The program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and society's control mechanisms, as well as to prepare them for professional careers in criminal justice and related agencies. As a multidisciplinary field of study, criminal justice incorporates the substance and perspectives across the social sciences. The core requirements of the program expose students to all components (police, courts, corrections) of the criminal justice system where they will learn how these components interact with each other and the community to create the justice system experienced in the U.S. The department emphasizes experiential learning through both undergraduate research with faculty members and a strong internship program. An internship is a required component of the Criminal Justice, Professional Track.
Degree Requirements
Core
30 Total Credits
- Earn a minimum grade of C in each of the following:
- CJE3001 - Careers in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ3024 - Criminal Justice System (3)
- CCJ3014 - Crime in America (3)
- CJE4014 - Police and Society (3)
- CJL3510 - Prosecution and Adjudication (3)
- CJC3010 - Corrections and Penology (3)
- CCJ4701 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ4746 - Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ4678 - Race, Ethnicity, Equity, and (In)justice (3)
- CCJ4054 - Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics (3)
Restricted Electives
30 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 27 credits from the following types of courses: Upper division criminal justice (CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, CJL, CJT, DSC, or SCC) undergraduate coursework. Seniors must satisfy twelve (12) hours of this requirement through internships. Program standards must be met to be eligible for internships.
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Non-criminal justice supportive electives. These courses may vary from student to student depending upon individual needs or objectives. Students are responsible for the requirements of a second major or minor limiting overlapping credit hours between two or more programs.
Grand Total Credits: 60
Foreign Language Requirements
- Two years of one foreign language in high school, or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
Admissions
Graduation
- Students pursuing the B.A. degree must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to one year at college level. Proficiency equivalent to two semesters of college instruction in a foreign language or in American Sign Language (ASL). Standardized examinations for foreign languages may be used. The foreign language credits may be used toward the 9 hour supporting course requirement. ASL proficiency is met by successful completion of ASL 2140 and ASL 2150 or an appropriate score on the ASL proficiency exam. Contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/csd/) regarding the ASL proficiency examination.
Additional Requirements
Required Minors
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Students must take a minimum of 36 hours of upper-division CJ credit from the UCF Department of Criminal Justice to obtain the UCF degree in Criminal Justice.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 48 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Interested students should consult with a faculty advisor.
Related Programs
- Public Administration (B.A. or B.S.)
- Political Science, Prelaw Track (B.A.)
Certificates
- Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping Certificate
- Criminal Profiling Certificate
- Crime Scene Investigation Certificate
- Victim Advocacy Certificate
- Criminal Justice Management and Leadership Certificate
Related Minors
- Intelligence and National Security Minor
- Public Administration Minor
- Psychology Minor
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security Minor
Advising Notes
- Grades below a "C" (2.0) are not accepted in the core.
Transfer Notes
- Grades below a "C" (2.0) are not accepted in the core.
- Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
