Suppose you are interested in understanding crime, criminal behaviour, justice systems, and strategies that promote public safety. In that case, the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Security Studies offers you a practical and intellectually engaging pathway. The programme explores the causes of crime, the functioning of security institutions, patterns of deviant behaviour, crime prevention strategies, forensic applications, and the broader social factors that influence crime and security.
You will study criminological theories, criminal law foundations, policing systems, corrections, victimology, forensic science basics, security management, intelligence gathering, and conflict resolution. The programme equips you with strong analytical, investigative, problem-solving, and communication skills needed in law enforcement, security organisations, policy institutions, and community-based safety programmes.
At OOU, the programme prepares you to understand crime from behavioural, social, psychological, and environmental perspectives, and to contribute meaningfully to crime control, public safety, and national development.
Course Overview
The B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme provides you with a broad understanding of crime, criminal justice administration, policing, corrections, forensic approaches, and security management. You will learn how crime is studied, how offenders are handled, and how societies design systems to prevent and respond to criminal behaviour.
The programme duration is four years for UTME entrants and three years for Direct Entry students. Throughout your training, you will study criminological theory, behavioural science, policing systems, the court and correctional processes, intelligence analysis, criminal justice policies, and research methods in criminology. Practical work, field visits, and SIWES experiences help you apply classroom learning to real-world crime and security environments.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum follows the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) and integrates criminology, sociology, psychology, law, and security studies to give you a well-rounded understanding of crime and societal responses.
At this stage, you learn foundational concepts in crime, society, and behaviour.
- Introduction to Criminology
- Fundamentals of Security Studies
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture
- Introduction to Psychology
- Logic and Philosophy
- Communication in English
- The Use of Library
- Introduction to Computer Studies
- Basic Statistics
These courses help you understand crime as a social issue while building your academic and analytical skills.
You dive deeper into criminological theories, criminal justice institutions, and the social dynamics of crime.
- Criminological Theories
- Nigerian Criminal Justice System
- Police and Policing
- Corrections and Penal Administration
- Victimology
- Deviance and Social Control
- Forensic Psychology
- Entrepreneurship Studies
- Social Problems and Public Policy
These courses strengthen your understanding of how crime is investigated, prevented, and managed in society.
This level focuses on applied criminology, intelligence work, and practical security studies. You also undergo the SIWES programme.
- Criminal Law Foundations
- Methods of Criminal Investigation
- Forensic Science
- Intelligence and Security Operations
- Criminal Profiling
- Research Methods in Criminology
- Penology and Correctional Counselling
- Conflict and Peace Studies
- SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme)
You develop practical skills required in professional crime and security environments.
Your final year prepares you for professional practice, leadership, and advanced criminal justice analysis.
- Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- Cybercrime and Digital Security
- Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies
- Contemporary Issues in Criminology
- Security Management and Risk Analysis
- Project Work / Dissertation
- Advanced Topics in Policing and Intelligence
- Human Rights and Criminal Justice
By graduation, you will have strong analytical and investigative skills suitable for crime prevention, criminal justice administration, and security management roles.
Entry Requirements
To gain admission into the B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme, you must satisfy the approved UTME or Direct Entry requirements of Olabisi Onabanjo University.
UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)
- You must have five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects in not more than two sittings. These must include English Language, Mathematics, and three other acceptable subjects from the Social Sciences or Sciences that reflect your interest in crime, behaviour, or public safety.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language and three other relevant subjects
- Achieve a competitive UTME score and meet the departmental cut-off
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise
- Demonstrate an interest in criminology, justice administration, security studies, or behavioural sciences
Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)
- Five O’Level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics
- A-Level passes in two relevant subjects OR An ND, NCE, or equivalent qualification in Criminology, Social Work, Law, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields with at least Merit or Lower Credit
All applicants must comply with the University’s admission, screening, and transcript verification procedures.
Why study at OOU?
Studying Criminology and Security Studies at Olabisi Onabanjo University prepares you to understand crime from multiple lenses—psychological, social, legal, and environmental—while equipping you with practical skills needed in modern security and justice systems. The programme is uniquely structured to help you make meaningful contributions to crime control, community safety, and national development. You will benefit from:
- A CCMAS-aligned curriculum covering criminology, policing, intelligence studies, forensic science, corrections, and security management
- Lecturers with expertise in criminology, policing, intelligence, behavioural science, and criminal justice administration
- Practical exposure through SIWES, field activities, and visits to criminal justice institutions
- Hands-on training in investigation methods, profiling, forensic applications, conflict resolution, and security operations
- Opportunities to develop strong analytical, investigative, communication, and ethical decision-making skills
- A learning environment that promotes discipline, responsibility, and critical thinking
- Preparation for careers in law enforcement, intelligence services, correctional institutions, NGO security units, corporate security departments, and research centres
- A strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or Law
At OOU, you acquire the skills and professionalism necessary to address real-world crime and security challenges at the the community, national, and global levels.
Research Project
Your final-year research project enables you to investigate crime and security issues using criminological theories and scientific methods. It allows you to specialise in an area that reflects your interests or responds to emerging security concerns.
Your research may focus on:
- Youth crime and deviant behaviour
- Policing strategies and community policing
- Prison reform and correctional administration
- Victimisation patterns and victim support
- Cybercrime and digital security threats
- Terrorism and counter-terrorism approaches
- Forensic investigation and criminal profiling
- Intelligence-led policing
- Conflict, violence, and peacebuilding
- Criminal justice policy and effectiveness
During your project, you will:
- Formulate a research problem related to crime or security
- Review relevant criminological literature
- Apply appropriate research methods such as surveys, interviews, forensic analysis, or case studies
- Analyse your findings using standard criminological and social science techniques
- Produce a well-structured dissertation and defend your work before an academic panel
This project develops your investigative and analytical skills, preparing you for roles in security, intelligence, research, justice administration, and policy-making.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Security Studies, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Academic Requirements
- Complete and pass all compulsory, required, and elective courses in the programme
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit units if admitted through UTME, or 90 credit units if admitted through Direct Entry
- Maintain a minimum CGPA of 1.00
- Successfully complete and defend your final-year research project
Grading and Degree Classification
Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:
Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Sc. (Hons) Criminology and Security Studies, a qualification recognised for its relevance to crime prevention, justice administration, intelligence work, and security management across multiple sectors.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Criminology and Security Studies prepares you for a wide range of career paths in security services, law enforcement, intelligence analysis, corrections, investigations, and community safety. Your training equips you with strong analytical, behavioural, investigative, and decision-making skills suited for public and private security environments.
Possible Job Roles Include:
- Crime Analyst
- Intelligence Officer
- Police Officer or Investigator
- Correctional Services Officer
- Security Operations Supervisor
- Forensic Support Assistant
- Criminal Justice Administrator
- Loss Prevention Officer
- Security Consultant
- Immigration/Border Control Officer
- Victim Support Officer
- Community Safety Advocate
- Anti-Fraud or Compliance Officer
- Private Investigator
- Conflict Resolution or Peacebuilding Assistant
Where You May Work:
- Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agencies
- Nigerian Correctional Service
- Immigration and border security agencies
- Private security and risk management firms
- Corporate organisations (security and compliance units)
- NGOs focused on justice, human rights, or community safety
- Security intelligence, surveillance, and investigative organisations
- Disaster and emergency management agencies
- Research institutes and policy centres
- Local, state, and federal government agencies
Your degree also prepares you for postgraduate studies in Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Security Studies, Intelligence Analysis, Peace and Conflict Studies, Law, and related disciplines.
How to Apply?
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)
- Choose Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) as your first-choice institution.
- Select Criminology and Security Studies as your preferred programme.
- Sit for UTME with English Language and three relevant subjects.
- Possess five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)
- Hold A-Level passes in two relevant subjects OR possess an ND/NCE in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Social Work, or a related discipline with at least Merit or Lower Credit.
- Present five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.
- Upload your transcripts and required credentials through the OOU Admissions Portal.
- Complete all University and departmental verification and screening procedures.
Course Coordinator
The B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme is coordinated by a team of criminologists, behavioural scientists, and security experts within the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.
The current programme coordinator is:
Dr [Full Name]
Contact Information:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Office:
Course Overview
- Next Admission Process
- Current Academic Year
- Associated programmes = Undergraduate
- Course Duration = 4 Years
- Degree = Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Faculty = Social Sciences
- Course Type = Full Time
- Course Delivery = On campus.
- Location = Faculty of Arts, Main Campus.
- Scholarship opportunities