Criminology and Criminal Justice - Undergraduate Programs
The Criminology and Criminal Justice Department provides students with an academically sound education in criminal justice and prepares them for management positions with municipal, state and federal agencies. Students who are new to the discipline have opportunities for internships with local criminal justice agencies and law offices.
The Department strives to achieve academic excellence through its outstanding faculty. Experts in areas such as corrections, criminological theory, victimology, management, strive to challenge students while caring for their academic formation. The criminal justice faculty helps students understand the etiology of crime who are then able to develop paradigms that are useful and beneficial in the understanding of crime.
This tradition of excellence serves to produce competitive criminal justice managers who are prepared for the challenges of employment with private, state, or federal agencies. The academic excellence of the UTA Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is well known in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex
Requirements to Major in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Students admitted to UT Arlington from high school or transfer students who have completed less than 30 hours of transferable college credit will be admitted as Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ)-intended majors, and will be allowed to declare CRCJ as their major based on the following criteria:
- Completed at least 15 hours of the University core courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Completed both CRCJ 2334 (Introduction to the Criminal Justice System) and one other CRCJ core course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Students admitted to UT Arlington who have completed 30 or more hours of transferable college credit will be allowed to declare CRCJ as their major based on the following criteria:
- Achieved a minimum 2.25 GPA for all college credit earned, and
- Completed CRCJ 2334 (Introduction to the Criminal Justice System) or an equivalent course, and one other UT Arlington CRCJ core course, or equivalent course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Students already admitted to UT Arlington, who previously declared a major other than CRCJ, who desire to change to CRCJ as their major will be accepted based on the following criteria:
- Completed at least 15 hours of the College of Liberal Arts core courses,
- Achieved a minimum 2.25 GPA in all hours completed at UT Arlington, and
- Completed both CRCJ 2334 (Introduction to the Criminal Justice System) and one other CRCJ core course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
| Pre-Professional Courses | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Program Requirements (These courses also fulfill requirements in the General Core). | ||
| UNIV 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| Mathematics (MATH 1301 or higher; MATH 1301 and MATH 1308 are recommended) | ||
| Modern and Classical Languages: 1441, 1442, (Must be one language for a total of 8 hours). | 8 | |
| Total # of hours before major (54) | ||
| MAJOR | ||
| A CRCJ major consists of 57 hours, including 36 hours of required CRCJ core courses and 21 hours of major electives (See additional requirements below). The total number of hours must be 120 or more. | ||
| CRCJ Core (Required) | ||
| CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 1 | 3 |
| CRCJ 2335 | ETHICS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 2350 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3 |
| CRCJ 3300 | THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY | 3 |
| CRCJ 3338 | JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CRCJ 3380 | RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE | 3 |
| CRCJ 3340 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS | 3 |
| or SOCI 3352 | SOCIAL STATISTICS | |
| CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| CRCJ 3370 | INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS | 3 |
| CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 4332 | COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | 3 |
| or CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS | |
| CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CRCJ Major Electives (of which at least 15 hours must be CRCJ-prefix courses): | 21 | |
| CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY SYSTEMS | ||
| CYBERCRIME | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW | ||
| POLICE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION | ||
| ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS | ||
| CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION | ||
| WOMEN AND CRIME | ||
| VICTIMOLOGY | ||
| DRUG USE AND ABUSE | ||
| PRIVATE SECURITY ADMINISTRATION | ||
| CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS | ||
| GANGS | ||
| COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | ||
or CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS | |
| FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION | ||
| FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE | ||
| FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER IDENTIFICATION | ||
| FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY | ||
| CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE MEDIA | ||
| TERRORISM AND MASS VIOLENCE | ||
| ORGANIZED CRIME: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL | ||
| CAPITAL PUNISHMENT | ||
| TOPICS IN CORRECTIONS | ||
| TOPICS IN CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY | ||
| TOPICS IN LAW AND JUDICIAL PROCESSES | ||
| TOPICS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PRIVATE SECURITY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
| CONFERENCE COURSE | ||
| CONFERENCE COURSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
| CONFERENCE COURSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
| HONORS THESIS/SENIOR PROJECT | ||
| 6 hours of electives can be taken from the following courses: | ||
| THE ECONOMICS OF CRIME | ||
| JURISPRUDENCE | ||
| U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS | ||
| DEVIANCE: SOCIAL AND PERSONAL | ||
| LAW AND SOCIETY | ||
Other courses may be used for elective credit with advisor approval. | ||
| Minor | ||
| A minor is not required, but is optional. A minor, if chosen, consists of 18 hours, with at least six hours at the 3000/4000 level. | ||
| Oral Proficiency and Computer Proficiency Required (COMS 1301) | ||
| Hours of Open Electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements for the Online Bachelor Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
This degree is offered via the UT TeleCampus and is designed with the criminal justice and law enforcement professional in mind. Students who have already completed the first two years of undergraduate courses, can complete the bachelor degree program by taking the upper level courses online, taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses . The courses are taught entirely online and do not required any on-campus visits. This 66-credit hour program, combined with the appropriate lower-division undergraduate course work, will lead to a Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree from UT Arlington. To earn a Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree from UT-Arlington, students must earn grades of C or better in all major courses required for the degree. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in major courses to remain in the program and must graduate with 2.5 GPA or higher in all major courses. To learn more about this program, please visit: www.utcoursesonline.org.
| Pre-Professional Courses | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Program Requirements (These courses also fulfill requirements in the General Core) | ||
| ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| Mathematics (MATH 1301 or higher; MATH 1301 and MATH 1308 are recommended) | ||
| Professional Courses | ||
| Major | ||
| CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (CCJO 2310) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CCJO 3320) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 3380 | RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE (CCJO 3370) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM (CCJO 4330) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS (CCJO 4336) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS (CCJO 4350) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRCJ 4315 | CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS (CCJO 4352) (UTA) | 3 |
| CRIJ 3315 (CCJO 3322) Legal Aspects of Evidence (UTB) | ||
| CRIJ 3331 (CCJO 3326) Legal Aspects of Corrections (UTB) | ||
| CRIJ 4370 (CCJO 4338) Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (UTB) | ||
| CRIJ 4312 (CCJO 4358) Principles of Law Enforcement Supervision (UTB) | ||
| CRIJ 4341 (CCJO 4360) Correctional Casework and Counseling (UTB) | ||
| CRIJ 4313 (CCJO 4362) Seminar of Issues in Law Enforcement (UTB) | ||
| CCJO 3312 (formerly CRIM 3340) Criminal Justice Administration (UTPB) | ||
| CCJO 3332 (formerly CRIM 3365) Juvenile Delinquency and Justice (UTPB) | ||
| CCJO 4316 (formerly CRIM 4332) Theories of Criminal Behavior (UTPB) | ||
| CCJO 4354 (formerly CRIM 4381) Ethics in Criminal Justice (UTPB) | ||
| CCJO 4356 (formerly CRIM 4321) Probation and Parole (UTPB) | ||
| CCJO 4364 (formerly CRIM 4382) Police and the Community (UTPB) | ||
| PSYC 4305 (CCJO 4372) Drugs and Behavior (UTPB) | ||
| Select two of the following electives: | ||
CRIJ 3325 Violet Crime and Offenders (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4363 (CCJO 4366) Gangs and Gang Behavior (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4300 (CCJO 4300) Forensics DNA Analysis (UTEP) | ||
BIOL 3320 (CCJO 3324) Genetics (UTEP) | ||
BIOL 4395 (CCJO 4395) Toxicology (UTEP) | ||
INSS 4350 Selected Problems in Intelligence Crime & Border Security (UTEP) | ||
| Electives | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 79 | |
Note: UT Arlington denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Arlington; UTB denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Brownsville; UTPB denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Permian Basin; and UTEP denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at El Paso.
Students will satisfy the computer and communications competencies during completion of the online core courses required for the BCRCJ degree.
Requirements for a Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
A minor is an option, but not required. A minor, if chosen, typically consists of 18 hours, with at least six hours at the 3000/4000 level.
Requirements for a Minor in Forensic Applications of Science and Technology
The CRCJ minor in Forensic Applications of Science and Technology (FAST) provides a multidisciplinary approach designed for criminology and criminal justice majors pursuing professional careers in non-laboratory-based areas of forensic science, such as crime scene investigation and where a working knowledge of the basic concepts of forensic science and technology would prove beneficial. Science majors pursuing laboratory-based careers in forensic science may also find this minor advantageous. Students must complete 18 credit hours from the courses listed below, with at least six hours at the 4000 level.
To earn a FAST minor students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better in those courses. Courses required for the minor cannot be utilized for double credit in the student’s major. An academic minor may only be awarded upon current completion of a baccalaureate degree at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Required Entry Course:
CRCJ 3370. INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS
Electives:
CRCJ 2340. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
CRCJ 3307. INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY SYSTEMS
CRCJ 3371. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370)
CRCJ 3320. CYBERCRIME
CRCJ 4357. FORENSIC FIREARM INVESTIGATION (CURRENTLY BEING TAUGHT
AS CRCJ 4387. TOPICS IN CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY) (Prerequisite: 3370)
CRCJ 4340, FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370)
CRCJ 4341, FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE (Prerequisite:
3370 AND 3371)
CRCJ 4342, FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER EXAMINATION (Prerequisite: 3370)
CRCJ 4343, FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY (Prerequisite: 3370)
CRCJ 4390, INTERNSHIP PRACTICUM IN A DEPARTMENT APPROVED FORENSIC, CRIME SCENE OR DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SETTING. (Participation in CRCJ 4390 requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UTA.
With departmental approval, courses offered by other academic units that have an applied forensic focus may be considered for the FAST minor. Such courses could include:
BIOL 3352. INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC LAB SCIENCE
BIOL 4352. FORENSIC BIOLOGY
BIOL 4406. HUMAN OSTEOLOGY (Also offered as ANTH 4406)
ANTH 4407. FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY
PSYC 3308. FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
This minor would be appropriately combined with the following majors: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, Psychology, or Computer Science.
Potential course pairings for students with investigative and laboratory-based interests are presented below:
Investigative Path:
CRCJ 3370. INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS (3)
CRCJ 2340. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS (3)
CRCJ 3371. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 3320. CYBERCRIME (3)
CRCJ 4340, FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 4343, FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
TOTAL: 18 Credit Hours
Laboratory-Based Path:
CRCJ 3371. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 4357. FORENSIC FIREARM INVESTIGATION (CURRENTLY BEING TAUGHT
AS CRCJ 4387. TOPICS IN CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY) (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 4340, FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 4341, FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE (Prerequisites:
3370 AND 3371) (3)
CRCJ 4342, FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER EXAMINATION (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
CRCJ 4343, FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY (Prerequisite: 3370) (3)
TOTAL: 18 Credit Hours
Certificate in Crime Analysis
A Certificate in Crime Analysis is offered by the Department for students interested in pursuing a law enforcement career in crime analysis. Students must complete seven required courses (21 credit hours) to qualify. The courses are:
| CRCJ 3336 | POLICE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| CRCJ 3340 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS | 3 |
| CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| GEOL 4330 | UNDERSTANDING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CSE 1301 | COMPUTER LITERACY | 3 |
| CSE 1310 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CRCJ 4390 | INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| 1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |
Certificate in Crime Scene Technology
CRCJ students interested in beginning a career as a crime scene technician are offered a Certificate in Crime Scene Technology. Students must complete seven required courses (21 credit hours) to qualify. The courses are:
| CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 2340 | CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | 3 |
| CRCJ 3337 | ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | 3 |
| CRCJ 3370 | INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS | 3 |
| CRCJ 3371 | CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION | 3 |
| CRCJ 4340 | FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION | 3 |
| Optional Courses | ||
| CYBERCRIME | ||
| FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE | ||
| FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER IDENTIFICATION | ||
| FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | ||
| Total | 21 | |
| 1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |
Certificate in Law Enforcement Administration
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) at UT-Arlington and the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA), which is one of seven institutes within the Center for American and International Law, Plano, TX, combine to offer a Certificate in Law Enforcement Administration for police officers, supervisors, and managers. To receive the certificate, officers must complete four courses offered by ILEA (13 credit hours) and five courses (15 credit hours) offered by the CRCJ Department at UT Arlington.
Courses to be taken at or through ILEA are:
- LEA 200, School of Police Supervision;
- LEA 220, Fair Labor Standards Act Law;
- ETH 100, Ethical Decision Making; and
- ETH 150, Ethics Train-the-Trainer.
Courses offered by the CRCJ Department at UT-Arlington are online courses and include:
| CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 3380 | RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE | 3 |
| CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CRCJ 4315 | CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Certificate in Legal Studies
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) at UT-Arlington, offers a Certificate in Legal Studies for students interested in working in the legal field. To receive the certificate, students must complete six courses (18 credit hours) offered by the department. The courses are:
| CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
| CRCJ 3330 | FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW | 3 |
| CRCJ 3337 | ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | 3 |
| CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| CAPITAL PUNISHMENT | ||
| COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | ||
| TOPICS IN LAW AND JUDICIAL PROCESSES | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | ||
| Total | 18 | |
| 1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |