Bachelor of Science In Criminal Justice

"My dad worked in the criminal justice field for 25 years, and I became interested in this work because of him," says Casey Moore '22. "I wanted to pursue my degree at the University of New Haven because the program is well known. Once I got to campus, I knew this was the school for me."

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Investigate your crime-solving potential

As a criminal justice major at the University of New Haven, you’ll join one of the nation’s most established and diversified criminal justice programs. It’s a program that allows you to customize a major that fuses your interests with pragmatic, sought-after learning opportunities that will lead you to a successful and fulfilling career in this challenging and rewarding field.

You will gain an acute understanding of crime-solving and public safety issues as you learn to not only navigate the intricate fields of criminal justice but also shape the future of our justice system.

Concentrate on What Interests You

Supplement the knowledge you gain in your core criminal justice classes by specializing in an area you are most passionate about.

Correctional Rehabilitation and Supervision

Emphasizes law, social and behavioral sciences, and research methodology and prepares you for careers with federal, state, and local correctional agencies and institutions.

Crime Analysis

Focuses on the application of advanced computer and geographical information systems (GIS) in the collection and analysis of crime data.

Crime Victim Services

Prepares graduates for entry into a wide variety of positions in law enforcement, criminal justice, the courts, corrections, and victim services programs as well as professional settings involving work with victims of crime, their families, and the community at large.

Investigative Services

An interdisciplinary program geared toward enhancing the scientific knowledge of those students seeking investigative positions in various enforcement agencies, the curriculum emphasizes law enforcement, evidence, and forensic science.

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Prepares service providers with knowledge of law and of social and behavioral sciences, as well as communication skills with children, adolescents, and people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Police Science

The curriculum focuses on the roles, activities, and behaviors of people with regard to maintaining law and order, providing needed services, protecting life and property, and planning and research.

In addition, you’ll:
  • Develop skills that will help you more quickly solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice
  • Understand the psychology behind the criminal mindset
  • Study in up-to-the-minute facilities and labs housing technologies that are more advanced than the ones found in most police agencies across the country
  • Translate classroom theory into practice through unprecedented internships and co-op opportunities in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and more
  • Be part of a prestigious alumni network known for its career support and student involvement
Awards



College Factual’s data-driven rankings are based on outcomes — such as graduation and retention rates and early and mid-career earnings of graduates — instead of subjective opinions garnered through insider surveys. In addition, all colleges are ranked, not just the top 100.

College Factual has ranked the University of New Haven #1 in the country out of more than 400 colleges and universities offering homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting majors and #1 in the state and #18 in the country for criminal justice and corrections degrees.

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Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

  • Our vision is to be the premier student-centered criminal justice program in the United States, with a national and international reputation for academic excellence, research advancements, and service to the community.

    In fulfilling this vision, we seek to:

    • PPrepare future professionals who will support a fair and just system
    • Contribute to and lead justice system improvement efforts
    • Cultivate a safe, healthy, and inclusive society
    • Stand as a regional and national leader in our discipline

  • Our mission is to provide comprehensive and rigorous educational opportunities to inspired students who are taught and mentored by talented and dedicated faculty. In fulfilling this mission, we strive to create and maintain:

    • A culture of collegiality and collaboration, with clear and consistent communication
    • A commitment to promoting diversity and exposing issues of social injustice
    • Substantial opportunities for experiential learning, student engagement, networking, and contributions to the broader community
    • An emphasis on academic integrity and professional development for students, faculty, and staff
    • Support and recognition of faculty teaching, research, and service
    • Evidence of success and national prominence within our discipline
    • Professionalism: In preparing future justice professionals, we must model a high standard of behavior. This includes civility, collegiality, dependability, accountability, and integrity.
    • Compassion: We will practice and convey empathy, tolerance, responsiveness, and service to others in our university and the broader community. In doing so, we embrace diversity and being mindful of individual and community needs beyond our own.
    • Commitment: We are committed to the success of our students, colleagues, department, and university, which requires adequate facilities, resources, and administrative services. Helping others succeed and celebrating our collective achievements enhances the value and satisfaction attained through our work.
    • Respectful Discourse: Every person, regardless of status, role, or point of view, is entitled to respect. Our environment must be a safe and welcoming place for thoughtful and critical discourse, to advance the educational journey of our students and the professional development of our colleagues.
    • Adaptability: We strive to respond efficiently to challenges, opportunities, and adversity, through evidence-based change and improvement efforts. This includes using existing data and resources, along with being open to new ideas and options that contribute to a culture of learning and enhancing success.
    • Collaboration: We encourage collaboration within our college, across the university, and in the broader community, to ensure student access to a full range of experiential learning and employment opportunities. Faculty and staff must work together effectively to create a culture of shared responsibility, mutual understanding, community partnerships, and cooperative success.
Spotlights

Uses Hatfield Scholarship to Pursue Crime Prevention and Federal Law Enforcement Career

Longtime Professor, Advocate Receives Prestigious Award for Work on Behalf of LGBTQ+ Community

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Explores Looting Risk Factors at Egyptian Archaeological Sites.

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$80K

First-Line Supervisor

6% Growth 2017-2027

$66K

Police Officer

6% Growth 2017-2027

$63K

Claims Adjuster

6% Growth 2017-2027

Selected Courses and Programs
Charger Advantage

Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Next Steps
  • Admission Requirements

    Whether you're still in high school or are transferring from another college, we offer full- and part-time opportunities for undergraduates from inside the U.S. and abroad. The admission process can begin as early as the end of your high school junior year.

    The Application Process

  • Financial Aid Opportunities

    We offer a comprehensive financial aid program, with students receiving assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. Funds are available from federal and state governments, private sponsors, and from university resources. More than 85 percent of the University's full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.

    Learn More

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