Criminal Justice (B.S.)

Criminal Justice (B.S.)
Criminal Justice Banner
  Online Program

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.

Students pursuing an associate degree at their local community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway! This resource lists the courses your associate degree should contain at your community college, as well as the remaining courses you’ll need to take at UNH College of Professional Studies to complete your bachelor’s degree!

View Your Transfer Pathway

  • 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 program is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in the following fields related to Criminal Justice: law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, administration, domestic violence prevention, mental health, and other community-based programs that exist for victims, offenders, and their families.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CRIM 410 Introduction to Criminology 4
CRIM 555 The Criminal Justice System 4
ENG 420 The Writing Process 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
CRIT 501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
MTH 402
or MTH 504
or MTH 510
Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
4
POL 554 Law and Society 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480 Visual Communication 4
CRIM 600 Crime Prevention and Control 4
MTH 504 Statistics 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
CRIM 645 Crime Victim Rights and Remedies 4
CRIM 680 Corrections, Probation and Parole 4
Criminal Justice Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
IDIS 560 Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences 4
Uppler Level Criminal Justice Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
CRIM 707 Constitutional Law 4
General Education Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
CRIM 725 Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System 4
IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
CRIM 797
or CRIM 795
Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice
or Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice
4
Elective 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits120

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program
Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.
 
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. 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. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

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 CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

ENG 420The Writing Process4
COM 460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COM 480Visual Communication4
CRIT 501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
MTH 402
Math for Our World
MTH 504
Statistics
MTH 510
Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression4
CRIT 602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDIS 601Interdisciplinary Seminar4
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

ENG 420
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 CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 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.

Major in Criminal Justice
Foundation courses
CRIM 410Introduction to Criminology4
CRIM 555The Criminal Justice System4
MTH 504Statistics4
POL 554Law and Society4
Intermediate Courses
CRIM 600Crime Prevention and Control4
CRIM 645Crime Victim Rights and Remedies4
IDIS 560Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences4
Criminal Justice Elective
Select one of the following:4
BEHS 445
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
or BEHS 675
Terrorism: Domestic and International
or CMPL 525
Foundations of Cybersecurity
or CRIM 425
Juvenile Justice
or DAT 510
Introduction to Data Analytics
or HMSV 424
Human Services and the Helping Process
or HRM 580
Change Management
or HRM 635
Managing Conflict
or MGMT 608
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
or POL 450
American Government and Politics
or PSY 530
Social Psychology
or PSY 602
Theories of Personality
or PSY 603
Crisis Intervention
or PSY 646
Psychology of Occupational Stress
or PSY 654
Counseling Theories
or PSY 685
Principles of Psychopathology
or SOCI 601
Society and the Individual
or SOCI 675
Child Abuse and Neglect
or SOSC 445
Race & Diversity in the U.S.
or SOSC 680
Stress and the Family
or SOSC 710
Social Stratification and Inequality
Advanced Courses
CRIM 680Corrections, Probation and Parole4
CRIM 707Constitutional Law4
CRIM 725Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System4
Upper Level Criminal Justice Elective
Select one of the following:4
BEHS 675
Terrorism: Domestic and International
or HRM 635
Managing Conflict
or MGMT 608
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
or PSY 602
Theories of Personality
or PSY 603
Crisis Intervention
or PSY 646
Psychology of Occupational Stress
or PSY 654
Counseling Theories
or PSY 685
Principles of Psychopathology
or SOCI 601
Society and the Individual
or SOCI 675
Child Abuse and Neglect
or SOSC 680
Stress and the Family
or SOSC 710
Social Stratification and Inequality
Integrative Capstone
CRIM 795Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice4
or CRIM 797 Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice
Total Credits52

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online 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.

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Opportunities for Airmen

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Finish Your Bachelor's Degree With the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)

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. 

Learn More About Community College of the Air Force AU-ABC

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Career Outcomes

Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.