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
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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
  • Vision Statement

    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:

    • Prepare 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
  • Mission Statement

    Our mission is to provide comprehensive 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, and contributions to the broader community
    • An emphasis on 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
  • Values
    • 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. 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, and cooperative success.
Spotlights
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
  • Police and Crime Control

    This course explores the changing role, perspectives, and operational strategies of policing as they relate to the crime control function of the police. The focus will be on innovative, promising, emerging, or "futuristic" and often highly controversial police practices, programs, and approaches to law enforcement. In addition, the course will focus on selective community crime prevention efforts undertaken in conjunction with, under the auspices of, or independently of the police department. Special attention will be devoted to police brutality and the use of deadly force and its consequences, including high-speed police pursuits.

  • White-Collar Crime Investigation

    In this advanced course, students will focus on the history, philosophy, evolution, and types of white-collar crimes. This course will examine the various types of white-collar offenses and explore how and why such crimes are committed. The course will also explore the various laws used to combat such offenses and consider the investigative techniques used to identify those engaged in such activity. In addition, the course will explore the profile of the modern white-collar offender and the roles of the various federal law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating white-collar crime.

  • Homeland Security and Terrorism

    This course is designed to familiarize students with the concept of homeland security from administrative, organizational, historical, and critical perspectives. The course will be taught in a critical-thinking context rather than a training context. Specific emphasis will be placed on homeland security as a public safety paradigm and the implications of this paradigm on government agencies at the state and local level, overall national security, and public perception/opinion. A key component of this course is the presentation, analysis, and discussion of critical issues in homeland security. This is also an advanced course designed to familiarize students with the history and evolution of terrorism, the key concepts and theories of terrorism, the roles and responsibilities of counterterrorism agencies in the U.S., and the critical issues and controversies of the current "War on Terrorism."

  • Death Investigation

    This course is an in-depth study of the principles and techniques associated with investigating homicides, suicides, and accidental, natural, or equivocal deaths. While considering the sociological, psychological, and legal aspects typically found in these cases, the process will take the student from the scene to the court – either criminal or civil.

  • Full List of Courses and Learning Outcomes for Criminal Justice

    The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Associate in Science, Bachelor of Science, or Certificate in Criminal Justice, check out the Academic Catalog:

    Criminal Justice, A.S.

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Correctional Rehabilitation and Supervision Concentration

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Crime Analysis Concentration

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Crime Victim Services Concentration

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Investigative Services Concentration

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Concentration

    Criminal Justice, B.S. - Police Science Concentration

    Criminal Justice Minor

    Information Protection and Security Certificate

    Victim Services Administration Certificate

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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Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 26

Various Dates

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.

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