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2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice provides you with sound knowledge in the areas of U.S. law enforcement, criminology, investigations, law, and community relations. A wide range of course offerings enable you to focus on juvenile issues, causes of crime and criminal behavior, corrections and incarceration, investigative procedures and techniques, leadership, maritime law, or forensics. This bachelor’s degree will complement your professional career path if you are currently in the criminal justice field, or can provide a good foundation for those interested in the fields of criminology, agent, or investigator in federal, state or local law enforcement, judicial, and other organizations.

Our criminal justice programs are among the most popular at the university, bringing you peer interactions and an expanded network of criminal justice professionals who are dedicated to safeguarding their communities and nation. Courses in this program are taught by highly credentialed and experienced instructors, many who hold key positions in government agencies or criminal justice organizations.

Note: For a more in-depth study in forensics, consider our B.S. Criminal Justice degree.

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

Criminal Justice Administration and Organization

  • Recognize and explain the major international, U.S., and localized law enforcement systems and organization.
  • Describe and analyze the political and public administrative aspects of law enforcement organizations.

Criminal Justice Theories and Concepts

  • Communicate and apply the major theories and concepts of crime, criminal justice, and criminology.
  • Conduct research associated with criminal justice and criminology theories.

Criminal Justice Operations, Practices, and Processes

  • Assess the operations, practices, and processes associated with leading standards of evidence and law.

While learning objectives that are specific to the academic discipline have been identified for each degree program, the University System also outlines general education outcomes (Level 1 and 2) that are sought throughout the institution and at each degree level.

Degree at a Glance

Degree Program Requirements

General Education (30 semester hours)

Major Required (27 semester hours)

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a General Concentration, Concentration in Entrepreneurship, Concentration in Maritime Law Enforcement, or Concentration in Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership.

General Concentration (15 semester hours)

This general concentration allows you to select from many different concentration courses offered within this program, enabling you to create your own focused area of study.

Objectives
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)

Concentration in Entrepreneurship (15 semester hours)

Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)

Concentration in Maritime Law Enforcement (15 semester hours)

Analyzes policy and operational strategies used to ensure the security of border and coastal access including defensive measures to protect ports from disruption. Explores laws and doctrines governing navigation and shipping, as well as the law of the sea. Looks at chemical, biological, and radiological classification and response to incidents involving hazardous materials.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze various policy and operational strategies used to ensure the security of border and coastal access.
  • Examine ports to trade and their vulnerability to disruption and attack, as well as defensive measures to protect ports from disruption.
  • Identify chemical, biological, and radiological bases for classification of, and emergency response to incidents involving, hazardous material.
  • Assess the impact of terrorism on U.S. national security.
  • Explore the laws and doctrines governing navigation and shipping, as well as the law of the sea.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)

Concentration in Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership (15 semester hours)

Provides a solid foundation in the leadership process and its benefits to law enforcement, including identifying one’s personal style, judging the value of diversity in leadership roles, and making socially responsible decisions. Topics include gender roles in leadership, conflict resolution, human resource innovation in the workplace, budgeting, and managing an organization during a paradigm shift.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Identify your personal leadership style and explain the benefits of your leadership style on the organization.
  • Analyze necessary organizational leadership skills in given situations and prepare a plan of action for improving organizational leadership abilities.
  • Contrast the value of diversity and apply its strengths in leadership roles.
  • Develop critical thinking skills about decisions in a manner that is socially responsible and responsive.
  • Demonstrate a persuasive and collaborative approach which encourages a teaming environment.
  • Employ organizational accountability to build innovative organizations that respond to ever changing environments.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)

Final Program Requirement (3 semester hours)

Elective Requirements (45 semester hours)

  1. All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110-Making Writing Relevant.

  2. All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110-Making Writing Relevant.

  3. Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment. Must be taken as the last course before graduation.

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