Estimated Completion
120 credit hours (4 years)
Application Process
Cost
Locations Available
- 1Program in RELLIS - Bryan is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
- 2Admission to the off-campus locations such as Fort Worth, Midlothian, Waco, and Online requires a minimum of 30 transferable credit hours, a 2.0 GPA and that a student be TSI complete.
School
Department
B.S. in Criminal Justice
Overview
This degree is designed to merge academic knowledge with applied experience. The program offers courses encompassing a variety of components that prepare students for career entry, promotion, federal employment, and/or graduate study. In addition to the high academic credentials of our faculty, many have work experience as police officers, correctional staff, and years of practice with criminal law. Sharing classroom time with faculty can integrate the textbook material with professional practice, as well as provide valuable insight into the justice system that is not offered to students at many universities.
Jump Right In
Our program's structure will provide you with the opportunity for interaction with other students and professionals with the same interests. Ultimately, the entire Criminal Justice Field offers many employment opportunities and job security.
Designed With You in Mind
Our highly experienced faculty incorporate a curriculum that has been designed to provide you with a quality education. The Criminal Justice program offers online, hybrid, and face-to-face course options to better fit your schedule. The department also helps you with the placement of internships in the area of your interest.
Accreditations
Related Programs
Not what you were looking for? Tarleton State University offers over 100 different degrees and certifications that may be of interest to you, including:
Plan Your Future
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice can lead to career options such as:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Law enforcement officer
- Private investigator
- Correctional officer
- Forensics investigator
Real Experience
In addition, the Criminal Justice program offers internships with:
- Tarleton State University Police
- Erath County Sheriff's Office
- Granbury Police Department
- Stephenville Police Department
- Juvenile Probation
Career Services
Career Services offers students a wide variety of professional development opportunities that can translate into careers. A few of these programs include:
- Career counseling and My Plan
- Hire A Texan - Online Job Board
- Mock interviews
- Resume assistance
- Texan Shadow
And many more!
Program Objectives
- Expand the students’ knowledge of criminal justice,
- Provide students with a broad-based education, and
- Provide students with the skills and knowledge require to successfully navigate the competitive process to advance within career opportunities.
Coursework Highlights
| Class | Number | Class Name |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ | 1306 | Court Systems and Practices |
| CRIJ | 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices |
| CRIJ | 2335 | Criminal Investigation |
| CRIJ | 3300 | Juvenile Delinquency |
| CRIJ | 3311 | Techniques of Interviewing |
| CRIJ | 4301 | Gender, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System |
| CRIJ | 4303 | Crime, Justice, and Social Diversity |
| CRIJ | 4325 | Advanced Investigation |
For more information on courses, please refer to the university catalog.
Facilities and Features
Study Abroad
Study abroad opportunities allow students to gain first-hand knowledge of a variety of criminal justice systems and issues from a global perspective. This experience provides students greater insight to our own criminal justice system through comparative viewpoint. The most recent study abroad trips in Criminal Justice have been to Scotland and Prague.
Student Organizations
The Criminal Justice program at Tarleton State University offers organizations to get students involved, such as:
- Criminal Justice Association
- Alpha Phi Sigma
- Pre-Law Association
Texan Corps of Cadets
The Texan Corps of Cadets are instilled with values that are essential for the service of our nation, and are exceptionally qualified to succeed in several areas of business, government, and the military. Corps members can benefit from scholarships, corporate internships, and graduation reward opportunities, as well as with the option to minor in Leadership Studies.