Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS
Our world needs professionals who seek to understand and appreciate the complexities of why people commit crimes, how society responds, what strategies can be employed to improve outcomes and feasible tactics to prevent crime. Pivot your passion into a dynamic career with a top-ranked program.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or MAT 117 College Algebra
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in criminology and criminal justice teaches you how to understand the causes of crime, the role of criminal justice agencies in the control of crime, and the consequences of crime. This program also provides a solid foundation if you are interested in pursuing a prelaw track.
You learn sociological, psychological, biological and economic explanations for individual crime as well as differences in crime across neighborhoods, states, countries and over time. You also learn about the history, legal issues and current practices of crime control via police agencies, the court system, prisons, probation and parole.
These topics are delivered by top-ranking research faculty who offer you hands-on research opportunities and by experienced criminal justice professionals with intimate knowledge of the daily realities of crime and those who engage in crime. You are encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities in more than 200 agencies, study abroad programs and flexible course scheduling offered in-person, online and across multiple campuses.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CRJ 201 Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices |
| CRJ 203 Courts and Sentencing |
| CRJ 230 Introduction to Policing |
| CRJ 240 Introduction to Corrections |
| CRJ 302 Research Methods |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze theories of crime and how the criminal justice system responds to crime.
- Examine fundamental methodological and statistical techniques used in criminology and criminal justice research.
- Leverage an understanding of the systemic inequalities of crime for working in 21st century agencies and organizations related to criminal justice.
Analyze theories of crime and how the criminal justice system responds to crime.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
Transfer admission requirements:
The MyPath2ASU pathway allows Arizona transfer students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses that meet the requirements for the community college's AA degree along with the lower-division requirements for the ASU major. Students completing their ASU BA degree at Yuma: Once the MyPath2ASU pathway requirements are complete, students complete the remaining requirements for the ASU bachelor's degree at the community college. Students should visit Admission Services for more information about ASU degrees offered at local community colleges.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to change to this program.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, criminology and criminal justice students are able to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions recommends these programs for students majoring in criminology and criminal justice.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officer | -7.4% | $58,940 | Learn more |
| Corrections Officer | 3.5% | $76,210 | Learn more |
| Corrections Sergeant | -2.5% | $77,970 | Learn more |
| Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) | 3.5% | $76,210 | Learn more |
| Detective Sergeant | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Forensic Specialist | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Fraud Investigator | 4.1% | $81,100 | Learn more |
| Intelligence Officer | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Police Sergeant/Detective | 3.3% | $106,040 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Graduates of the criminology and criminal justice program find a strong job market in the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities exist in:
- corrections
- courts
- federal agencies
- homeland security
- law enforcement
- legal offices
- parole offices
- private security
- probation offices
- victim advocate agencies
In addition, graduates are able to work in combating bank fraud and domestic terrorism. They also may pursue advanced degrees in law, criminology and criminal justice, and other social science disciplines.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
|
UCENT 600
SCCJAdvising@asu.edu
602-496-2356
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
