208-885-9119
Location: Bruce M. Pitman Center 875 Perimeter Drive MS 4264 Moscow, ID 83844-4264
Mailing Address:

Bruce M. Pitman Center
875 Perimeter Drive MS 4264
Moscow, ID 83844-4264

Subscribe to U of I

Visit the email preference center and subscribe to products that interest you.

Subscribe now

Footer Navigation

Resources

  • Policies
  • Privacy statement
  • Web accessibility
  • Title IX

Campus

  • Directory
  • Map
  • Safety
  • Events

Information For

  • Prospective students
  • Current students
  • Parents
  • Employees
Logo

University of Idaho

875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844

208-885-6111

info@uidaho.edu

Engage with U of I on Facebook. Get the latest U of I updates on X. Catch up with U of I on Instagram. Grow your professional network by connecting with U of I on LinkedIn. Interact with University of Idaho's video content on YouTube. Join the University of Idaho ZeeMee conversation.
Support a Vandal - Make a gift
  • Athletics
  • Jobs
  • News

© 2025 University of Idaho