Gain the knowledge and skills to serve within the growing field of criminal justice. This online program will prepare you with a deep understanding of the current trends in national and global justice to make an impact within federal, state, county and municipal justice systems. Diverse careers in this field can include law enforcement, corrections, the courts, victims of crime, and juvenile and special offender populations. The program can also prepare you for graduate studies or law school.
This program includes online coursework and a hands-on internship experience in the field, to be completed at a location near you. Courses are taught by UNK faculty with both practitioner and research expertise who can assist you in an internship placement.
Tuition Waiver
Through Legislative Bill 906 (LB 906), qualified law enforcement officers are entitled to a waiver of 30% of resident tuition charges for this bachelor’s degree program. Under this bill passed by the Nebraska legislature, 30% of the remaining tuition is waived after federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants are applied. The waiver can be renewed for up to five years for those meeting UNK’s academic policies. See full details on the waiver application.
Completing a bachelor’s degree qualifies you for additional job positions and careers. The median salary for those with bachelor’s degrees is 39% higher than for those with a high school diploma (no college experience) and 34% higher for those with some college but no degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“I chose criminal justice as my major because I wanted to make a difference in a community by serving others and being a positive influence in their lives.” “When I first visited the UNK campus, the students and faculty I met with made me feel welcome. I was able to speak with professors from the criminal justice department one-on-one before I even applied to attend UNK, and they answered all of my questions.”
Hastings Police Department
Police Officer
Two program options are available: 1) Criminal Justice Comprehensive, and 2) Criminal Justice Major. For the Criminal Justice Major Option, a minor or second major is required to complete the degree program. The number of required electives needed to reach 120 total credit hours overall will depend upon the specific program chosen. Students with field experience in criminal justice or going to graduate school may substitute CJUS 405 Criminal Justice Research Methods II in place of the Internship.
45 General Studies credits are required in addition to the following:
