The School of Public Affairs’ Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (BACJ) program is designed for students who are interested in studying the American criminal justice system. Coursework in the major includes the complex nature of crime causation; the history, framework, and operations of criminal justice organizations; the implications of public policies related to crime and justice; and special topics such as capital punishment, victimology, race and crime, and community corrections.
Students also receive rigorous training in research methods and statistics, allowing them to understand how to frame important questions and become critical consumers of information. Students may choose to concentrate their electives in Law Enforcement, Victims and Victim Studies, or may use electives to study other criminal justice-related topics.
As with all undergraduate degrees at CU Denver, BACJ students will also complete the requirements of the CU Denver core curriculum, ensuring that they have a well-rounded liberal arts education. The critical thinking skills provided by the degree are important to any future career path, but BACJ students are particularly well-prepared for careers in criminal justice organizations such as local, state, and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies and in nonprofit organizations working with people and communities affected by crime. Many graduates pursue advanced degrees in law, criminal justice, and related fields.
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major program requirements.
Review CU Denver's Undergraduate Academic Policies.
Program requirements
Required courses
Students must complete the required courses below, for a total of 24 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
In addition, students must complete the following course:
Elective courses
Criminal Justice elective courses
Students will become innovative thinkers and skilled professionals in the field of criminology and criminal justice by developing five main competencies.
Assistant Professor, Clinical Teaching Track; Program Director, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice