If you’re driven to serve your community through enforcing the law, helping people within the justice system or performing investigative work, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology (CJC) at the University of Central Missouri is right for you.
You’ll obtain key knowledge and learn field techniques from accessible, expert faculty who are leaders in their fields and passionately focused on helping you achieve your academic and professional goals.
A powerful education delivered how you need it through online and hybrid options
Whether you’re a working adult with family responsibilities or a student right out of high school who’s living on campus, you’ll find a course delivery method that helps you earn your Criminal Justice and Criminology bachelor’s degree your way. You can choose to move through the program at your own pace by opting for either 8- or 16-week classes. We also offer a fully online Criminal Justice degree alongside our on-campus program in Warrensburg, Missouri. These options help you get your education when and where it’s convenient for you — and faculty are always available to help guide and encourage you along the way.
What you will study
In addition to gaining the basic skills and knowledge needed in criminal justice careers, you’ll have the opportunity to self-focus and hone your strengths in certain areas based on your goals.
All in-person and online Criminal Justice degree majors will take core classes such as Introduction to Criminal Justice; Policing a Democratic Society; Criminal Law and Procedure; and Crime, Justice and Social Diversity; among others. You’ll then round out your bachelor’s degree with electives that you can concentrate in areas such as juvenile justice, law enforcement and policing or legal studies. In fact, our students consistently list our wide selection of undergraduate electives as one of the reasons why bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Criminology degrees from the University of Central Missouri are the best. Electives you can choose from include:
Evidence and Courtroom Procedure
Federal Law Enforcement
Homicide Investigation
Miscarriages of Justice
Terrorism
Discover the criminal justice and criminology focus that’s right for you
Our goal is to make sure you get the education you need to fully realize your passions. When you pursue a Criminal Justice and Criminology BS at UCM, you will learn from faculty who are invested in helping you grow personally and professionally. Throughout the program, faculty are accessible to you and eager to help you succeed. In addition to providing detailed course instruction, they will be by your side on field trips, with you in your student groups and sit down with you to mentor you outside of the classroom.
What can you do with degrees in Criminal Justice and Criminology?
Through focused coursework and learning opportunities outside the classroom, your bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Criminology will prepare you for a career serving your community. You’ll be ready to excel in jobs that involve policing and enforcing the law, investigating fraud and abuse and helping people in the criminal justice system through youth programs and legal aid.
In addition to finding employment in county sheriffs’ offices, federal and local law enforcement agencies, police departments, law practices and insurance companies, graduates have found rewarding careers in security operations, investigations analysis, victim services.
You can also pursue graduate school or a professional degree if you’re interested in practicing law, teaching or going into a research field.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
1 March 2025
Start date
May 2025
University of Central Missouri
Ward Edwards Building,
108 W. South St.,
WARRENSBURG,
Missouri,
64093, United States
Students must have a 2.0 high school GPA or above to be admissible. If the applicant has taken undergraduate coursework the cumulative GPA of the undergraduate coursework must be a 2.0 or higher to be admissible.
Accepted English Proficiency Exams:
TOEFL exam score of 61 IBT
IELTS exam score of 5.5
Duolingo composite exam score of 95
UCM Proficiency Test of 61
Cambridge C1/B2 exam score of 162
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCM ensures that it provides outstanding facilities and support so that all students can achieve their maximum potential.