Undergraduate

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

Offered through USF Tampa, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and USF St. Petersburg

This degree offers the flexibility to complete criminology courses entirely online, entirely in-person, or a blending of both. 

USF’s undergraduate degree in Criminology provides students with an in-depth exposure to all facets of the criminal justice system and prepares students for a wide array of career options or graduate/law school.

Declaring the B.A. Criminology or B.A. Criminology with Cybercrime Concentration Major

  • Prospective students: Choose the appropriate major on your admissions application.
  • Current students from Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota Manatee campuses: Required to have completed at least one semester at USF, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and meet with a Criminology advisor from the home campus they want to be linked to before being eligible to change into criminology. Advising appointments are scheduled via Archivum.

Adding Criminology or the Cybercrime Concentration as a Second/Double Major or Concurrent Degree

  1. Requires student to successfully complete at least one USF criminology course and have a minimum 2.0 USF GPA before adding it as a second/double major or concurrent degree.
  2. Ensure both majors can be completed within the Degree Progression policy, without delaying graduation or incurring Excess Credit Hours.
  3. Students should first consult current major advisor for an academic plan, incorporating graduation requirements for that major.
  4. Next, meet with a criminology advisor from student’s home campus.
  5. If both advisors approve, then the double major or concurrent degree would be added.

For more information about the program and requirements, please refer to the catalog.

MINOR IN CRIMINOLOGY 

Offered through USF Tampa, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and USF St. Petersburg

The objective of the undergraduate minor in Criminology is to develop an educational basis either for graduate work or for professional training in the modern urban criminal justice system. It is possible to complete the entire criminology minor online.

Declaring the Minor in Criminology

  • Tampa campus students: To declare the criminology minor, fill out the Request to Declare or Change your BSC minor form located on the CBCS forms page.
  • St. Petersburg campus students: Meet with the St. Petersburg Criminology advisor first, then send an email to that advisor as follow up.
  • Sarasota-Manatee campus students: Meet with the Sarasota-Manatee Criminology advisor first, then send an email to that advisor as follow up. 

For more information on the minor and requirements, please refer to the catalog.

CYBERCRIME CONCENTRATION

The Cybercrime Concentration within Criminology provides an understanding of human behavior in cyberspace. The Cybercrime Concentration particularly focuses on the etiology of crime and deviance in cyberspace, correlates of cybervictimization, legal and social issues related to cybercrime, digital forensics, and ways to combat and prevent cybercrime.

Cybersecurity vs. Cybercrime Careers: What's the Difference?

The distinction between cybercrime careers and cybersecurity careers is quite significant, as they focus on different aspects of the digital landscape.

Cybersecurity Careers

  • Focus: Cybersecurity professionals work to protect systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. Their goal is to prevent unauthorized access and attacks.
  • Roles: Common positions include:
    • Cybersecurity Analyst: Monitors and defends against threats.
    • Penetration Tester: Simulates attacks to identify vulnerabilities.
    • Security Engineer: Designs and implements security measures.
  • Skills Required: Knowledge of network security, risk management, and incident response is crucial. Professionals often need certifications like CISSP or CEH.

Cybercrime Careers

  • Focus: Cybercrime professionals often work in investigation and enforcement, dealing with crimes committed through digital means. This includes tracking down cybercriminals and understanding their methods.
  • Roles: Common positions include:
    • Digital Forensics Analyst: Analyzes data from devices to gather evidence.
    • Cybercrime Investigator: Works with law enforcement to investigate cybercrimes.
  • Skills Required: Strong analytical skills, knowledge of legal frameworks, and understanding of criminal behavior in the digital realm are essential.

Key Differences

  • Objective: Cybersecurity aims to prevent attacks, while cybercrime focuses on responding to and investigating crimes after they occur.
  • Work Environment: Cybersecurity roles are often found in corporate settings, while cybercrime roles may involve law enforcement or governmental agencies.

Both fields are crucial in the fight against cyber threats, but they approach the problem from different angles.

For more information on the concentration and requirements, please refer to the catalog.