Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science

"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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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

Spotlights

KELLY TEA ’15, ’17 M.S.

A role model can change your life

ERIC ST. AMAND ’15

It is truly amazing how much I have grown as a person.

AALIYAH GRASTY '21

It felt like home.

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 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.

Correction Rehabilitation and Supervision Concentration, B.S.

Crime Analysis Concentration, B.S.

Crime Victim Services Concentration, B.S.

Investigative Services Concentration, B.S.

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Concentration, B.S.

Police Science Concentration, B.S.

Criminal Justice Minor

Forensic Computer Investigation Certificate

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

Criminal Justice LLC

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Career Development

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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