Criminal Justice Program
Criminal justice student Amanda Rice ensures campus safety as an IUPUI Police cadet officer.
Are you a student who:
- is interested in the criminal justice system or law,
- wants a rewarding career that involves helping others, and/or
- enjoys working and interacting with people?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above statements, the criminal justice major is a good option for you.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree will give you a broad and layered understanding of the history, operations, and implications of criminal justice in America. You will be trained to address pressing societal needs related to law enforcement, the judicial system, corrections, and national security. You also will acquire the background needed to pursue a graduate degree in law or criminal justice.
As a criminal justice major, you will be immersed in classes in research methods, criminological theory and policy, criminal law, courts, corrections, and policing. You may also study cutting-edge topics such as homicide, terrorism, juvenile justice, and cybercrime.
To see a complete list of requirements for the criminal justice major, view the Criminal Justice Checksheet.
Criminal Justice Careers
The criminal justice major will prepare you for a variety of occupations within law enforcement, corrections, and the government including, but not limited to:
- Probation Officer
- Parole Officer
- Juvenile/Adult Correctional Officer
- Court Administrator
- Law Office Administrator
- Police Officer/Detective
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Private Security Officer/Private Investigation
- Crime Scene/Lab Technician
- Victim's Assistance and Advocacy
- Criminal Justice Data and Records Management
- Federal Law Enforcement (FBI, DEA, Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals, ATF)
Credit for Law Enforcement Training
Sworn full-time police officers who have graduated from any of the five law enforcement academies in Indiana are eligible for 12 undergraduate credit hours from SPEA IUPUI. You can apply these credits towards any of SPEA's undergraduate degree programs. The course credit is for Criminal Law SPEA-J 301, Criminal Investigations SPEA-J 320, and six hours of Internship in Criminal Justice SPEA-J 380. For more information contact the SPEA Recorder at 317-274-4656. Download an application for credit.