Criminal Justice Studies Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Explore the causes and impact of criminal behavior and prepare to play a key role in administering criminal justice.

The B.S. in Criminal Justice Studies prepares you to serve as an agent of change in our justice system. From law enforcement to community safety to juvenile justice issues, you’ll be ready to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing challenges.

Program type:: Major
Format:: On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:: 4 years
Credit hours:: 120

Why earn a Criminal Justice bachelor's degree?

Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 15
Spring:: Dec. 15
Summer:: May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's Criminal Justice bachelor's degree puts you on the front lines of public safety and justice. From enforcing the law to protecting your community to advocating on behalf of victims, criminal justice opens the door to a world of opportunities.

Criminal Justice Degree Skills

The Criminal Justice degree integrates a variety of different approaches. You will gain:

Expertise in many different aspects of policing, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.
A deep understanding of the law, victims, criminal behavior, crime prevention, and social justice.
A broad view of the criminal justice system.
Practical experience through internships and collaboration with industry professionals.

You'll learn the strategic skills you need, including:

Strategic Planning
Justice Research
Communication
Ethical Leadership

Accelerated 4+1 Criminal Justice Master's Degree

Complete your bachelor's and master's degree in Criminal Justice in just 5 years. Learn more by contacting Roni Mayzer, Criminal Justice Pre-Law Coordinator.

Accelerated 3+3 Law Degree

Shave off a year of law school while earning your Criminal Justice degree. With the Law (Accelerated Bachelor's/J.D.) program you can double count credits from your first year in law school to complete your bachelor's degree. This means you'll earn a Criminal Justice bachelor's degree and a Law degree in just 6 years! Learn more by contacting Roni Mayzer, Criminal Justice Pre-Law Coordinator.

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice at UND

Study with faculty who have doctoral degrees from some of the top criminal justice programs in the world.
Gain real-world experience in areas like juvenile probation, law enforcement and law through local, regional and national internships and other experiential learning.
Join the UND Criminal Justice Association, Native Americans into Criminal Justice Association or Alpha Phi Sigma, the national Criminal Justice Honor Society.
Ranked as a Top 50 criminal justice degree according to Successful Student.
Raise your grades by getting free academic support at UND. We offer individual tutoring sessions, along with specialized writing and math support programs.
Established in 1974, the Department of Criminal Justice provides bachelor, undergraduate minor, and law programs in criminal justice.

What can you do with a Criminal Justice degree?

75K

Median annual salary for police and detectives, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Criminal Justice degree prepares you to work in any aspect of the criminal justice system. Our program produces graduates who excel in diverse careers, spanning across many areas such as:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Delve into investigations related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives, contributing to national security and public safety.
Corrections: Engage in the management and rehabilitation of individuals within correctional facilities, playing a crucial role in facilitating their reintegration into society.
Courts: Support the fair administration of justice through roles such as court clerks, legal assistants, or even as aspiring attorneys.
Juvenile Justice: Focus on the unique needs of young offenders and at-risk youth, working to prevent juvenile delinquency and rehabilitate young individuals within the justice system.
Law Enforcement: Serve on the front lines of law enforcement, protecting communities, investigating crimes, and upholding the rule of law as police officers, detectives, or federal agents.
Probation: Monitor and support individuals who have been placed on probation, assisting them in adhering to court-ordered conditions and facilitating their reintegration into society.
U.S. Border Patrol: Safeguard America's borders by preventing illegal immigration, detecting and apprehending individuals involved in illicit activities, and promoting homeland security.
U.S. Customs: Contribute to the enforcement of customs laws and regulations, ensuring the smooth flow of goods while combating smuggling, trafficking, and other illicit activities.
U.S. Immigration Service: Assist in managing immigration processes, enforcing immigration laws, and providing services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Victim Advocacy: Advocate for the rights and needs of victims of crime, offering support, guidance, and resources to help them navigate the criminal justice system and rebuild their lives.

Future Studies with a Criminal Justice Degree

Our students have also gone on to graduate studies or law schools at institutions including:

UND
Florida State University
NDSU
Michigan State University
University of Utah
University of Minnesota

Criminal Justice Degree Classes

Online Criminal Justice Degree

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

Flexible Online Criminal Justice Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

What can I expect from UND's online criminal justice programs?

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Open All

A degree in Criminal Justice opens the door to a diverse range of career paths – in policing, courts, corrections, victim services, juvenile justice, intervention/prevention, and more. Graduates can explore roles including police officer, detective, probation/parole officer, correctional officer, victim advocate, crime scene investigator, program manager, data analyst, court support specialist, and security specialist, each offering unique contributions to the field of criminal justice and public safety.

Certainly! A criminal justice degree offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities that extend well beyond law enforcement and policing. Graduates can venture into fields such as legal services, security, investigations, corrections, social work, victim services, juvenile justice, and intervention/prevention. There are various roles in both government agencies and private sector firms.

Yes, a Criminal Justice degree can be a valuable foundation for law school. It provides a solid understanding of legal systems and processes, causes of crime, and how the justice system operates, making it a suitable choice for individuals aspiring to become lawyers or pursue legal professions. Here at UND criminal justice majors are also eligible to pursue an accelerated 3+3 law track to earn the bachelor’s degree and law degree in 6 years.

Pursuing Justice

When asked about it, Chandon Pierre didn't pause. Instead, he spoke with conviction, his past inspiring his dream to make a difference.

Read Chandon's Story

Explore More Options

Looking to connect with the department or pursue an accelerated degree?