Criminology and Criminal Justice (Policing), BS
Dive into the operations, leadership and management of police organizations. You gain a clear understanding of how modern law enforcement agencies function day to day.
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
Criminology and Criminal Justice (Policing) degree description
The concentration in policing in the Bachelor of Science program in criminology and criminal justice provides students with knowledge on policing strategies, police management, police accountability, crime analysis and procedural criminal law. This program also provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing a prelaw track.
Students who complete the concentration have a better understanding of how police organizations operate and are led; effective strategies for reducing crime, building trust and increasing accountability; improving police-citizen community relations (especially in communities of color); how the Constitution protects the rights of individuals in interactions with law enforcement; and techniques for analysis and mapping of crime and other police data.
After finishing the concentration in policing, students are better prepared for future employment in law enforcement and to contribute to the future of policing in the United States.
Why specialize in criminology and criminal justice (policing) at ASU?
You look beyond traditional criminal justice responses and examine what else works, digging into restorative justice, transformative justice, crisis response teams and community-led safety initiatives. Your courses are led by faculty with expertise in community justice, legal advocacy and social change and you're encouraged to put ideas into practice through internships, applied research and community engagement.
Additional details
Watts College's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is home to several research centers. The Center for Correctional Solutions works to enhance the lives of people who live and work in the correctional system through research, education and community engagement, drawing on a participatory and collaborative approach to transform the experience of people who are incarcerated, improve the health of broader communities and nurture students as future leaders.
The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing has helped millions of individuals and agencies worldwide by delivering information that helps police address specific crime and disorder problems, with a website hosting dozens of guides, spanning topics from alcohol and drugs to fraud and traffic, that are widely used in police training and college courses. The Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety takes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, teaming faculty and students with community partners to build, implement and test new models for predicting, preventing and controlling violence.
Outside the classroom, you can connect through student organizations like Alpha Phi Sigma and the Criminology and Criminal Justice Club.
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.
- Synthesize material on approaches for accountability and fairness in 21st century police organizations.
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)
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to enter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Officer | 3.5% | $76,210 | 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 |
| Intelligence Officer | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Police Sergeant/Detective | 3.3% | $106,040 | Learn more |
| Train Police Officer | 3.2% | $90,230 | 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
Careers this policing concentration in the criminology and criminal justice program prepares you for
Career opportunities for graduates of the policing program include work:
- at the local level in sworn positions in police departments and sheriff's offices
- at the state level in trooper and investigator roles in state agencies
- at the federal level in agent and officer positions in federal law enforcement agencies
- in crime and intelligence analysis
- in private security
Graduates of the criminology and criminal justice program with a concentration in policing can also continue to graduate studies in criminology, related fields or law school.
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
602-496-1658
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.
