Criminal Justice

The criminal justice major is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with an education in the liberal arts and sciences, with the ultimate goal of preparing students to be full participants in a democratic society and the world at large.

What kinds of careers could I pursue?

The criminal justice major is also designed to prepare students for lifelong learning, professional careers in the public and private sectors of the field of criminal justice (civil justice system, criminal justice system, law enforcement, prisons, probation, parole, counseling, police analysis, law and courts), and graduate study by fostering development of the ideas, insights, values, competencies, and behavior of liberally educated persons in the heritage of Thomas Jefferson. The content of the major focuses on social forces that contribute to social order, social conflict and social change. Issues involving race, gender, ethics and multiculturalism are emphasized throughout the major.

What courses do I need to take?

The major consists of 42 credit hours, including courses in criminal justice (juvenile delinquency, etc.), political science (public administration, etc.), sociology (race and ethnicity, etc.), and psychology (abnormal psychology, etc.). A related area of study in the disciplines of political science, sociology, or psychology is strongly recommended for those students who want to emphasize a particular area of the justice system.

The major in criminal justice consists of a total of 42 credits, including 24 credits of required core courses and 18 credits of elective courses.

Learn more about studying criminal justice at UVA Wise by consulting the College Catalog.

• Bachelor of Science in Social Science - Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Minor