Help ensure that justice is served – ethically, responsibly, and consistently.

The bachelor's degree in criminal justice at University of the Cumberlands provides a solid foundation in understanding the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and appropriate responses to deviant behavior. Through a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, you will be well prepared to become an ethical and effective professional in the field of criminal justice. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, corrections, or other related areas, our program equips you with the necessary tools for success.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

There’s more to law enforcement than just catching the bad guy. If your interests lie in the fields of corrections and justice, you may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to explore all your career options in this area. The expert faculty in University of the Cumberlands' criminal justice program will guide you on an educational path toward professional success. This bachelor’s degree will teach you what you need to make sure that justice is served – ethically, responsibly, and consistently.

Course Requirements

CRJS 131 Introduction to Criminal Justice 

CRJS 233 Corrections 

CRJS 234 Policing 

CRJS 331 Deviance and Society 

CRJS 334 Society and Criminal Law 

CRJS 338 Homeland Society 

CRJS 431 Criminology 

CRJS 434 Ethics in Criminal Justice 

SOCI 131 Introduction to Sociology

Complete 9 credit hours from the list of options:

CRJS 235 Police Patrol

CRJS 236 Probation and Parole 

CRJS 336 Criminal Investigation 

CRJS 337 White Collar Crime 

CRJS 401 Child Abuse Investigation 

CRJS 432 Criminal Victimization 

CRJS 433 Juvenile Justice 

CRJS 435 Death Investigation 

CRJS 439 Internship and Seminar*

CRJS 490 Special Topics in Criminal Justice* 

*With permission of the Department Chair, CRJS 439 and CRJS 490 may be taken twice  

Transfer Credit

Officers who have successfully completed the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice’s Basic Training course (DOCJT) or similar programs from other states are able to receive up to 15 credit hours as Transfer Credit toward completing a Criminal Justice Degree at UC. The academy graduate must currently be employed by a law enforcement agency and be in good standing with their agency. The Officer must first enroll and be accepted as a student in the UC Criminal Justice Degree Program. The Officer must be able to present documentation from the DOCJT verifying graduation and must submit a copy of their Peace Officers Professional Standards Certification. The officer must submit a letter of recommendation from a supervisor within the officer’s department. With appropriate documentation, transfer credits will replace the following courses: 

 

CRJS 131 Introduction to Criminal Justice 

CRJS 234 Policing 

CRJS 235 Police Parole 

CRJS 334 Society and Criminal Law 

CRJS 439 Internship and Seminar 

To receive a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online, course requirements are as follows:

Core Courses (27 hours) 

SOCI 131 Intro to Sociology  

CRJS131 Intro to Criminal Justice  

CRJS 233 Corrections  

CRJS 234 Policing  

CRJS 331 Deviance and Society  

CRJS 334 Society and Criminal Law  

CRJS 338 Homeland Security  

CRJS 431 Criminology  

CRJS 434 Ethics in Criminal Justice  

 

Choose a concentration:

Law Enforcement Management  

Criminal Profiling  

Forensics  

Chaplain / Prison Ministries  

  

Electives (9 hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the following options:

CRJS 235 Police Patrol  

CRJS 236 Probation and Parole  

CRJS 336 Criminal Investigation  

CRJS 337 White Collar Crime  

CRJS 432 Criminal Victimization   

CRJS 433 Juvenile Justice  

CRJS 435 Death Investigation  

CRJS 439 Internship*  

CRJS 490 Special Topics in Criminal Justice*  

HSRV 404 Understanding Child Maltreatment  

*With permission of the Department Chair, these classes may be taken twice. 

A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.

Choose one foreign language sequence:

FREN 131        Elementary French I

FREN 132        Elementary French II

FREN 231        Intermediate French I

FREN 232        Intermediate French II

 

SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I

SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II

SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I

SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

Similar to an Associate of Applied Science degree program, our Associate of Science in criminal justice prepares you for immediate work within the criminal justice field. Learn the basics you need, finish your degree quickly, and step into a career in criminal justice, ready for whatever comes.

Course Requirements

Complete 18 credit hours as follows:

CRJS 131 Introduction to Criminal Justice  

CRJS 233 Corrections  

CRJS 234 Policing  

CRJS 235 Police Parole  

CRJS 236 Probation and Parole  

SOCI 131 Introduction to Sociology 

Minor in Criminal Justice

You don’t have to major in criminal justice in order to help make sure justice is served in the world. Learn the basics of the criminal justice field through a minor at University of the Cumberlands. Understanding more about corrections and justice will come in handy in many ways throughout your life, and it may benefit the lives of those around you as well.  

Course Requirements

CRJS 131     Introduction to Criminal Justice   

CRJS 233     Corrections   

CRJS 234     Policing   

CRJS 334     Society and Criminal Law   

CRJS 338     Homeland Security   

CRJS 431     Criminology   

Choose two courses from the following options:

CRJS 235    Police Patrol  

CRJS 236    Probation and Parole  

CRJS 331    Deviance and Society   

CRJS 336    Criminal Investigation   

CRJS 433    Juvenile Justice   

CRJS 434    Ethics in Criminal Justice   

CRJS 439    Internship and Seminar   

CRJS 490    Special Topics in Criminal Justice  

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice at Cumberlands is to provide an understanding of the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and how to respond appropriately to deviant behavior.

Gain a core knowledge base in criminal justice.
Build your leadership and research skills, preparing you for graduate studies.
Develop an appreciation for the diversity of humanity and how cultural factors impact the criminal justice system.
Strengthen your critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
Cultivate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Criminal Justice Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Police & Detectives: $66,020

Police & Detectives: $66,020

Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions. 

Private Investigator: $59,380

Private Investigator: $59,380

Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters.

Forensic Science Technician: $61,930

Forensic Science Technician: $61,930

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. 

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.

Mediator: $49,410

Mediator: $49,410

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

A criminal justice degree program helps you develop leadership, research, and writing skills while strengthening your critical-thinking skills. The required courses give you the knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of criminal justice career choices. Upon completing your bachelor’s in criminal justice, you will be prepared to pursue graduate studies or enter the field of criminal justice as an ethical, effective professional. 

Yes, because it teaches you the roles of society and law enforcement and how these two entities interact and respond to unacceptable behavior. The kind of knowledge and skills you develop through a criminal justice degree program at Cumberlands will give you an advantage in many different careers, as all industries prize capable, understanding, and problem-solving individuals. 

There are many paths you can take with a bachelor’s in criminal justice under your belt. From protective services, to forensic analysis, to legal work, and even teaching criminal justice content to students in high school or college, you will be prepared for a wide range of career options upon completing a criminal justice bachelor’s degree. 

Some people want to have a basic knowledge of the criminal justice system without diving too deeply into the field as a college major. At University of the Cumberlands, we offer a minor in criminal justice so that you don’t have to commit to a full major, but you still learn all the essentials about the justice system and how it interacts with society. 

University of the Cumberlands is proud to support members and families of the Fraternal Order of Police. We have partnered with the National FOP University to offer members and their families exceptional academic programs that are structured to be some of the most affordable in the nation. FOP members can also apply to University of the Cumberlands free of charge. 

Our criminal justice bachelor's degree program does provide the essential knowledge and skills to become a successful police officer, but there are many more jobs in the field than solely police work. You may pursue a career as a detective, paralegal, mediator, or any number of other positions in the field. No matter your future career, the knowledge and skills you'll gain through a criminal justice degree will benefit you throughout your life.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Criminal Justice

You don't have to be a detective to learn more about our criminal justice professors. Discover more about them right here!

Melissa Bundy

Melissa Bundy

Assistant Professor
Criminal Justice

Melissa Bundy

Contact Information

melissa.bundy [at] ucumberlands.edu
Faulkner Building
Dr. Harry Webster

Dr. Harry Webster

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice

Dr. Harry Webster

Contact Information

harry.webster [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Elizabeth S. Marsal

Dr. Elizabeth S. Marsal

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice
Master in Criminal Justice

Dr. Elizabeth S. Marsal

Contact Information

elizabeth.marsal [at] ucumberlands.edu

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