Undergraduate

Criminal Justice

Explore a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system, including criminology, corrections, probation, parole, constitutional law, and advocacy.

2026

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Online

Courses

23*

Credit

120 hrs

Full-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits

Part-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits

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College of Professional Studies

The University of New Hampshire offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice that provides a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system, including criminology, corrections, probation, parole, constitutional law, and advocacy. Designed for both current professionals seeking advancement and newcomers to the field, the program emphasizes ethical decision-making and prepares students for various roles such as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, and crime analysts.

With the flexibility of online learning, this is an accessible and efficient pathway to a career in criminal justice.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

College of Professional Studies

What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is a large field focused on maintaining lawful behavior throughout communities, which involves many different roles and job types. This program is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in a wide variety of fields related to criminal justice, including roles such as: law enforcement officer, police detective, corrections officer, probation and parole officer, juvenile detective, school resource officer, military police, government facility security officer, crime victim advocate, child protection investigator, juvenile diversion specialist, and crime analyst.

Why study Criminal Justice at UNH College of Professional Studies?

The B.S. in Criminal Justice will help you grow your career in law enforcement or related fields. You’ll develop a working knowledge of criminology, the criminal justice system, corrections, probation, parole, constitutional law, and advocacy. You will also study the foundations of ethical decision making within the criminal justice system, which can help to prepare you to become a well-rounded professional in this field.

For current criminal justice professionals who are looking to complete their degree, an online B.S. in Criminal Justice will open the door for career advancement, as well as opportunities for other employment options upon retirement. This program is also an excellent refresher for seasoned professionals and can provide a steppingstone to graduate programs such as a Master’s in Public Administration or law school.

For those looking to enter the criminal justice field for the first time, this program will provide you with an essential foundation and boost your employment potential at law enforcement and government agencies. It also provides excellent preparation for those looking to attend a police or correctional academy.

Potential Career Areas

Child Protection
Corrections Officers
Court Advocates
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Emergency Management Directors
First-Line Supervisors
Juvenile Probation
Military Police
Police Administration
Police Identification and Records Officers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Probation and Parole Officers
School Resource Officer
Security Guards
Transit and Railroad Police

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

This program is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in the following fields related to Criminal Justice: law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, administration, domestic violence prevention, mental health, and other community-based programs that exist for victims, offenders, and their families.

Degree Plan

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
CRIM 410	Introduction to Criminology	4
CRIM 555	The Criminal Justice System	4
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510	Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus	4
POL 554	Law and Society	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIM 600	Crime Prevention and Control	4
MTH 504	Statistics	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
CRIM 645	Crime Victim Rights and Remedies	4
CRIM 680	Corrections, Probation and Parole	4
Criminal Justice Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 560	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences	4
Uppler Level Criminal Justice Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
CRIM 707	Constitutional Law	4
General Education Course		4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
CRIM 725	Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System	4
IDIS 601A or IDIS 601B or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
CRIM 797 or CRIM 795	Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice or Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	120

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program

Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.

*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.

A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
Select one of the following:		4
MTH 402	Math for Our World
MTH 504	Statistics
MTH 510	Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems		4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World		4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression		4
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 601A	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy	4
or IDIS 601B	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
Total Credits		40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major in Criminal Justice
Foundation courses
CRIM 410	Introduction to Criminology	4
CRIM 555	The Criminal Justice System	4
MTH 504	Statistics	4
POL 554	Law and Society	4
Intermediate Courses
CRIM 600	Crime Prevention and Control	4
CRIM 645	Crime Victim Rights and Remedies	4
IDIS 560	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences	4
Criminal Justice Elective
Select one of the following:		4
BEHS 445	Homeland Security and Emergency Management
or BEHS 675	Terrorism: Domestic and International
or CMPL 525	Foundations of Cybersecurity
or CRIM 425	Juvenile Justice
or DAT 510	Introduction to Data Analytics
or HMSV 424	Human Services and the Helping Process
or HRM 580	Change Management
or HRM 635	Managing Conflict
or MGMT 608	Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
or POL 450	American Government and Politics
or PSY 530	Social Psychology
or PSY 602	Theories of Personality
or PSY 603	Crisis Intervention
or PSY 646	Psychology of Occupational Stress
or PSY 654	Counseling Theories
or PSY 685	Principles of Psychopathology
or SOCI 601	Society and the Individual
or SOCI 675	Child Abuse and Neglect
or SOSC 445	Race & Diversity in the U.S.
or SOSC 680	Stress and the Family
or SOSC 710	Social Stratification and Inequality
Advanced Courses
CRIM 680	Corrections, Probation and Parole	4
CRIM 707	Constitutional Law	4
CRIM 725	Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System	4
Upper Level Criminal Justice Elective
Select one of the following:		4
BEHS 675	Terrorism: Domestic and International
or HRM 635	Managing Conflict
or MGMT 608	Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
or PSY 602	Theories of Personality
or PSY 603	Crisis Intervention
or PSY 646	Psychology of Occupational Stress
or PSY 654	Counseling Theories
or PSY 685	Principles of Psychopathology
or SOCI 601	Society and the Individual
or SOCI 675	Child Abuse and Neglect
or SOSC 680	Stress and the Family
or SOSC 710	Social Stratification and Inequality
Integrative Capstone
CRIM 795	Integrative Capstone: Internship in Criminal Justice	4
or CRIM 797	Integrative Capstone: Project in Criminal Justice
Total Credits		52

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Possess a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of the psychosocial, cultural, ethical, and political dimensions of criminal justice in contemporary society.
Demonstrate an ability to understand and apply ethical thinking and behavior as it relates to their work environment.
Use research methodology and interpret information as it applies to criminal justice.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, US and NH constitutional law, and advocacy.

Course Highlights

The Criminal Justice System
Crime Prevention and Control
Crime Victim Rights and Remedies
Corrections, Probation and Parole
Ethical Decision Making in the Criminal Justice System
Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
Statistics
Law and Society
…and more!

Key Benefits of UNH CPS Online

Advantages

100% online courses – Learn from anywhere with flexible scheduling.
8-week terms – Move toward your goals faster.
Affordable tuition – Among the lowest in New England and nationwide.
Nationally ranked – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
Regionally accredited – By the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
Generous transfer credit policy – About 89% of our students transfer in; we specialize in maximizing your previous college coursework and other college-level learning.
Credit for prior learning – Earn credit for relevant work experience, military training, and other learning outside the classroom.
Rolling admissions – Apply anytime and start in the term that works for you.
No GMAT or GRE required – Streamlined admissions process.
Expert faculty – Instructors are subject matter experts who share real-world experience to help you apply what you learn to your career goals.
Career advising for life – Available to all students, alumni, and even prospective students exploring their options.

Transfer Pathway

Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.

Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.

B.S. criminal justice CCSNH Transfer Pathway

Admissions Requirements

Completion of our free, online application for admission
High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC

Opportunities for Airmen

Finish Your Bachelor's Degree With the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)

The AU-ABC partnership between Air University and the UNH College of Professional Studies allows you to apply your CCAF Associate in Applied Science toward this online bachelor's degree. All CCAF degrees are transferable into this program.

Download Our Program Planning File

Credit for What you Know

Your Prior Learning Counts

Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.

Related Programs

Public Administration (B.S.)

Leadership (M.S.)

Criminal Justice, B.S. - CPS, CPSO