Abstract:
The focus of this article is on the professionalisation process of Criminology in South Africa.
Background to the start of this initiative by the Criminological and Victimological Society of
Southern Africa (CRIMSA) is given to provide the context and the slow progress and
obstacles encountered. The article then moves on to outline the possible benefits and
limitations of the professionalisation process. Furthermore, the professional four-year degree
initiative is examined against the backdrop of the existing three-year BA Criminology
programmes at institutions. A further issue raised, is the decreasing numbers of Masters and
Doctoral Criminology students. Overall, the need for the establishment of a Professional
Board for Criminology is postulated to push forward the growth of the broad discipline and
the further professionalisation of this discipline as a profession via a process of registration
and a Code of Ethics/Conduct.