Vienna, Austria
United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime: Transnational Crime
Vienna, Austria
Summer 2026: May 25 - June 12
*dates subject to change
Program Description
This program will take place in Vienna, Austria, with classes held at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), providing students with the opportunity to see various UNODC sections at work and meet UNODC staff. The UNODC is a United Nations agency that aims to better equip governments to confront threats from transnational organized crime, respond to the world drug problem, counter terrorism, tackle corruption, strengthen crime prevention and build humane and effective criminal justice systems. UNODC provides technical assistance, research and normative support to UN Member States to help them develop and implement evidence-based solutions to the complex and interconnected threats that they face at the national, regional and global levels. Headquartered in Vienna with a network of over 130 offices around the world, UNODC is a guardian of international crime and corruption conventions and Secretariat of global UN policy bodies on drugs, crime and corruption. UNODC is the major research and policy hub for criminal justice students interested in transnational crime and international collaboration.
Additional trips will be organized to other intergovernmental agencies and non-governmental organizations in Vienna that deal with transnational crime and justice. The program will also include excursions to locations outside Vienna, including daytrips to the Mauthausen concentration camp and Bratislava, Slovakia. As a result of this program, students will better understand transnational and international crime and the existing frame-work of institutions working to respond to organized crime, terrorism, and corruption. They will also gain a better understanding and appreciation for Central European peoples and history, and enjoy the vibrant cultural capital of Austria that is Vienna.
Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.
Information Sessions
Information sessions will be held in October and November. Registration will be hyperlinked below.
- Info sessions for Fall 2025 are over.
Undergraduate Course
POL 325: Transnational Crime (3 credits): Transnational crime and violence have become major concerns for governments around the world as they work to stem the flow of drugs, control trade in human beings, and deal with the problem of stateless terrorism. In this course, we will study the origins and operations of international organizations, mainly the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the different ways in which they contribute to the global response against transnational crime and terrorism.
Graduate Course
ICJ 706: Transnational Crime (3 credits): This is an advanced seminar course that examines current issues surrounding the topic of transnational crime and its prevention and control. The focus is on established and emerging phenomena with respect to illegal cross-border trade such as the trafficking in drugs, arms, and humans; transnational predatory crimes such as cross-border serial burglary; networks of offenders involved in these crimes and their mobility; and factors that facilitate and shape transnational crime, including international travel, trade, communication and migration. The course also examines the public and private sector responses to crime that transcends international borders.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate students:
- Minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- POL 101; ENG 101 or 102
Graduate students:
- Good standing in a Master's program
Application
You can access and start your application here.
Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025
However, new qualified applicants will be considered for the program waitlist.
Please note: An application fee of $50.00 is due at the time of application. It can be paid by debit or credit card. Money orders, personal checks and cash are also accepted. Applications will not be accepted if incomplete.
Program Cost
Estimated Program Fee: $2,300**
**Subject to change. Includes single-occupancy accommodations, some meals, international health insurance, excursions, and transportation on-site associated with the program. Does not include CUNY tuition, airfare, some meals, visa cost, personal expenses & excursions, etc.
John Jay College Tuition and Fees
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Students should make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office, at their home College, to discuss the applicability of their financial aid to this program.
More information on scholarships and funding can be found on our Study Abroad Funding page.
JJC students can contact Michael Scaduto for more information regarding the JJSAS and general scholarship opportunities at 212-237-8872 or email at mscaduto@jjay.cuny.edu.
Program Notes
- Housing: Students will stay in studio suites at LUMIS.
- Fluctuating exchange rates and other fees may lead to program cost changes.
- Program cost is based on a minimum number of participants for the program.
- Students should discuss applicability of financial aid with the Financial Aid office.
- All CUNY students must meet with their study abroad advisor to be sure the proper e-Permit registration process is followed.
- All non-CUNY students are encouraged to apply early, to be sure there is ample time to apply and register for classes at John Jay College. Please contact OISP for more information regarding the application process. Please note: Tuition rate per credit is different for non-CUNY students. More tuition information can be found here.
- Refund Policy: Payment of the program deposit indicates the student understands and agrees to the Office of International Studies & Program’s payment and refund policies. Students who withdraw from a John Jay College program after confirming participation, but before the program begins, will lose the non-refundable deposit and any unrecoverable costs: students will be refunded 50 percent of program fees 30 days prior to the program start date, and 25 percent of program fees 14 days prior to the program start date. After the start of the program, no refunds will be provided, and the student is responsible for all program fees. If the program fee is not paid in full, there will be a hold placed on her/his CUNYfirst account.
- For faculty-led programs, tuition refunds will be granted following the College’s policies. For more information, click here.
- College-based funders retain the right to recoup funds from the student account if the student does not follow rules of the CUNY Travel Waiver & Release Form, uses the funds for other purposes, or withdraws from the program. Students must understand that they are responsible for full payment of the amount owed to the department.
- The Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) has the right to modify or cancel the program, including changes to the program dates, costs, scheduled visits, program itinerary, etc., as dictated by economic and/or political situations, etc.
- Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare, and for their itinerary. Due to possible changes in program dates/itinerary information, students are not to purchase airfare until prompted by OISP.
- Students are encouraged to apply early, due to limited space.
- Information is tentative, and subject to change, **program cost(s), syllabi, *dates, etc.
For More Information
Academic Inquires:
Prof. Rosemary Barberet, Department of Sociology & ICJ
rbarberet@jjay.cuny.edu
Study Abroad Inquiries:
Daniel Braslavsky, Study Abroad Coordinator
212-887-6105, dbraslavsky@jjay.cuny.edu
studyabroad@jjay.cuny.edu
212-484-1390
Office Location & Mailing Address:
Office of International Studies & Programs
John Jay College, CUNY
524 West 59th Street
Haaren Hall, Suite 410
New York, NY 10019 USA