B.S. in Criminal Justice

We provide the specialization you need for an exciting career.

We’ve partnered with the Sociology Department to offer the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. This program is designed to provide an understanding of the problems of crime, delinquency, law, and social control. Its overall objective is to create a sound educational basis for either graduate work or professional training. It’s a good fit for you if you’re interested in law enforcement and administration, corrections, forensics, customs, public administration, criminal investigation, private and corporate security, counseling, homeland security, FBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, or military intelligence.

The major is interdisciplinary in nature, and students may select courses in University College, the Derner Institute, the School of Social Work, and the Departments of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology. Many required courses are cross-listed, enabling students to receive degree credit through University College or the College of Arts and Sciences.

To earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice, you must complete 120 credits of course work that includes general education classes and liberal arts electives in addition to classes in criminal justice. You also must choose one of two concentrations:

• Police Science
  This track focuses on law enforcement administration and community-police relations.

• Social Science
  This track focuses on the sociology of crime and law enforcement, as well as the psychology of criminal behavior.

Students in either concentration complete foundation classes in sociology and psychology, along with a series of core classes in criminal justice. Students also complete 12 to 16 credits of advanced classes that are chosen to match their concentration and career interests.

» Plan of Study for B.S. in Criminal Justice
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