Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice

Total Credits Required: 120

• Required Major Courses: 33
• Minor and Elective Courses: 46
• General Education Courses: 41

Required Major Courses

• Introduction to Criminal Justice(3 Credits, CCJS 100)
• Criminal Law in Action(3 Credits, CCJS 230)
• Law Enforcement Administration(3 Credits, CCJS 340)
• Introduction to Security Management(3 Credits, CCJS 345)
• Juvenile Delinquency(3 Credits, CCJS 350) or any upper-level CCJS course
• Victimology(3 Credits, CCJS 360) or any upper-level CCJS course
• Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice(3 Credits, CCJS 380)
• Criminal Investigation(3 Credits, CCJS 341)
• Drugs and Crime(3 Credits, CCJS 352) or any upper-level CCJS course
• Correctional Administration(3 Credits, CCJS 497)
• Criminal Justice Capstone(3 Credits, CCJS 495)

A degree with a major in criminal justice requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). See overall degree requirements.

General Education Requirements

Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. See information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues).

Research and Computer Literacy Courses

• Program and Career Exploration in Multidisciplinary Studies(3 Credits, PACE 111M) or Program and Career Exploration in Public Safety(3 Credits, PACE 111P) or other PACE 111 course (to be taken in first 6 credits)
• Introduction to Research(1 Credit, LIBS 150) or Career Planning Management(1 Credit, CAPL 398A) or other general education elective
• Concepts and Applications of Information Technology(3 Credits, IFSM 201) or Digital Media and Society(3 Credits, CMST 301) or another computing course appropriate to the academic major

Communications Courses

• Academic Writing I(3 Credits, WRTG 111) or Research Writing(3 Credits, WRTG 291) or other writing course
• Academic Writing II(3 Credits, WRTG 112)
• Foundations of Oral Communication(3 Credits, SPCH 100) or other communication, writing, or speech course
• Advanced Research Writing(3 Credits, WRTG 391) or other advanced upper-level writing course

Math Course

• Topics for Mathematical Literacy(3 Credits, MATH 105) or other approved math or statistics course

Arts and Humanities Courses

• Western Civilization II(3 Credits, HIST 142) or History of the United States Since 1865(3 Credits, HIST 157) or other arts and humanities course
• Film and American Culture Studies(3 Credits, ARTH 204) or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course

Behavioral and Social Science Courses

• Principles of Macroeconomics(3 Credits, ECON 201) or Introduction to Psychology(3 Credits, PSYC 100) or other behavioral and social science course
• American Government(3 Credits, GVPT 170) or other behavioral and social science course

Biological and Physical Sciences Courses

• Concepts of Biology(3 Credits, BIOL 101) and Laboratory in Biology(1 Credit, BIOL 102) or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses
• Elements of Nutrition(3 Credits, NUTR 100) or  160 or other science lecture course

Additional Information

At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). See overall degree requirements.

If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with coursework in criminal justice, a vertical pathway between UMGC undergraduate and graduate programs in criminal justice allows you to reduce your total coursework for a related graduate degree by up to 6 credits.

The following undergraduate-to-graduate course substitutions will be accepted for a maximum of 6 credits in our master's degree program in management with a criminal justice management specialization.

Issues in Criminal Justice

(3 Credits, CCJS 495) substitutes for Critical Analysis of the Criminal Justice System

(3 Credits, CJMS 600)

Correctional Administration

(3 Credits, CCJS 497) substitutes for Issues in Correctional Administration

(3 Credits, CJMS 620)

The substitutions listed above are the only ones possible. Note that a minimum grade of B must be earned in each undergraduate course for the credits to be accepted at the graduate level.