Free Criminology Course: 91 Lessons + Transcripts

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Criminology: every lesson, free with a free account

21 chapters · 91 lessons with full transcripts · 20 with video so farCriminology 150 · 3 credits · recommended for credit by NCCRS

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Chapter 1Foundations of Criminology: Classical and Neoclassical Thought

  1. 1.1 · 13 minCriminology: Core Concepts, Historical Evolution, and Classical School Principles
  2. 1.2 · 13 minNeoclassical Criminology: Theoretical Developments and Contemporary Influence

Chapter 2The Legal Nature and Classification of Crime

  1. 2.1 · 15 minLegal Characteristics, Fundamental Features, and Elements of Crime
  2. 2.2 · 14 minGeneral Classifications of Crime: Legal and Social Criteria

Chapter 3Measuring Crime: Research Organizations and Data Sources

  1. 3.1 · 13 minCriminal Justice Research Organizations and Their Contributions
  2. 3.2 · 12 minFBI Uniform Crime Report: Purpose, Benefits, and Limitations
  3. 3.3 · 12 minCrime Measurement Programs and Victim and Self-Report Survey Methods

Chapter 4Crime Trends, Demographics, and Community Impact

  1. 4.1 · 12 minHistorical and Contemporary Crime Trends and Demographic Influences
  2. 4.2 · 13 minCommunity Impact of Crime and the Cycle of Violence Framework

Chapter 5Victimology and Victims' Rights

  1. 5.1 · 12 minVictimology: Theoretical Foundations, Evolving Definitions, and Origins
  2. 5.2 · 12 minCosts of Victimization and Historical Development of Victims' Rights
  3. 5.3 · 14 minOVC: Mission, Institutional History, and Programmatic Responsibilities
  4. 5.4 · 11 minRisk Factors, Lifestyle, Routine Activities, and Victim Precipitation Theory

Chapter 6Choice, Trait, Biological, and Psychological Theories

  1. 6.1 · 11 minRational Choice Theory: Principles, Applications, and Social Policy Implications
  2. 6.2 · 14 minThe Positivist School of Criminology: Key Principles and Contributions
  3. 6.3 · 9 minIndividual Trait Theory: Factors, Biases, and Leadership Applications
  4. 6.4 · coming soonBiological Theories of Crime and Somatotype Theory: Definitions and Applications
  5. 6.5 · 10 minPsychological Theories of Crime: Assumptions, Criticisms, and Policy Impact
  6. 6.6 · 9 minIntegrating Rational Choice and Trait Perspectives in Criminological Research
  7. 6.7 · 14 minPublic Policy Implications of Trait and Biological Criminological Theories
  8. 6.8 · 9 minComparative Analysis of Positivist and Classical Approaches to Crime

Chapter 7Sociological Theories of Crime and Deviance

  1. 7.1 · coming soonSociological Theories of Crime and Deviance: Overview and Key Features
  2. 7.2 · coming soonEconomic, Racial, and Gender Disparities and Their Impact on Crime
  3. 7.3 · coming soonChicago School's Social Disorganization Theory and Merton's Strain Theory
  4. 7.4 · coming soonSocial Process Theories: Origins, Development, and Control Theory
  5. 7.5 · coming soonSocial Learning Theory and Symbolic Interactionism in Criminology
  6. 7.6 · coming soonLabeling Theory, Secondary Deviance, and Structural Functionalism in Crime
  7. 7.7 · coming soonIntegrating Social Structure and Process Perspectives in Criminological Analysis
  8. 7.8 · coming soonPolicy Applications of Sociological Theories of Crime and Deviance
  9. 7.9 · coming soonComparative Evaluation of Social Structure and Social Process Frameworks

Chapter 8Conflict Theories and Restorative Justice

  1. 8.1 · coming soonSocial Conflict Theory: Definitions, Key Contributors, and Neutralization Theory
  2. 8.2 · coming soonRealistic Conflict Theory, Discrimination, and Critical Criminology
  3. 8.3 · coming soonRestorative Justice: Principles, Community Practices, and Case Pathways
  4. 8.4 · coming soonEvaluating Conflict Theories and Their Applications in Contemporary Criminology

Chapter 9Developmental and Life-Course Theories

  1. 9.1 · coming soonSocial Development Theories and Glueck's Theory of Juvenile Delinquency
  2. 9.2 · coming soonSampson and Laub's Age-Graded Theory and Differential Coercion Theory
  3. 9.3 · coming soonTittle's Control Balance Theory and Developmental Policy Implications
  4. 9.4 · coming soonLife-Course Perspectives and Their Influence on Crime Prevention Policy

Chapter 10Violent Crime

  1. 10.1 · coming soonViolent Crime: Definitions, Types, and Statistical Overview
  2. 10.2 · coming soonAssault and Battery: Legal Classifications, Facts, and Statistics
  3. 10.3 · coming soonRobbery and Hate Crimes: Definitions, Statistics, and Examples
  4. 10.4 · coming soonWorkplace Violence and Kidnapping: Trends, Facts, and Impacts
  5. 10.5 · coming soonDomestic Violence and Stalking: Definitions, Causes, and Legal Frameworks
  6. 10.6 · coming soonEmerging Patterns and Prevention Strategies for Violent Crime
  7. 10.7 · coming soonCommunity and Societal Responses to Violent Crime and Victimization

Chapter 11Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter

  1. 11.1 · coming soonFirst-Degree and Capital Murder: Definitions, Punishments, and Case Studies
  2. 11.2 · coming soonFelony Murder and Serial Murder: Rules, Doctrines, and Statistics
  3. 11.3 · coming soonSecond and Third-Degree Murder: Definitions and Legal Perspectives
  4. 11.4 · coming soonVoluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter: Definitions, Examples, and Punishments
  5. 11.5 · coming soonComparative Legal Analysis of Homicide Classifications and Sentencing
  6. 11.6 · coming soonInvestigating Homicide: Methods, Challenges, and Case Resolution Strategies

Chapter 12Sex Crimes and Legal Responses

  1. 12.1 · coming soonSex Offender Classification: Statutory Frameworks, Typologies, and Civil Liberties
  2. 12.2 · coming soonSexual Assault and Sexual Battery: Laws, Definitions, and Legal Perspectives
  3. 12.3 · coming soonChild Sexual Abuse and Indecent Exposure: Definitions, Statistics, and Laws
  4. 12.4 · coming soonPrevention, Reporting, and Legal Responses to Sex Crimes

Chapter 13Property Crime

  1. 13.1 · coming soonProperty Crime: Definitions, Types, Theft Laws, and Punishments
  2. 13.2 · coming soonBurglary, Arson, and Their Legal Perspectives and Statistics
  3. 13.3 · coming soonTrends, Prevention Strategies, and Policy Responses to Property Crime

Chapter 14White-Collar, Organized, and Economic Crime

  1. 14.1 · coming soonWhite Collar and Occupational Crime: Definitions, Statistics, and Legal Frameworks
  2. 14.2 · coming soonOrganized Crime and Extortion: Definitions, History, and Examples
  3. 14.3 · coming soonMoney Laundering and Green-Collar Crime: Techniques, Examples, and Punishments
  4. 14.4 · coming soonInvestigating and Prosecuting Economic and Environmental Crimes

Chapter 15Public Order Crimes

  1. 15.1 · coming soonVictimless Crimes and Solicitation: Definitions, Types, and Legal Perspectives
  2. 15.2 · coming soonIntoxication Laws and Drug Crimes: Definitions, Overview, and Examples
  3. 15.3 · coming soonPublic Order Offenses and Their Social and Legal Implications

Chapter 16Political Crime and Terrorism

  1. 16.1 · coming soonPolitical Crime, War Crimes, and the Genocide Convention
  2. 16.2 · coming soonIntelligence Operations and Espionage: Historical Evolution, Methods, and Legal Boundaries
  3. 16.3 · coming soonTerrorism: Definitions, History, Types, and the Rise Since 1990
  4. 16.4 · coming soonThe 9/11 Attack, War on Terror, and Domestic Terrorism
  5. 16.5 · coming soonCyber Terrorism, Torture as Counter-Terrorism, and Counter-Terrorism Strategies
  6. 16.6 · coming soonEvaluating Global and Domestic Responses to Political Crime and Terrorism
  7. 16.7 · coming soonPolicy Frameworks and International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism

Chapter 17Cybercrime and Transnational Crime

  1. 17.1 · coming soonCybercrime and Cyber Threats: Definitions, Types, and Examples
  2. 17.2 · coming soonCyberbullying and Transnational Crime: Definitions, Types, and Examples
  3. 17.3 · coming soonLegal Frameworks and Investigative Strategies for Cybercrime

Chapter 18The U.S. Criminal Justice System

  1. 18.1 · coming soonHistory, Development, and Structure of the U.S. Criminal Justice System
  2. 18.2 · coming soonThe Criminal Justice Process, Crime Control, and Due Process Models

Chapter 19Policing in America

  1. 19.1 · coming soonThe Role of Police in Democratic Societies and Historical Impact in America
  2. 19.2 · coming soonFederal and State Law Enforcement: Agencies, Roles, and Models
  3. 19.3 · coming soonLocal Law Enforcement: Types, Agencies, and Responsibilities
  4. 19.4 · coming soonCommunity Policing and Zero-Tolerance Policing: Definitions, History, and Strategies
  5. 19.5 · coming soonEvaluating Policing Models and Their Effectiveness in Modern Society

Chapter 20Corrections: Punishment, Probation, and Prisons

  1. 20.1 · coming soonCrime, Punishment, and the Historical Development of Corrections
  2. 20.2 · coming soonIntermediate Sanctions and the Role of Probation and Parole
  3. 20.3 · coming soonJails and Prisons: Roles, Characteristics, and Administrative Issues
  4. 20.4 · coming soonU.S. Inmate Populations: Demographics, Characteristics, and Trends
  5. 20.5 · coming soonSolitary Confinement and Its Psychological and Legal Implications

Chapter 21The Death Penalty, Juvenile Justice, and Correctional Reform

  1. 21.1 · coming soonThe Death Penalty: Constitutional Debates, Historical Shifts, and Contemporary Arguments
  2. 21.2 · coming soonJuvenile Detention Centers: Purposes, Characteristics, and Legal Frameworks
  3. 21.3 · coming soonCorrectional Reform Movements and Their Impact on Modern Policy
  4. 21.4 · coming soonRehabilitation, Recidivism, and the Future of the American Corrections System

FAQ

Questions about Criminology

Is this Criminology lesson free?
Yes, with a free UPI Study account. Every one of the 91 video lessons in Criminology has its own page with the full transcript, free to read; a free account unlocks the videos. The practice quizzes, graded work and college credit come with the course.
How many college credits is Criminology?
Criminology (Criminology 150) carries a NCCRS credit recommendation for 3 semester credits. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
How much does Criminology cost and what is included?
$250, paid once, with lifetime access: all 91 video lessons, a practice quiz after each, the graded work and final exam, and an official transcript when you finish. Students who want several courses choose UPI Study PRO instead.
Which universities accept UPI Study credits?
UPI Study has signed partner agreements with universities such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Charter Oak State College, and works with universities such as Penn State, SNHU and SUNY. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Use "Find my college" on this page to check yours.
Can I download the Criminology syllabus?
Yes, the full syllabus is a free PDF download; it asks you to sign in with a free UPI Study account first.
How long does Criminology take?
It is self-paced with no deadlines. The 91 lessons total about 4 hours of video; most students add reading and practice time and finish in a few weeks to a few months, on their own schedule.
Do I need a prerequisite first?
Chapter 1 starts from the foundations of the field, so no background is needed. UPI Study also offers Introduction to Sociology and Introduction to Psychology as separate courses.
How are the exams done?
Quizzes and assignments are online in the course. The final exam is taken online with proctoring; a person on the UPI Study team checks assignments, usually within two days.
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When the course shows 100% complete, request the official transcript from your dashboard. It is sent to the college you name, and you can send it to more than one. Check your college first with "Find my college" on this page, or ask Athena.
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