The program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and society's control mechanisms, as well as to prepare them for professional careers in criminal justice and related agencies. As a multidisciplinary field of study, criminal justice incorporates the substance and perspectives across the social sciences. The core requirements of the program expose students to all components (police, courts, corrections) of the criminal justice system where they will learn how these components interact with each other and the community to create the justice system experienced in the U.S. A wide variety of elective courses allow students to tailor the degree program to meet their interests. The department emphasizes experiential learning through both undergraduate research with faculty members and a strong internship program with over 100 community partners. Internship opportunities are available with public and private organizations across Central Florida.
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
- Students should complete the General Education Program before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
- The courses designated in section 1 below may be taken at a Florida College System institution, and should usually be completed in the first 60 hours.
- Students must complete three (3) Criminal Justice graduate courses (5XXX), each with a grade of "B" (3.0) or better for a total of nine (9) credit hours; courses are selected under the direction of an advisor.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each core course, and have an average overall GPA of 2.0 or better in courses used toward the restricted electives.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
30 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- See "Common Prerequisites" in the Transfer and Transitions Services section for more information.
- Complete the following:
- CJE3001 - Careers in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ3014 - Crime in America (3)
- CCJ3024 - Criminal Justice System (3)
- CCJ4701 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
- CJL3510 - Prosecution and Adjudication (3)
- CJC3010 - Corrections and Penology (3)
- CJE4014 - Police and Society (3)
- CCJ4678 - Race, Ethnicity, Equity, and (In)justice (3)
- CCJ4746 - Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ4054 - Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics (3)
Restricted Electives
30 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses: Scholars' Track - Students must complete three (3) Criminal Justice graduate courses (5XXX), each with a grade of "B" (3.0) or better for a total of nine (9) credit hours; courses are selected under the direction of an advisor.
- Earn at least 12 credits from the following types of courses: 12 additional semester hours of upper division criminal justice (CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, CJL, CJT, DSC or SCC) undergraduate course work. Seniors may satisfy up to six hours of this requirement with internships and up to six hours with directed independent study; however, the combination of these non-class options shall not exceed nine hours. Program standards must be met to be eligible for either internships or independent study credit. Participation in Honors in the Major also recommended.
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses: 9 additional semester hours of non-criminal justice supportive electives. These courses may vary from student to student depending upon individual needs or objectives. The supporting course requirements may also be met by using 9 hours from a completed minor in another program approved by the department. Students are responsible for the requirements of a second major or minor limiting overlapping credit hours between two or more programs.
Grand Total Credits: 60
Common Program Prerequisites (CPP)
Core Requirements: Basic Level
Electives
Foreign Language Requirements
- Two years of one foreign language in high school or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
Admissions
Graduation
- Students pursuing the B.A. degree must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to one year at college level. Proficiency equivalent to two semesters of college instruction in a foreign language or in American Sign Language (ASL). Standardized examinations for foreign languages may be used. The foreign language credits may be used toward the 9 hour supporting course requirement. ASL proficiency is met by successful completion of ASL 2140 and ASL 2150 or an appropriate score on the ASL proficiency exam. Contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/csd/) regarding the ASL proficiency examination.
Additional Requirements
- Students whose overall GPA falls below 3.2 out of a possible 4.0 will not be permitted to continue in the track and will be transferred to the Criminal Justice BA/BS degree
Required Minors
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Students must take a minimum of 36 hours of upper-division CJ credit from the UCF Department of Criminal Justice to obtain the UCF degree in Criminal Justice.
- Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 out of a possible 4.0.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Interested students should consult with a faculty advisor.
Related Programs
- Public Administration (B.A. or B.S.)
- Political Science, Prelaw Track (B.A.)
Certificates
- Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping Certificate
- Criminal Profiling Certificate
- Crime Scene Investigation Certificate
- Victim Advocacy Certificate
- Criminal Justice Management and Leadership Certificate
Related Minors
- Intelligence and National Security Minor
- Public Administration Minor
- Psychology Minor
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security Minor
Advising Notes
- Grades below a "C" (2.0) are not accepted in the core.
Transfer Notes
- Grades below a "C" (2.0) are not accepted in the core.
- Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
Plan of Study
Freshman Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Math Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Social Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Historical Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Math Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Science Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Social Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Cultural Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- GEP Communication Credit Hours: 3
- CJE 3001 - Careers in Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Historical Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Science Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- CCJ 3014 - Crime in America Credit Hours: 3
- CCJ 3024 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Supporting Elective Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- Core Course (CJE 4014, CJL 3510, CJC 3010) Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- Admissions to Scholars' Track requires 3.2 overall GPA
- CCJ 4701 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
- Supporting Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Core Course (CJE 4014, CJL 3510, CJC 3010) Credit Hours: 3
- CCJ 4678 - Race, Ethnicity, Equity, and (In)justice Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- CCJ 4746 - Data Analysis for Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
- Scholar’s Track: Criminal Justice graduate course (5XXX) Credit Hours: 3
- Supporting Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Core Course (CJE 4014, CJL 3510, CJC 3010) Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- CCJ 4054 - Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- Scholar's Track: Criminal Justice graduate course (5XXX) Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- Scholar's Track: Criminal Justice graduate course (5XXX) Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective or Criminal Justice Internship Credit Hours: 3 (The department strongly encourages internships.)
