The online B.S. in Criminal Justice will help you grow your career in law enforcement. You’ll develop a working knowledge of criminology, corrections, probation, parole, constitutional law, and advocacy.
Credit Hours: 120 | Transfer: Up to 90 Credits | Tuition Cost
What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is a large field focused on maintaining lawful behavior throughout communities, which involves many different roles and job types. This program is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in a wide variety of fields related to criminal justice, including roles such as: law enforcement officer, police detective, corrections officer, probation and parole officer, juvenile detective, school resource officer, military police, government facility security officer, crime victim advocate, child protection investigator, juvenile diversion specialist, and crime analyst.
Why study Criminal Justice at UNH College of Professional Studies?
The B.S. in Criminal Justice will help you grow your career in law enforcement or related fields. You’ll develop a working knowledge of criminology, the criminal justice system, corrections, probation, parole, constitutional law, and advocacy. You will also study the foundations of ethical decision making within the criminal justice system, which can help to prepare you to become a well-rounded professional in this field.
For current criminal justice professionals who are looking to complete their degree, an online B.S. in Criminal Justice will open the door for career advancement, as well as opportunities for other employment options upon retirement. This program is also an excellent refresher for seasoned professionals and can provide a steppingstone to graduate programs such as a Master’s in Public Administration or law school.
For those looking to enter the criminal justice field for the first time, this program will provide you with an essential foundation and boost your employment potential at law enforcement and government agencies. It also provides excellent preparation for those looking to attend a police or correctional academy.
Potential Career Areas
- Child Protection
- Corrections Officers
- Court Advocates
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Emergency Management Directors
- First-Line Supervisors
- Juvenile Probation
- Military Police
- Police Administration
- Police Identification and Records Officers
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Probation and Parole Officers
- School Resource Officer
- Security Guards
- Transit and Railroad Police
Course Highlights
- The Criminal Justice System
- Crime Prevention and Control
- Crime Victim Rights and Remedies
- Corrections, Probation and Parole
- Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System
- Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
- Statistics
- Law and Society
…and more!
Why UNH CPS?
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
- Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
- Affordable tuition.
- Nationally ranked online programs.
- About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
- Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
- We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.
Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.
- Completion of our free, online application for admission
- High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC
Curriculum & Requirements
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.
Sample Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| °ä¸é±õ²ÑÌý410 | Introduction to Criminology | 4 |
| °ä¸é±õ²ÑÌý555 | The Criminal Justice System | 4 |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| COMÌý460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| CRITÌý501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| MTHÌý402 or MTHÌý504 or MTHÌý510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| POLÌý554 | Law and Society | 4 |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMÌý480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIMÌý600 | Crime Prevention and Control | 4 |
| MTHÌý504 | Statistics | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| CRIMÌý645 | Crime Victim Rights and Remedies | 4 |
| CRIMÌý680 | Corrections, Probation and Parole | 4 |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRITÌý602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDISÌý560 | Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| Uppler Level Criminal Justice Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| CRIMÌý707 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRIMÌý725 | Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System | 4 |
| IDISÌý601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| CRIMÌý797 or CRIMÌý795 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice or Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 8 |
| Ìý | Total Credits | 120 |
Degree Requirements
General Education Program Requirements
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements, including CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COMÌý460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COMÌý480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRITÌý501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTHÌý402 | Math for Our World | |
MTHÌý504 | Statistics | |
MTHÌý510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| CRITÌý602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDISÌý601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Writing Program Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | |
One Writing Intensive course in the Major | ||
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above | ||
One Additional Writing Intensive Course | ||
Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.
Major Requirements
Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Criminal Justice | ||
| Foundation courses | ||
| °ä¸é±õ²ÑÌý410 | Introduction to Criminology | 4 |
| °ä¸é±õ²ÑÌý555 | The Criminal Justice System | 4 |
| MTHÌý504 | Statistics | 4 |
| POLÌý554 | Law and Society | 4 |
| Intermediate Courses | ||
| CRIMÌý600 | Crime Prevention and Control | 4 |
| CRIMÌý645 | Crime Victim Rights and Remedies | 4 |
| IDISÌý560 | Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| Criminal Justice Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
BEHSÌý445 | Homeland Security and Emergency Management | |
orÌýBEHSÌý675 | Terrorism: Domestic and International | |
orÌýCMPLÌý525 | Foundations of Cybersecurity | |
orÌýCRIMÌý425 | Juvenile Justice | |
orÌýDATÌý510 | Introduction to Data Analytics | |
orÌýHMSVÌý424 | Human Services and the Helping Process | |
orÌýHRMÌý580 | Change Management | |
orÌýHRMÌý635 | Managing Conflict | |
orÌýMGMTÌý608 | Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace | |
orÌýPOLÌý450 | American Government and Politics | |
orÌýPSYÌý530 | Social Psychology | |
orÌýPSYÌý602 | Theories of Personality | |
orÌýPSYÌý603 | Crisis Intervention | |
orÌýPSYÌý646 | Psychology of Occupational Stress | |
orÌýPSYÌý654 | Counseling Theories | |
orÌýPSYÌý685 | Principles of Psychopathology | |
orÌýSOCIÌý601 | Society and the Individual | |
orÌýSOCIÌý675 | Child Abuse and Neglect | |
orÌýSOSCÌý445 | Race & Diversity in the U.S. | |
orÌýSOSCÌý680 | Stress and the Family | |
orÌýSOSCÌý710 | Social Stratification and Inequality | |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| CRIMÌý680 | Corrections, Probation and Parole | 4 |
| CRIMÌý707 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| CRIMÌý725 | Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System | 4 |
| Upper Level Criminal Justice Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
BEHSÌý675 | Terrorism: Domestic and International | |
orÌýHRMÌý635 | Managing Conflict | |
orÌýMGMTÌý608 | Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace | |
orÌýPSYÌý602 | Theories of Personality | |
orÌýPSYÌý603 | Crisis Intervention | |
orÌýPSYÌý646 | Psychology of Occupational Stress | |
orÌýPSYÌý654 | Counseling Theories | |
orÌýPSYÌý685 | Principles of Psychopathology | |
orÌýSOCIÌý601 | Society and the Individual | |
orÌýSOCIÌý675 | Child Abuse and Neglect | |
orÌýSOSCÌý680 | Stress and the Family | |
orÌýSOSCÌý710 | Social Stratification and Inequality | |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| CRIMÌý795 | Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice | 4 |
| orÌýCRIMÌý797 | Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice | |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Electives
Open electivesÌýare coursesÌýstudents will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order toÌýsatisfy the remaining credit totalsÌýfor their programs. Open electivesÌýareÌýdefinedÌýas any creditÌýcourseÌýoffered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor.ÌýStudents will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Division of the College of Professional Studies.
- Possess a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of the psychosocial, cultural, ethical, and political dimensions of criminal justice in contemporary society.
- Demonstrate an ability to understand and apply ethical thinking and behavior as it relates to their work environment.
- Use research methodology and interpret information as it applies to criminal justice.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, US and NH constitutional law, and advocacy.
Your Prior and Current Learning Counts
Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.
Opportunities for Airmen
The AU-ABC partnership between Air University and the UNH College of Professional Studies allows you to apply your CCAF Associate in Applied Science toward this online bachelor's degree. All CCAF degrees are transferable into this program. earn More About Community College of the Air Force AU-ABC
Career Outcomes
Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.