Welcome to the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice
Criminology & Criminal Justice at Portland State brings together passionate students with award-winning faculty who prioritize a high-quality, career-relevant education. Whether they choose to take courses on campus or through our fully online degree pathway, our students are provided the tools they need for a meaningful career as a leader and a changemaker. We value empirical inquiry, access to higher education, diversity, social justice, and community engagement.
Students graduating from our programs leave equipped with extensive knowledge about the criminal justice system and criminological theory, as well as analytic, problem-solving, and communication skills that prepare them for lifelong professional success. While their career interests vary — from law enforcement to victim advocacy, adult and youth corrections, human and social services, criminal justice reform and community organizing, law and legal professions, politics and public policy, homeland security, crime analysis, and crime prevention nonprofits — what our students all have in common is a drive to make a real difference.
Explore our programs, research, and monthly newsletter to learn more.