Introduction to Criminology — Online Criminology Course
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Introduction
to
Criminology
Why do people break the law, and what does society do about it? A rigorous look at crime, justice, and the systems built around both.
What You'll Learn
A full semester of introduction to criminology — completed at your own pace, with no deadlines or fixed class times.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Articulate foundational concepts and definitions in criminology, describe its historical development, and explain the principles of Classical and Neoclassical Criminology along with their contemporary applications
- Define the legal characteristics and elements of crime, categorize various types of crime based on legal and social criteria, and understand the methodologies and significance of crime measurement in criminal justice research
- Examine historical and contemporary crime trends in the United States, analyze demographic influences on crime, and evaluate the impact of crime on communities
- Define victimology, explore key theories and historical context, analyze the concept and costs of victimization, trace the development of victims' rights, and identify risk factors for victimization
- Understand and apply Rational Choice Theory, explore the Positivist School of Criminology, identify factors in Individual Trait Theory, and evaluate their implications on social policy and crime
- Provide an overview of sociological theories of crime, examine social conflict and developmental theories, and explore social process theories including their applications in criminology policy and practice
Major Course Topics
How It Works
Three steps from enrollment to transferable college credit — no campus visits, no application required.
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Start one or more courses covering lower or upper division requirements — instantly, today.
Earn College Credit
Watch short video lessons, take quizzes and the final exam — all from home, on your schedule.
Transfer Your Credits
Send earned credits to your school and graduate sooner, at a fraction of the cost.
Does My School Accept This Course?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations — the same standard recognized by hundreds of cooperating colleges and universities. Check if your school is on our list and move forward with confidence — or schedule a call with our team.
Students Also Enrolled In
Stack multiple courses to build 6, 9, or 12+ transferable college credits — at a fraction of the cost of most campus options.
UPI Study Courses Include
Use introduction to criminology to understand people, behavior, and society.
Why do people break the law, and what does society do about it? A rigorous look at crime, justice, and the systems built around both.
🎯 Why It Matters
- Understand what drives human thought, emotion, and behavior
- Build skills applicable in counseling, education, research, and beyond
- Strengthen ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity
- Applies to careers across healthcare, education, and social services
💼 In-Demand Careers
- Case Manager
- Social Services Coordinator
- Human Resources Specialist
- Counseling Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
🚀 How This Sets You Up
- Complete structured lessons and a comprehensive final exam
- Earn 3 transferable college credit hours
- Recognized by NCCRS and ACE cooperating universities
- Self-paced — no deadlines, no campus visits required
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Common Questions Answered.
Everything you need to know about Introduction to Criminology — credits, grading, transfer, and how it compares to traditional options.
What is Introduction to Criminology?
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Why Take College Credits?
Quick answers about transferable online credits, test-out style learning, and ACE & NCCRS-recommended options through UPI Study.
Which universities accept these credits?
UPI Study courses carry NCCRS recommendations recognized by hundreds of cooperating colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and UK.
Who can take self-paced college courses?
Anyone can enroll — including high school students, incoming college students, adult learners, and students trying to test out of traditional courses.
Why choose this over traditional classes?
Save time and reduce tuition costs. Many students complete prerequisites faster and shorten their time to graduation — at a fraction of the cost.
How many credits can I earn?
This course is NCCRS-recommended for 3 semester credit hours. Transfer as many credits as your university allows — students have transferred anywhere from 3 to 90+ credits depending on their school's policy.
Everything You Need to Succeed
Video-Based Lessons
HD video lectures broken into short, focused modules. Watch at your own pace — pause, rewind, replay any time.
Quizzes & Final Exam
Evaluate your understanding after every section with quizzes and a comprehensive final exam that mirrors real college assessment.
Structured College-Level Course
Structured lessons covering every topic — designed as a standard Introduction to Criminology college-level course.
Official Transcript
Complete the course, request your transcript, and transfer 3 credit hours to NCCRS and ACE cooperating universities. No separate exam required.
Earn 3 College Credits
for $250.
Self-paced. No deadlines. NCCRS-recommended, recognized by various NCCRS and ACE cooperating universities. Join 135,000+ learners on the UPI Study platform.