Criminal Justice Major (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/criminal-justice

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.

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
Math for Our World
Statistics
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:

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
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Terrorism: Domestic and International
Foundations of Cybersecurity
Juvenile Justice
Introduction to Data Analytics
Human Services and the Helping Process
Change Management
Managing Conflict
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
American Government and Politics
Social Psychology
Theories of Personality
Crisis Intervention
Psychology of Occupational Stress
Counseling Theories
Principles of Psychopathology
Society and the Individual
Child Abuse and Neglect
Race & Diversity in the U.S.
Stress and the Family
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
Terrorism: Domestic and International
Managing Conflict
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
Theories of Personality
Crisis Intervention
Psychology of Occupational Stress
Counseling Theories
Principles of Psychopathology
Society and the Individual
Child Abuse and Neglect
Stress and the Family
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.

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
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
Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice
or Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice
4
Elective 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits120
  • 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.