<p>What's the difference between the two? I think Criminology is more detailed but what does each major have to offer?</p>
<p>From what I understand criminology is more like sociology and criminal justice is more of a technical degree.</p>
<p>Would that effect what I’d be able to do with both of them? Is one more career based?</p>
<p>What careers are you considering?</p>
<p>@coloradogreycat: I’m sure as yet. For right now I’m considering jobs related to federal government.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to the Criminology degree - but my son graduated last year with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. He studied public policy, law enforcement, the legal system, etc. All in all, it was an excellent program. He’s now employed with our local Sheriff’s office. For what it’s worth, many of the federal job postings that he saw when he was looking for work specified that the applicant hold a degree in Criminal Justice. </p>
<p>One thing you can do is look at the actual course descriptions and degree requirements for the universities that you’re considering. That will give you a really good idea about the focus of each degree program.</p>
<p>@coloradogreycat: Hopefully I’m not being too nosy but, what college did your son go to? What does he do in his job?</p>
<p>I’m happy to answer your questions, AllyJay. My son started at the University of Colorado Boulder as a Sociology major with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. He didn’t like the program up there (too much Sociology, not enough Criminal Justice), so he transferred to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. They have a full C.J. degree. It’s a newer program (only been going for 5-6 years now) with great instructors and lots of support for the students. </p>
<p>He did his internship with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and ended up getting a “real” job with them after he graduated. He now works as a Detention Specialist at the Criminal Justice Center and will go through the Sheriff’s Academy to become a deputy next year. He wants to work his way up to detective and is considering working for the FBI some time down the road. A friend of his from UCCS paid for his own POST certification training after graduating from UCCS and was able to land a job as a patrol officer in Northern Colorado.</p>
<h2>facepalm</h2>
<p>@XaviFM: Excuse me?</p>
<p>I think of criminal justice being more vocational and criminology more social science/academic. A criminology program would probably have more Ph.D.'s on the faculty, while the criminal justice would have more practitioners. But it may very well be a semantic difference.</p>