Those interested in working in the field of criminal justice may wonder what might be expected of them during the application process. Physical ability and mental stability often come to mind, but what other skills and experience does one need to thrive in this field? When considering a criminal justice career, it’s important to research the criminal justice education requirements. Academic achievement can make a difference in the career paths made open and available to you.
What Degree is Required for a Criminal Justice Career?
Criminal justice degree requirements vary by career. While police departments only require entry-level applicants to hold academy training and/or an associate degree, detectives and supervisors are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Probation officers, parole officers, and correctional treatment specialists are also expected to have a bachelor’s degree in hand. Fish and game wardens must hold a bachelor’s degree, while park rangers and wildlife officers can often be employed without a college education.
Federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, require that candidates hold a bachelor’s degree. Some agencies even require applicants to have fluency in a second language. Be sure to investigate the degree requirements of your career of choice, before deciding on your educational path.
Once you have an understanding of your interests or potential career goals, you can start to research the requirements to get into – and to graduate from – a criminal justice degree program. Below, we delve into the two available criminal justice degree paths available at University of Bridgeport and learn what it takes to be admitted.
Criminal Justice Degree Admission Requirements
The admission requirements of criminal justice degree programs vary from school to school. Here are the admission requirements for University of Bridgeport.
Requirements for First Time Freshmen
First time college students are required to submit an Application for Admission through UB’s online application portal, or through the Common Application. Additionally, applicants must submit an official copy of all high school transcripts. Though students may submit SAT or ACT scores, these are entirely optional.
Requirements for Criminal Justice Transfer Students
University of Bridgeport prides itself on meeting students wherever they are on their academic journey. As such, UB’s transfer process is straightforward. Applicants will need to submit an application through the online application portal, or through the Common Application. Prospective students must also submit official college transcripts from every previously attended institute of higher education. Students must also submit proof of high school graduation (e.g. diploma or high school transcript).
The Criminal Justice and Human Security BA Requirements
The Criminal Justice and Human Security (CJHS) degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of criminal justice. For example, this degree may be of interest to those considering a career in the CIA, DEA, FBI, INS, ATF, and more. The CJHS program requires students to select a core area of concentration, which can prepare them for a highly skilled position in the career of their choice Students who complete this degree are capable of demonstrating oral and written critical thinking skills. They are able to clearly articulate the importance of human security. Among the criminal justice degree requirements is an intermediate language competency. Graduates are also able to exhibit foreign language skills and intercultural understanding. Additionally, students in the Criminal Justice and Human Security BA are prepared for graduate study, should they wish to pursue it.
Required Coursework
The CJHS degree requires students to complete a total of 120 credit hours in order to graduate. Of these credits, 39 semester credit hours must be major-specific, including 18 program core credits, 15 credit hours in a concentration area, and 6 credit hours in a diversity requirement. Students are also required to show language competency in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, French, or Spanish in order to graduate. This competency can be gained by taking four semesters of language coursework.
Core requirements for all Criminal Justice and Human Security majors include:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Human Security
- Criminology
- Research Methods
Students are also required to complete a senior thesis and internship.
As mentioned previously, students in this degree must choose from three areas of concentration: Criminology, Comparative Justice, Human Security.
Criminology
Students concentrating in Criminology must complete five out of the following courses:
- Sociology of Deviance
- Law Enforcement and Society
- Criminal Investigations
- Fraud Investigations
- Race and Ethnicity
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Globalization
- Victimology
Comparative Justice
Those interested in pursuing the Comparative Justice concentration area will have to take five out of the following classes:
- American Government
- Public International Law
- U.S. Legal System
- Criminal Justice Communications
- Judicial Process
- Constitutional Law
- Comparative Criminal Law
- Legal Advocacy
- Trial Skills
- Homeland Security and Terrorism
- Transnational Crime
Human Security
The Human Security concentration requires students to take five out of the following courses:
- U.S. Foreign Policy
- Government and Politics Abroad
- Political Economy of North-South Relations
- World Politics
- Introduction to United Nations Studies
- International Human Rights
- Cultural Anthropology
- Christian, Muslim, Jewish Relations
- Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
- Political Economy of China
- Political of the Middle East
- Homeland Security and Terrorism
- Globalization
Time Requirement
The Criminal Justice and Human Security degree is completed in-person, on a full-time basis. Students complete this course over a four-year period.
The Online Criminal Justice BS Degree Requirements
The online BS in Criminal Justice is an accelerated program that gives students both a broad and deep understanding of all aspects of the criminal justice system. Classes are taken in a 7-week accelerated online format and students have the opportunity to begin their program of study at any of the 6 start dates throughout the year. This degree is a wonderful choice for students interested in working in law enforcement, social services, customs, or criminology. Upon graduating, students will be prepared for a career (or graduate study) in criminal justice. Students are required to complete a total of 120 credits in order to graduate, 39 of which must be centered on the criminal justice major and related electives.
Required Coursework
In addition to general education credit requirements, students must complete program core courses, and electives. Core requirements for this degree are:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- American Government
- Human Security
- Sociology of Deviance
- Criminal Investigations
- U.S. Legal System
- Law Enforcement and Society
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Criminology
- Race and Ethnicity
- Research Methods
- Homeland Security and Terrorism
In addition, students are encouraged to pursue internships. Students in this degree pathway are qualified for internships at government agencies, law enforcement agencies, legal firms, non-profit organizations, United Nations organizations, and the CT State Police.
Time Requirement
The online criminal justice degree is ideal for students who wish to enter their career sooner rather than later. Classes are taken in an accelerated format, reducing the time it takes to complete this degree. Classes are taken online, making it possible for students to work towards their degree at a pace that fits their lifestyle and needs.
Whether you’re interested in joining your local police department or the FBI, earning your bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can set you on a path towards a successful career. While many positions in law enforcement don’t require a college degree, earning a bachelor’s degree can open up avenues for career advancement, higher salary, and increased responsibilities. Whatever your dream criminal justice career may be, University of Bridgeport is equipped to help you achieve it.
If you’re interested in University of Bridgeport’s criminal justice degree programs, ask for more information here!