Degree: BA
Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes
The BA in Criminal Justice prepares you to advance in a career in criminology or criminal justice. Explore the complex nature of crime, criminal justice organizations, implications of public policies, capital punishment, victimology, race and crime, community corrections, and more.
Fall: July 31; Spring: December 31; Summer: May 31
Interest Categories: Criminology & Law Public Administration & Policy
Campus: CU Denver
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 Services, 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. See which courses are being offered next semester. 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 pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice may elect to graduate with a concentration in Law Enforcement. The Law Enforcement concentration requires 12 credit hours of courses that will count toward the electives requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree.
Required Courses
Students must complete the required course below. All course descriptions can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
Elective Courses:
There are two elective categories, Topic Area and Professional Setting.The Topic Area electives allows the student to explore a different aspect of law enforcement. The Professional Skills elective allows the student to hone skills related to law enforcement.
Select two courses from the Topic Area list below:
Select one course from the Professional Skills list below:
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice may elect to graduate with a concentration in Victims and Victim Services. The Victims and Victim Services concentration requires 12 credit hours of courses that will count toward the elective requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree.
Required Courses:
Students must complete the two required courses below. All course descriptions can be found in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
Elective Courses:
There are two elective categories, Victims Focus and Professional Setting. The Victims Focus elective allows the student to learn about an area of violence in a more in-depth capacity. The Professional Setting electives allows the student to hone skills related to service delivery.
Students must complete one of the Victims Focus courses below:
Students must also complete one of the Professional Setting courses below:
Recommended Completion Time:4 Years
Max Transfer Credits:15
Max Credits Per Year:48
Required Credits for Completion:39
Students will become innovative thinkers and skilled professionals in the field of criminology and criminal justice by developing five main competencies.