Overview of a Bachelor's Degree with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology
It is possible to complete a double major by fulfilling the requirements to earn a degree in both subjects. A bachelor's degree with a double major in psychology and criminology can be an ideal academic foundation for individuals interested in working in law enforcement and counseling. Students will develop an understanding of the principles of criminology as well as the history of psychology. The ways that the criminal justice system addresses criminals and crime will be explored, as well as how psychologists approach both criminals and victims.
Admission Requirements for Double Majors in Psychology and Criminology
Students must be accepted to the university or college and complete their first year of studies before declaring a major. Schools typically consider high school transcripts and standardized test scores when offering admission to students. They may also consider supplemental information, such as teacher evaluations, recommendation letters and essays. Once a student is accepted, they need to check what freshman courses they need to complete to qualify for pursuing a major in criminology and a major in psychology. They must complete required courses and earn an acceptable grade in those courses to qualify to pursue their declared majors.
Double Major in Psychology and Criminology Program Coursework
There are some core foundational courses in both psychology and criminology that students pursuing these majors will be required to take. Students in both majors are also typically required to complete courses in sociology and research methods.
Communications
An introductory course in communications is a common requirement for both psychology and criminology majors. Students will learn about communication theories. They will develop an understanding of how people interact and how the method of interaction shapes their communication. Students will explore face-to-face communication as well as technology-based communication.
Introduction to Criminal Justice
An introductory criminal justice course teaches students about the criminal justice system. They learn about the different professionals who play a role in criminal justice and what their roles are. They also learn about how the system works and issues related to criminal justice that can provide distinct challenges for those involved with criminal justice professionally.
Introduction to Psychology
What are the theories that govern psychology? Students will develop an understanding of psychology and learn about psychological research. An introductory course in psychology helps students begin to understand how the mind works and to identify normal and abnormal behavior.
Advanced Criminology
Students will explore the nature of crime. They will also learn about criminals and theories about what causes people to commit crimes. This course expands on the students' understanding of the criminal justice system by looking at the relationship between the criminal justice system and criminals. Students will develop an understanding of how policies can affect criminal justice.
Abnormal Psychology
A course in abnormal psychology specifically focuses on deviant behavior. This can be particularly beneficial for students pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology because students will learn about what qualifies as abnormal behavior. Students will also explore psychotherapy and learn about the different ways that psychologists treat abnormal behavior. Students will also learn about ways to prevent individuals from developing abnormal behavior.
Psychology and Jurisprudence
This is an advanced course that looks at how the criminal justice systems impacts the people affected by it. Students will explore issues related to individuals with psychological disorders who may be incarcerated. Students taking this course will also learn about how psychology can impact the way that the criminal justice system approaches individuals with psychological issues.
How to Choose a Bachelor's Degree Program with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology
Students interested in pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology can choose from a number of academic institutions that offer both programs. Obvious considerations include location and cost. There are also both public and private schools that offer degrees in both of these subjects. This may affect the program costs, which may also influence a student's choice of school. Some schools may offer a wider range of subjects, and those interested in pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology may be particularly interested in choosing programs that have a number of classes related to forensic psychology. There are institutions that also offer the option of taking a forensic psychology specialization, which may appeal to those interested in criminology and psychology.
Career Options with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology
A bachelor's degree with a double major in psychology and criminology can be an excellent academic foundation for a number of careers in social services and mental health treatment. Individuals with a bachelor's degree could opt to pursue work as a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) these professionals earned a median income of $60,250 per year in 2021 and should see a job growth rate of 4% from 2020 to 2030. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors earned a median salary of $48,520 in 2021, and the BLS reported that they should expect to see a 23% job growth rate from 2020 to 2030.
