Justice Studies, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Justice Studies

Explore critical topics ranging from racial justice and immigration law to cybercrime and counterterrorism, drawing on insights from social sciences, humanities and education.
2026
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
Four students sitting around a laptop in class

Justice Studies

The Justice Studies minor at UNH offers an interdisciplinary and flexible approach to understanding complex justice systems across various professional fields. Here you'll explore critical topics ranging from racial justice and immigration law to cybercrime and counterterrorism, drawing on insights from social sciences, humanities and education. 

This minor enhances your career prospects by providing a fundamental understanding of legal systems in the U.S. and abroad, making you a competitive candidate in sectors like business, government, nonprofit administration and social services. With opportunities to research, study abroad in Budapest and participate in the Mock Trial Program, you'll develop critical thinking and analytical skills that distinguish you in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Justice Studies program

Contact Cards

Associate Professor
Horton Social Science Center, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-1780
Academic Coordinator
Hamilton Smith Hall, Room 230b, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-1716

What is justice studies?

Whether you’re interested in working in law enforcement, the legal system, politics, social services, education or the humanities, the justice studies minor will give you a fundamental understanding of justice and legal systems in the U.S. and abroad. You’ll draw on disciplines such as social sciences, humanities and education while examining topics that range from racial justice and immigration law to juvenile delinquency, intimate partner violence, cybercrime and counterterrorism. The minor will enhance your career prospects in a range of fields, including business, academia, government and nongovernmental organizations.

Why study justice studies at UNH?

As a justice studies student at UNH, you’ll have exceptional opportunities to take your learning beyond the classroom. The program offers a study abroad program in Budapest, through which students learn about European justice systems. A major public research university, UNH also encourages students to engage in research projects with faculty through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to hone your debating skills through the UNH Mock Trial Program.

Potential career areas

  • Business
  • Community organization
  • Human rights advocacy
  • Law
  • Law enforcement
  • Nonprofit administration

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The justice studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that blends topics from humanities departments (e.g., philosophy), social science departments (e.g., psychology, sociology, women's and gender studies), departments that include both humanities and social science faculty (history, political science) and professionally oriented departments (education, family studies, social work). Topics studied include courts, family violence, rights, substance abuse, juvenile justice, school law, children as witnesses, hate crimes and community policing.

02
Requirements for the Program
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The Minor in Justice Studies requires students to take a total of five courses (20 credits), each with a grade of C- or better, in order to complete the program. Students are allowed to "double count" no more than two courses toward their major and minor, and are not allowed to take more than two courses from any one department (except for Justice Studies).In order to officially declare the Minor in Justice Studies, students will need to submit an intent to minor form to Deb Briand in the Justice Studies Office. This form can be found on our website.

Academic policies related to Minors.

Required Courses
JUST 401Introduction to Justice Studies4
Select one of the following:4
POLT 507
Politics of Crime and Justice
POLT 508
Supreme Court and the Constitution
SOC 515
Introductory Criminology
Elective Courses
Select three elective courses from the justice studies approved course list 112
Total Credits20
1

This list is approved and published yearly by the Justice Studies Executive Committee. Departmental offerings that are currently accepted for the minor are listed on the Justice Studies major page.

For program information on the Forensics Minor, see the Forensics Minor program page.