The Institute of Criminology of the University of Northern Philippines was established School Year 1976-1977. The degree program, Bachelor of Science in Criminology is focused on the different criminological sciences, law enforcement administration, criminal law, correctional philosophies and practices, probation, defense tactics, trends in the criminal justice system, and other relevant fields of criminology.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminology is a four year-program. The curriculum is work oriented. What are incorporated in the curriculum are subjects chosen on the basis of actual needs and priorities to make it responsive to the manpower requirements of law enforcement as well as of private organizations requiring police service, a day-to-day concern, person-to-person, and person-to-community involvement, in which social mores, needs, and problems come into full play.

The restricted curriculum, as approved by the Ministry of Education Culture, and Sports (MECS), now the Department of Education (DepEd), thru implementing Order No. 22, s. 1983, was formulated by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), the Philippine Constabulary / Integrated National Police (PC/INP), and the Bureau of Higher Education (BHE), now the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Its foundation anniversary is usually celebrated on the month of September every year.

Several prominent individuals became the Deans/Directors/Officers-In-charge since its existence, to wit: Dr. Bernard Ramirez, Dr. Francisco Macanas, Mr. Delfin Artajos, Mr. Placido Unciano, Dr. Witerico Balbuena, Dr. Lauro Tacbas, Mr. Trinidad Rojo, and Dr. Sina Bestre (incumbent).

At present, the college continues to grow. The number of student enrolment every year increases because the police profession is very much in demand today. It can be said that the college is the number one source of manpower for the police service in the northern part of the country.

The College is proud to say that it has produced topnotchers in the Criminology Board Examinations, to wit: Jane Roxanne Damian – 4th placer (2011), Richard R. Davalos – 2nd placer (2007), King Julius Crisologo – 18th placer (2003), Wilter Cris Ayunon- 19th placer -(2001), Reynaldo Serafica – 12th placer – (2000), William Ponce - 13th placer – (1997), Juanito Cabang- 8th placer – (1989).

In the field of sports activities, this is now the seventh year that the college is awarded the Overall Champion in the Intramural Games at the University. This shows that the College does not only excel in academics but also in sports.

In the year 2012, the College of Criminology was changed to College of Criminal Justice Education & Social work. The College offered three programs, namely: Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Due to tremendous increase of enrollees in the Social Work program, the need for separation was granted on December 1, 2015. The Social Work program was separated as the College of Social Work, while two programs (BSCrim. & BSLEA) are under the College of Criminal Justice Education.

On November 13-16, 2012, the Criminology program was assessed by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. for Level I accreditation. After few weeks, the accrediting agency forwarded to the office of the University President Dr. Gilbert R. Arce the result with passing mark that made the Criminology Program Level I accredited. Through the enthusiasm of the entire work force of the college, the Criminology program was submitted for Level II-Re-accreditation last August 13-16, 2014. On September 1, 2014 the result was furnished with a passing mark that made again the Criminology program for Level II Re-accredited up to the present.