Program Overview
Criminal Justice
More than just catching the bad guys, this program covers the basics of the U.S. criminal justice system, its impact on society, and our laws and rights.
Types
- Associate
- Bachelor
- Minor
Location
- On-Campus
- Online
Credits
- 36*
Cost
- $9,875
- $220/credit hour
Overview
The bachelor's degree in criminal justice at University of the Cumberlands provides a solid foundation in understanding the criminal justice system and the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and appropriate responses to deviant behavior. Through a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, you will be well prepared to become an ethical and effective professional in the field of criminal justice. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, corrections, or other related areas, our program equips you with the necessary tools for success.
By the Numbers
- $66,020: Average Salary
- 3%: Industry Growth
- WPD: Partnership
- 16:1: Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Programs & Requirements
General Education Requirements
- Bachelor of Science
- Associate
- Minor
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
There’s more to law enforcement than just catching the bad guy. If your interests lie in the fields of corrections and justice, you may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to explore all your law enforcement career options. The expert faculty in University of the Cumberlands' criminal justice degree program will guide you on an educational path toward professional success. This criminal justice bachelor’s degree will teach you what you need to make sure that justice is served – ethically, responsibly, and consistently.
Criminal Justice Transfer Credits
Officers who have successfully completed the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice’s Basic Training course (DOCJT) or similar programs from other states are able to receive up to 15 credit hours as Transfer Credit toward completing a Criminal Justice Degree at UC. The academy graduate must currently be employed by a law enforcement agency and be in good standing with their agency. The Officer must first enroll and be accepted as a student in the UC Criminal Justice Degree Program. The Officer must be able to present documentation from the DOCJT verifying graduation and must submit a copy of their Peace Officers Professional Standards Certification. The officer must submit a letter of recommendation from a supervisor within the officer’s department. With appropriate documentation, transfer credits will replace the following courses:
- CRJS 131 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJS 234 - Policing
- CRJS 235 - Police Patrol
- CRJS 334 - Society and Criminal Law
- CRJS 439 - Internship and Seminar
Course Requirements
- Required Courses (27 hours)
- CRJS 131 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJS 233 - Corrections
- CRJS 234 - Policing
- CRJS 331 - Deviance and Society
- CRJS 334 - Society and Criminal Law
- CRJS 338 - Homeland Security
- CRJS 431 - Criminology
- CRJS 434 - Ethics in Criminal Justice
- SOCI 131 - Introduction to Sociology
- Electives (9 hours)
- Complete 9 credit hours from the list of options:
- CRJS 235 - Police Patrol
- CRJS 236 - Probation and Parole
- CRJS 336 - Criminal Investigation
- CRJS 337 - White Collar Crime
- CRJS 401 - Child Abuse Investigation
- CRJS 432 - Criminal Victimization
- CRJS 433 - Juvenile Justice
- CRJS 435 - Death Investigation
- CRJS 439 - Internship and Seminar
- CRJS 490 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice
- Complete 9 credit hours from the list of options:
- Emphasis Area (18 hours)
- Law Enforcement Management
- ITSS 130 - Application Software
- ITSC 431 - Legal and Ethics
- CRJS 235 - Police Patrol
- CRJS 337 - White Collar Crime
- CRJS 432 - Criminal Victimization
- PSYC 338 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Criminal Profiling
- CRJS 401 - Child Abuse Investigation
- CRJS 432 - Criminal Victimization
- CRJS 435 - Death Investigation
- PSYC 332 - Adult Development
- PSYC 333 - Psychology of Personality
- PSYC 435 - Psychopathology
- Forensics
- CHEM 140 - Chemistry of Everyday Life
- CRJS 401 - Child Abuse Investigation
- CRJS 432 - Criminal Victimization
- CRJS 435 - Death Investigation
- PSYC 434 - Forensic Psychology
- PSYC 435 - Psychopathology
- Chaplain/Prison Ministries
- MSMN 138 - Understanding Cultures
- MSMN 337 - Ministering to Individuals and Families
- CRJS 236 - Probation and Parole
- CRJS 401 - Child Abuse Investigation
- CRJS 432 - Criminal Victimization
- SOWK 432 - Addictions and Recovery
- Law Enforcement Management
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.
- Choose one foreign language sequence:
- FREN 131 Elementary French I
- FREN 132 Elementary French II
- FREN 231 Intermediate French I
- FREN 232 Intermediate French II
- SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Similar to an Associate of Applied Science degree program, our criminal justice associate degree prepares you for immediate work within the criminal justice field. Learn the basics you need, finish your degree quickly, and step into a career in criminal justice, ready for whatever comes.
Course Requirements (18 hours)
- CRJS 131 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJS 233 - Corrections
- CRJS 234 - Policing
- CRJS 235 - Police Patrol
- CRJS 236 - Probation and Parole
- SOCI 131 - Introduction to Sociology
Minor in Criminal Justice
You don’t have to major in criminal justice to help make sure justice is served in the world. Learn the basics of the criminal justice system through a minor at University of the Cumberlands. Understanding more about corrections and justice will come in handy in many ways throughout your life, and it may benefit the lives of those around you as well.
Course Requirements
- Minor Requirements (24 hours)
- CRJS 131 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJS 233 - Corrections
- CRJS 234 - Policing
- CRJS 334 - Society and Criminal Law
- CRJS 338 - Homeland Security
- CRJS 431 - Criminology
- Choose 6 hours of electives:
- CRJS 235 - Police Patrol
- CRJS 236 - Probation and Parole
- CRJS 331 - Deviance and Society
- CRJS 336 - Criminal Investigation
- CRJS 433 - Juvenile Justice
- CRJS 434 - Ethics in Criminal Justice
Mission & Goals
The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice at Cumberlands is to provide an understanding of the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and how to respond appropriately to deviant behavior.
- Gain a core knowledge base in criminal justice.
- Build your leadership and research skills, preparing you for graduate studies.
- Develop an appreciation for the diversity of humanity and how cultural factors impact the criminal justice system.
- Strengthen your critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Cultivate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Career Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Police & Detectives: $66,020
- Police & Detectives: $66,020
- Law enforcement officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
- Lawyer: $127,990
- Lawyer: $127,990
- Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions.
- Private Investigator: $59,380
- Private Investigator: $59,380
- Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters.
- Forensic Science Technician: $61,930
- Forensic Science Technician: $61,930
- Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.
- Paralegal: $56,230
- Paralegal: $56,230
- Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.
- Mediator: $49,410
- Mediator: $49,410
- Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.
Common Questions
- What is a criminal justice degree?
- A criminal justice degree from University of the Cumberlands provides a comprehensive foundation in the U.S. criminal justice system, exploring its impact on society, the role of law enforcement, and the appropriate responses to deviant behavior. This program emphasizes leadership, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, preparing you to become an ethical and effective professional in the field.
- How long does a criminal justice degree take?
- At University of the Cumberlands, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice typically requires 120 credit hours, which includes general education requirements, and usually takes about four years to complete. The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and can be completed in two years.
- Can I get a criminal justice degree online?
- Yes, University of the Cumberlands offers the criminal justice degree both on-campus and online, providing flexibility for students who need to balance their studies with other commitments.
- Is a criminal justice degree worth it?
- A criminal justice degree from University of the Cumberlands is a valuable investment. It prepares you for a variety of careers in law enforcement, corrections, and other related fields. With a focus on ethical practices and critical thinking, graduates are well-equipped to serve society responsibly and effectively.
- What can I do with a criminal justice degree?
- Graduates with a criminal justice degree from University of the Cumberlands can pursue careers as police officers, detectives, lawyers, private investigators, forensic science technicians, paralegals, and mediators. The program’s curriculum ensures you are well-prepared for diverse roles within the criminal justice field.
- How to get a criminal justice degree?
- To obtain a criminal justice degree from University of the Cumberlands, you need to complete 120 credit hours for a bachelor's degree or 60 credit hours for an associate degree. The program is available both on-campus and online, and you can apply transfer and prior learning credits towards these totals.
- Is criminal justice a social science?
- Yes, criminal justice is considered a social science because it involves the study of societal responses to crime, the functioning of criminal justice institutions, and the impact of laws and policies on society.
- Is criminal justice a hard degree?
- The difficulty of a criminal justice degree can vary depending on your strengths and interests. The program at University of the Cumberlands requires strong critical thinking, research, and writing skills, as well as an understanding of complex social and legal issues.
- What is the difference between criminal justice and criminology?
- Criminal justice focuses on the systems and processes involved in the enforcement of laws, including law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Criminology, on the other hand, is the study of the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior. At the University of the Cumberlands, the criminal justice degree covers both aspects, providing a well-rounded education in the field.
Faculty Experts in Criminal Justice
You don't have to be a detective to learn more about our criminal justice professors. Discover more about them right here!
- Dr. Shareeda Tyaire
- Adjunct Professor
- Criminal Justice
- Melissa Bundy
- Assistant Professor
- Criminal Justice
- Dr. Harry Webster
- Adjunct Professor
- Criminal Justice