B.S. in Criminal Justice

Are you looking for an exciting yet impactful profession? Have you been searching for a career path that will allow you to leave a positive mark on the world? If so, a degree in criminal justice is your ticket to achieving unique experiences, intellectual stimulation and amazing opportunities.

Criminal justice has a variety of branches you can choose from. Whether you prefer to investigate behind a desk or get out into the field, the possibilities are endless. Jobs in the criminal justice field are stable. Most graduates with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice are hired by the public sector (rather than the private sector), so they are not as likely to be affected by the ups and downs of the economy.  

You can find jobs at all levels of government – local, county, state and federal – as well as with private companies. You can work in a variety of settings, including judiciary and law, juvenile justice, customs and border protection, social services, teaching and research, drug enforcement, private and personal security, and corrections.

• Enforce laws to defend and protect people in their community 
• Carry out investigations, examine crime scenes, and interview witnesses to gather evidence  
• Manage offenders under correctional supervision in the community and secure facilities 
• Assist in emergency management coordination  
• Investigate and address threats to national security such as terrorism and human trafficking 
• Provide resources and support to victims of crime 
• Supervise criminal justice practitioners working in the criminal justice system 
• Provide private security and asset protection for commercial and retail establishments 
• Administer programs to prevent and reduce crime 

• Do you like to help others? 
• Are you an observant person who pays attention to details?  
• Do you enjoy solving puzzles? 
• Do you like to build relationships? 
• Are you looking for a stable job? 
• Do you enjoy intellectual challenges that require reasoning and critical thinking to find the solution? 

Then a degree in criminal justice is for you! 

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at KSU prepares students to understand and deal with diversity, justice, modernization and social change. Our graduates have the skills and knowledge to enter careers that require abilities in technology, communication, data gathering and analysis, applied research, community awareness and involvement, problem-solving, critical thinking, professional writing, and an understanding of the structure and functioning of groups and organizations.

As a criminal justice major at KSU, you will receive:  

• An in-depth study of the criminal justice system including police, courts, and corrections 
• An overview of criminology, which examines the cause of crime 
• Exposure to key issues in criminal justice such as technology, criminal investigations, juvenile justice, victimology, and terrorism. 
• Training on common ethical dilemmas that occur within law enforcement, the court system and the correctional system 
• A structured off-campus experience that is related to your major and career interests, so you have the experience necessary for success in your job search 

Our faculty bring both workplace best practices and academic expertise to your criminal justice studies classes at KSU. You can expect coursework that combines current theory with real-world applications.

The bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice program can be completed on-campus or fully online. The program offers classes in multiple different formats including face-to-face, fully online, and hybrid (a combination of face-to-face meeting and online work). The criminal justice program offers all required courses and most electives online so majors can complete their degree fully online from anywhere in the world. Each semester, students are welcome to enroll in any course format that best meets their preferences, lives, and schedules. This means that students can take courses fully online for their entire degree, or for just some semesters or courses.

• Local, state and federal law enforcement officer
• Criminal investigator
• Community correctional officer
• Victim advocate
• Corrections manager
• Emergency management coordinator
• Forensic accountant
• Private investigator 
• Fraud investigator 
• Loss prevention officer
• Courtroom Manager

To assist students in finding a job, KSU hosts a Student Career Portal offering a list of positions students getting a degree in criminal justice can consider.

Following are the courses you will take to get your degree in criminal justice, including options to customize your criminal justice studies to what interests you.

See the KSU Undergraduate Catalog for full information on courses and the credit hours necessary to graduate.

KSU Undergraduate Catalog 

 

Many courses taken at an accredited college or university can be transferred toward a degree in criminal justice. For information on transferability of credits, please check our  Transfer Articulation Search Engine. 

Transcripts should be submitted to KSU directly from the institution you attended. Allow ample time for receipt and processing of all documents. Processing time varies based on the number of applicants and the time of year. 

Find out more information on transferring to KSU at KSU Admissions.  

Kennesaw State University is an affordable school and gives you a quality education at a tuition rate that is lower than the average college in Georgia and in the United States. Learn more about current tuition rates. 

Financial aid for a degree in criminal justice is available through a variety of grants, scholarships, loans and a work study program. Applying for financial aid isn't as complex as you might imagine. For step-by-step resources, visit the Office of Financial Aid website. Start the process by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available October 1st for the following fall term. (You do not have to wait until you are admitted to file a FAFSA.) 

Contact KSU's Office of Financial Aid at (770) 423-6074 or finaid@kennesaw.edu with any questions on financial aid options. 

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice provides all students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an opportunity to earn internship class credit. A criminal justice internship is a valuable form of “learning by doing.” Internships can help you in many important ways.  

What are the benefits of an internship? 

• Explore a career area before graduation 
• Apply technical criminal justice knowledge learned in the classroom to workplace situations 
• Network with professionals in criminal justice as contacts for future job seeking 
• Bolster your academic learning with professional workplace experience 
• Enrich your resume  

Students have had criminal justice internships in the past at sites such as: 

• Local Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices  
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation 
• Federal Law Enforcement Agencies such the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 
• Local District Attorney’s Offices 
• Georgia Department of Community Supervision 
• Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection  
• Local Defense Attorney’s Offices 
• Private Security Firms 

Students in the criminal justice program can join Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society which is open to all criminal justice majors. They can also take advantage of the over 400 student clubs, covering a wide range of interests and activities that exist at KSU. Find one that interests you at Owl Life.

Many of the classes in the Criminal Justice program will introduce you to research in criminal justice and criminology. Students will learn first-hand how research is conducted in the field during the required course, CRJU 3301: Research Methods in Criminal Justice.

Students may also pursue independent research under the supervision of a faculty member that can be used to help prepare students for careers in criminal justice or further education in graduate and/or law school. Independent research with faculty may also be used for upper-division course credit (CRJU 4400: Directed Study in Criminal Justice).

There are also opportunities to engage in undergraduate research through Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society and present research at local and national criminal justice conferences.

We are delighted that you are considering applying to the criminal justice program at Kennesaw State! You can apply easily online. If you have any questions, please contact admissions via phone at (770) 423-6300 or email at KSUadmit@kennesaw.edu, and they’ll be happy to help. 

Application Deadlines 

• Fall Semester: June 1 
• Spring Semester: December 1 
• Summer Semester: June 1 

You will receive a decision notification via email. (Ask admissions) During peak application periods, it may take longer than expected to receive a decision notification. After submitting your application, you can click here to check your status online.

We are happy to answer any further questions you have about getting your criminal justice degree. Contact the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at scjdeptksu@kennesaw.edu or (470) 578-6739.