UMS's BS in Criminal Justice emphasizes coursework built to prepare you for various civilian and sworn positions. With faculty members who work closely with their students to offer professional insights and firsthand experience in criminal justice roles, the bachelor’s in criminal justice will put you on the path toward a wide variety of post-graduation career opportunities.

In the online bachelor's in criminal justice degree program, you'll learn how to:

• Evaluate the impact of emerging technologies and societal trends on the operations of criminal justice agencies and allied organizations.
• Promote positive community relations and partnerships using strategies that incorporate diverse perspectives and cultural awareness.
• Communicate effectively and professionally in collecting and conveying information to diverse audiences using appropriate skills and procedures.
• Analyze the power of discretionary decision making in relation to laws, regulations and professional ethical standards.
• Explore the branches of the criminal justice system to develop research-based solutions to complex problems professionals in the field face.
• Analyze issues in the criminal justice system through the lens of various social, behavioral and criminological theories to examine human motivation and behavior.

As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. Benefits of earning your criminal justice degree online at UMS include:

• Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation.
• Convenience. Access your coursework when and where you want – our online classroom is available 24/7.
• Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms throughout the academic year.
• Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience.
• Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities.
• Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we'll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there's no application fee.
• Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study.
• Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree.

Whether you’re looking to start a career in criminal justice or advance in your current role, earning your criminal justice degree opens doors to positions in a variety of areas:

• Advocacy and law
• Corrections
• Forensics
• Law enforcement
• Security

Both civilian and sworn careers are projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to have an average growth rate through 2026 (6% and 7% respectively).*²

Law enforcement positions may involve additional training and eligibility requirements.

Today, duties go beyond protecting and serving, and jobs in the criminal justice field demand critical thinkers with tip-top communication skills. That’s why UMS’s bachelor’s in criminal justice program includes an embedded communication certificate that covers these subjects:

• Professional writing
• Cultural awareness
• Communication skills
• Discretion in criminal justice

Built to prepare learners with the knowledge, attitudes and skills to communicate effectively to internal and external audiences in various contexts, students examine written, oral and non-verbal communication skills and techniques to improve their ability to collect and convey field-related information.

UMS's bachelor's in criminal justice program includes:

• General education
• Degree-specific courses

General Education Program

Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:

• Writing
• Communication
• Analysis
• Problem solving

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.