Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, BA

Program Overview

The UCF Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program provides a comprehensive understanding of crime and criminal justice systems. Through core courses and elective options, students gain insights into policing, courts, corrections, and research. Experiential learning opportunities, including internships and research, enhance their professional preparation for careers in criminal justice and related agencies. Graduates are equipped for roles as police officers, correctional officers, justice administrators, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program at UCF is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and society's control mechanisms, as well as to prepare them for professional careers in criminal justice and related agencies. The program incorporates the substance and perspectives across the social sciences. The core requirements of the program expose students to all components (police, courts, corrections) of the criminal justice system where they will learn how these components interact with each other and the community to create the justice system experienced in the U.S. A wide variety of elective courses allow students to tailor the degree program to meet their interests. The department emphasizes experiential learning through both undergraduate research with faculty members and a strong internship program with over 100 community partners. Internship opportunities are available with public and private organizations across Central Florida.

Outline:

The program requires a total of 60 credit hours.

• Core Requirements (30 credits):
• CJE3001 - Careers in Criminal Justice (3)
• CCJ3014 - Crime in America (3)
• CCJ3024 - Criminal Justice System (3)
• CCJ4701 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
• CJL3510 - Prosecution and Adjudication (3)
• CJC3010 - Corrections and Penology (3)
• CJE4014 - Police and Society (3)
• CCJ4678 - Race, Ethnicity, Equity, and (In)justice (3)
• CCJ4746 - Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (3)
• CCJ4054 - Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics (3)
• Restricted Electives (30 credits):
• Scholars' Track (9 credits):
Students must complete three (3) Criminal Justice graduate courses (5XXX), each with a grade of "B" (3.0) or better for a total of nine (9) credit hours; courses are selected under the direction of an advisor.
• 12 additional semester hours of upper division criminal justice (CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, CJL, CJT, DSC or SCC) undergraduate course work (12 credits): Seniors may satisfy up to six hours of this requirement with internships and up to six hours with directed independent study; however, the combination of these non-class options shall not exceed nine hours.
Program standards must be met to be eligible for either internships or independent study credit. Participation in Honors in the Major also recommended.
• 9 additional semester hours of non-criminal justice supportive electives (9 credits): These courses may vary from student to student depending upon individual needs or objectives.
The supporting course requirements may also be met by using 9 hours from a completed minor in another program approved by the department. Students are responsible for the requirements of a second major or minor limiting overlapping credit hours between two or more programs.

Careers:

Upon graduation, criminal justice majors can find employment as police, correctional or probation officers, justice system administrators, crime analysts, private security administrators, superintendents, county sheriffs/deputies, program directors or elected officials. You can also go on to graduate school and get involved with academic criminal justice; or professional school, like law school, and take positions in the legal aspects of the justice system as prosecutors or defense attorneys. With experience and additional education, you have additional opportunities in supervisory, administrative, or counseling positions.

Other:

The program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and society's control mechanisms, as well as to prepare them for professional careers in criminal justice and related agencies. The program incorporates the substance and perspectives across the social sciences. The core requirements of the program expose students to all components (police, courts, corrections) of the criminal justice system where they will learn how these components interact with each other and the community to create the justice system experienced in the U.S. A wide variety of elective courses allow students to tailor the degree program to meet their interests. The department emphasizes experiential learning through both undergraduate research with faculty members and a strong internship program with over 100 community partners. Internship opportunities are available with public and private organizations across Central Florida.

• In State Tuition: $212.28 per credit hour
• Out of State Tuition: $748.89 per credit hour
• Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.