The Department of Criminology at Stonehill, which is ranked No.4 on College Factual’s 2022 list of the best U.S. colleges for a major in criminology, provides knowledge in the theory and practice of the social sciences, research methodology and law.
Pictured Above: Criminology Professor Pamela Kelley confers with Hannah Guidi ’23, a criminology major and ROTC member.
The Criminology major and minor at Stonehill provides students with a foundation to understand the political, economic and cultural patterns that shape definitions of crime, the practices of law, the criminal justice system, the causes and consequences of crime, and crime control policies.
Criminology students take a critical look at the organization and operation of crime control systems at a local, state, federal and international level, including the development and practice of criminal justice, social justice and restorative justice. In addition, other courses examine the nature of individuals and groups that are in conflict with the law or cause willful social harm, as well as those who are victims of crime.
The Criminology Department not only prepares students for typical positions in policing, the courts and corrections, it provides a broader platform on crime and justice, allowing students to enter into an array of positions, including private and non-profit organizations, graduate and law school. Among other things, our graduates work with victims, substance abusers, at-risk and delinquent youth, and adult offenders and as lawyers, researchers, crime analysts, investigators and case managers.
Students are required to complete an internship placement that puts them in direct contact with social service or criminal justice agencies.
Stonehill College’s Criminology program is recognized as one of the best by several college-ranking websites including College Factual and Niche. Stonehill criminology majors pursue various careers, including many in law and public service, and have one of the best average starting salaries in the country.
Stonehill College’s criminology program is ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in Massachusetts by College Factual.
Niche ranks Stonehill's Criminology program in the top 20% of Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America
Students regularly engage in activing learning the Criminology Department. Below, students in the Mechanics of the Courtroom course participate in a mock trial. The first half of the course is an examination of the U.S. court system through a sociological lens. The second half of covers basic principles of legal strategy. The class ends with an interactive mock trial.
Organizations involved in assessing U.S. colleges and universities continually cite Stonehill as being among the best in the nation when it comes to value, outcomes and a commitment to making the world a better place. See full list of accolades.
Stonehill moved up 62 places in this year’s WSJ “America's Best Colleges 2024” rankings, putting it in the top 12 among Massachusetts schools and top 6 percent nationally.
After considering input for 165,000 at colleges and universities across the country, The Princeton Review recently ranked Stonehill College 19th out of 389 schools for quality of life.
Less than 20% of the 700 schools on Money’s 2023 Best College list, including Stonehill, received 4.5 stars or higher in the magazine’s 5-star rating system.
Stonehill students who graduate with a B.A. in Criminology move into myriad professions, agencies, graduate schools and service opportunities. Continue exploring where our graduates work.
Through interning at a municipal court, and with the support of my criminology professors and Career Development advisors, I have gained confidence, knowledge and real-life experiences. Career Development and the Criminology program at Stonehill are two amazing resources with endless opportunities that anyone would be able to benefit from!
The Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is a valuable opportunity for students who have completed their first year at Stonehill to perform significant, publishable full time research under the guidance of and in collaboration with an experienced faculty researcher.
In addition to SURE, faculty work with students to conduct research in other types of projects. This might include working with faculty on their own research, but also includes the work students do on their own research projects and on their thesis projects.
Stonehill's Sociology and Criminology Programs Empower Graduates to Make the World a Better Place
Stonehill’s exceptional programs in criminology, sociology and anthropology provide tools to thrive in a broad array of professions.
