| |
Jun 07, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027
Criminal Justice (BA)
|
|
 Return to: Programs
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice is intended to provide students with a critical understanding of the nature and causes of crime and delinquency, the origins and meaning of law and social control (with emphasis on criminal law), the nature of the criminal justice system and the processing of cases through that system, and proposals for reducing crime and delinquency. The program is designed to broadly educate students, to prepare students for careers in various criminal justice settings, and to pursue graduate education.
Please see the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, Department of Criminal Justice web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.
Career Possibilities
Individuals with a Criminal Justice background have a wide range of career opportunities.
Law Enforcement
- Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, Immigration, Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal, etc.)
- State of Local Police Officer
- Park Ranger
|
- Private Security
- Private Investigator
- Campus Police Officer
- Military Officer
- Cooperate Loss Manager
|
Investigation
- Arson Investigator
- Gaming Investigator
- IRS Special Agent
|
|
Courts
- Attorney
- Law Clerk
- Paralegal
- Court Administrator
|
- Pre-Trial Services Officer
- Forensic Psychologist
- Drug Court Coordinator
- Crime Scene Investigator
|
Corrections
- Correctional Officer
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Warden
|
- Parole Officer
- Juvenile Detention Officer
|
Technical Support and Analysis
- Crime Analyst
- Forensic Technician
- Ballistics Expert
|
Social Services
- Social Worker
- Youth Advocate
- Victim Advocate
- Teacher
|
|
Modality: Fully Online, Fully In-Person, or Blended
This Program is available Fully Online, Fully In-Person, or Blended. Students may select their preferred modality at the time of admission. Those who choose the fully online option are committing to complete their entire degree through online education and will be identified as fully online students in MyUNLV. If circumstances or preferences change after admission, students may request a change in modality through the official change of major process. Academic advisors are available to help students select the format that best supports their academic and personal goals and can assist with any changes needed. Criminal Justice (BA) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits
(see note 1 below) Recommended Courses That Meet General Education Core Requirements
The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs strongly recommends that students address their General Education Core curriculum requirements through our college. The following classes offered in our college meet graduation requirements. Life and Physical Science
General Education Requirements - Subtotal 37-47 Credits
First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3
English Composition - Credits: 6
Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
Constitutions - Credits: 4-6
Mathematics - Credits: 3
or higher Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9
- Two courses 3 credits each from two different humanities areas - 6 credits
- One course in fine arts - 3 credits
Social Science - Credits: 0
Automatically satisfied by Major requirements Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 10-11
- Two courses from life and physical sciences category; at least one must have a lab
- Analytical Thinking 3 credit course
Multicultural and International - Credits: 0-6
- Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
- International, one 3 credit course required
These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. List of approved Multicultural and International courses. Major Requirements - BA in Criminal Justice - Credits: 27
At least one course from each of the following three major content areas. (see notes 3 and 4 below) Criminal Justice Major Requirement - Credits: 18
Nature of Crime Content Area - 3 credits
Criminal Justice Organizations and Administration Content Area - 3 credits
Law and Society Content Area - 3 credits
CRJ Electives - Credits: 21
Nine credits must be upper division Related Areas - Credits: 18
Students must consult the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Student Advising Center for a list of acceptable courses that meet this requirement. General Electives - Credits: 7-17
(see note 2 and 4 below) Notes
- A student may elect to graduate under any one of the following catalogs: the year of admission, the year of graduation, or the year of the latest change of major. The catalog used cannot be more than ten years old at the time of graduation. Requirements for graduation may vary depending on the catalog one uses. If you have questions, consult your advisor.
- All criminal justice majors must take a total of at least 42 credits in upper-division (300-400 level) courses, including 27 credits in upper-division criminal justice courses, and at least six successfully completed credits of Other Electives.
- Criminal justice majors are required to complete a total of 48 credits in criminal justice. (Of this total, 27 hours must be in upper-division courses.)
- A maximum of four (4) credits of PEX activity courses may apply to the Criminal Justice B.A. degree.
- CRJ 301 is a Milestone Experience course for Criminal Justice B.A.
- CRJ 498 is a Culminating Experience course for Criminal Justice B.A.
|
Return to: Programs
|
|