Social Sciences: Criminal Justice (B.S.)
University of Maryland University College

Contact: Jana Gordon—240-527-2711

The criminal justice program provides students with an understanding of the nature of crime and the personnel, institutions, and processes that prevent or respond to crime. Students learn both the theory and practice of the criminal justice system. The curriculum covers crime and criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, corrections, security, and investigation. It provides a solid foundation for further study or entry into a variety of criminal justice professions.

The student who graduates with a major in criminal justice will be able to:

• Accurately communicate orally and in writing to complete organizational missions to ensure public safety.
• Apply critical thinking skills and logic to analyze and solve a variety of complex problems in the criminal justice environment.
• Manage and evaluate organizational efforts to ensure effective cooperation with stakeholders to prevent, control, and manage crime to ensure public safety.
• Utilize an ethical framework and an understanding of legal constraints to make decisions as a criminal justice professional.
• Develop specialized technical knowledge and skills relevant to subspecialties in the field of criminal justice to ensure public safety.
• Use interpersonal and leadership skills to work both independently and cooperatively as a member of a criminal justice team.

A degree with a major in criminal justice requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

For more information please visit UMUC's Web site at www.umuc.edu/undergrad/ugprograms/ccjs.cfm.
 

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