Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice online degree program provides a broad interdisciplinary approach to capture the unique multidisciplinary nature of the criminal justice field. The program curriculum is structured to help you gain an understanding of social and behavioral contributors as well as how ethics and perceptions can influence politics and policy.
Upon completion of the degree, students will be able to:
- Identify and understand the social and behavioral contributors to crime and delinquency using insights from multiple disciplines and research traditions
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the institutions in the criminal justice system and how politics and policy-making affect these institutions
- Utilize critical thinking and communication skills in practical contexts
- Understand the ethical concerns that arise in the criminal justice field
- Recognize how perceptions of the criminal justice system vary across cultures and how these differences influence policy and public opinion.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program is an excellent option that provides a well-rounded education in this increasingly interdisciplinary field.
Dual Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology
The College of Public Service/College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Criminal Justice/Sociology Dual Degree is designed to make it easier for students to complete degrees in these two majors (in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and School of Public Affairs, respectively).
Students in the dual degree program only need to take 25 credits in Criminal Justice and 34 credits in Sociology (instead of 39 and 37 credits, respectively) to complete the major requirements for both degrees. Standard LAS/SPA college general education and Compass curriculum courses are also required for the degrees. The Dual Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice is available in both in-person and online formats.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Offered By:
College of Public Service
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$403*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Cost Per Credit:
$622*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Priority Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
120
Focus of Study
The program's focus of study is on providing a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and the social and behavioral factors that contribute to crime and delinquency. It is an interdisciplinary approach that draws from various fields, including law, sociology, psychology, and political science.
Additionally, the program emphasizes practical critical thinking and communication skills, ethical concerns in the criminal justice field, and cross-cultural differences in policy and public perception.
Specialization Track Options
Students may utilize their major elective course options (and in some cases core and/or required courses) to form a concentration or ‘option’ area in one or two of the following areas: Forensic Studies, Law, Law Enforcement, or Cyber Crime and Cybersecurity.
While specializations are not mandatory, they can be beneficial for students who wish to specialize in a particular area and acquire knowledge and skills related to their interests.
If you're a student fascinated by the world of forensic science, you'll be pleased to know that you can customize your elective courses to suit your interests. The Forensic Science BACJ track option emphasizes key topics in the field, including evidence collection, processing, and analysis.
Depending on the courses you select, you may delve into topics such as death investigations, interviewing techniques, and homicide investigations. Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the evidentiary steps involved in a criminal case.
This option area requires 15 credits from any of the following courses:
- CJ 1002 - CSI: Fact or Fantasy?
- CJ 2030 - Introduction to Forensic Studies
- CJ 2032 - Investigation of Injury and Death
- CJ 3050 - Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 3950 - Firearms in Society
- CJ 4029 - Legal Aspects of Forensic Studies
- CJ 4033 - Crime Scene and Crime Lab
- CJ 4034 - Criminal Profiling
- CJ 4050 - Advanced Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 4175 - Homicide Investigation
If you're a student seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, obtaining an option area in law might be the right choice for you. By concentrating your elective credits in any of the four courses listed below, you'll gain valuable insights into crucial aspects of the courts and judicial system.
Depending on the courses you select, you'll delve into topics such as constitutional rights, the relationship between law and social policy, the integration of evidence in legal procedures, or a detailed examination of the trial and sentencing process. This specialized focus area will enable you to enhance your fundamental knowledge of the legal system.
Students may select from any of the following 4 courses (12 credits) to complete this option area:
- CJ 3050 - Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 3160 - White-Collar Crime
- CJ 3420 - Pleas, Trials, and Sentences
- CJ 3520 - Juvenile Justice Administration
- CJ 3620 - Introduction to Cyber Policy Issues for Criminal Justice Professionals
- CJ 3950 - Firearms in Society
- CJ 4029 - Legal Aspects of Forensic Studies
- CJ 4050 - Advanced Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 4180 - Comparative Study of Criminal Justice Systems
- CJ 4410 - Criminal Law and Constitutional Procedure
- CJ 4430 - Law and Society
- CJ 4440 - Courts and Social Policy
- PSC 4470 - Constitutional Law
- PSC 4480 - Civil Rights and Liberties
If you're a student looking to delve deeper into the world of policing and law enforcement, consider focusing your elective credits in this area. By doing so, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the evolution of policing, police organization and leadership, and the current challenges facing law enforcement today.
Depending on the courses you choose, you may also gain insight into topics such as police-community relations, investigations, interviewing techniques, and emerging threats like cybercrime and national security.
Students may select from any of the following 4 courses (12 credits) to complete this option area:
- CJ 2051 - National Security
- CJ 2052 - Introduction to Cybercrime, Cyberterrorism, and Cyberwar for Criminal Justice Professionals
- CJ 3050 - Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 3160 - White-Collar Crime
- CJ 3170 - Crime Prevention and Analysis
- CJ 3310 - Police in Contemporary Society
- CJ 3320 - Police-Community Relations
- CJ 3950 - Firearms in Society
- CJ 4034 - Criminal Profiling
- CJ 4050 - Advanced Interview and Interrogation Techniques
- CJ 4175 - Homicide Investigation
- CJ 4180 - Comparative Study of Criminal Justice Systems
- CJ 4460 - Developing Criminal Justice Leadership
Are you interested in learning about hacking, cyberwar, and the application of the Amendments to the cyber world? You do not need to have any technical expertise in computer science or coding.
The Cybercrime and Cybersecurity option area is a great way to learn about contemporary challenges that face both the public and private sectors, including criminal justice and other government agencies.
This option teaches students about the important terminology, legal, policy, and criminal justice agency needs with growing cyber threats and provides a foundation of understanding that you can use in working towards a future career.
This option area requires the following 4 courses (12 credits) to be completed:
- CJ 2052 - Introduction to Cybercrime, Cyberterrorism, and Cyberwar for Criminal Justice Professionals
- CJ 2300 - Introduction to Cybersecurity for Criminal Justice Professionals
- CJ 3620 - Introduction to Cyber Policy Issues for Criminal Justice Professionals
- CJ 4340 - High Tech Crimes and Computer Forensics
Curriculum Overview
Please visit the UCCS Academic Catalog for the most up-to-date list of program courses, course descriptions, and detailed program requirements.
Admissions Information
To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.
Additional resources for Admissions:
Tuition Rate
Cost of Tuition Estimator
Financial Aid
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