As a criminal justice major, you will deepen your understanding of crime-related issues and criminal justice systems and policies, and will learn to apply this knowledge to address social problems.
Interested in research? Hear how one student got involved in Criminal Justice research projects.
Our B.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology curriculum is designed to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as the benefits of a well-rounded liberal arts education.
You will take core courses that cover topics such as criminal justice and juvenile justice processes, criminology, technology and crime analysis, law enforcement, corrections, crime prevention, and research and evaluation.
Beyond the general major, you may also elect to enhance your degree by specializing in one of the following areas:
Corrections
Crime & Mental Health
Homeland Security
Police
Upper-level students can take a three-credit internship or six-credit field studies course to assess their interest and apply their classroom knowledge in an area of criminal justice. These courses are characterized by training for specific job skills rather than education involving conceptual learning. Like other academic fields, our school does not offer courses nor award credit for vocational training courses designed for specific job preparation or advanced job training.
In addition, students majoring in criminal justice will fulfill a professional skills requirement. This consists of completing four courses in information technology and data analysis.
1Required for all entering freshmen; not required for those who transfer to UMass Lowell or into the Criminal Justice major.
2Free electives must be from departments other than Criminal Justice.
3Two Criminal Justice electives can be at any level. Three Criminal Justice electives must be at the 3000 level or above (15 credits required).
Notes:
Criminal Justice majors must maintain a 2.500 Criminal Justice GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA of 2.200.
Criminal Justice majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in Criminal Justice.
No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.
Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
Restriction on off-campus study:
Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.
Criminal Justice majors must maintain a 2.500 CJ GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA of 2.200.
Criminal Justice majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in Criminal Justice.
No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.
Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
Restriction on off-campus study:
Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.
Capstone Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice (WOC), (CTPS), (AIL)
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Criminal Justice/Minor Elective
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Social Sciences/Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
Total
15
Total Minimum Credits = 120.
1Required for all entering freshmen; not required for those who transfer to UMass Lowell or into the Criminal Justice (CJ) major.
2Free electives must be from departments other than Criminal Justice.
Notes:
Criminal Justice majors must maintain a 2.500 Criminal Justice GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA of 2.200.
Criminal Justice majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in Criminal Justice
No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements. Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
Capstone Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice (WOC), (CTPS), (AIL)
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Criminal Justice / Minor Elective
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Social Sciences / Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
Total
15
Total Minimum Credits = 120.
1Required for all entering freshmen; not required for those who transfer to UMass Lowell or into the Criminal Justice major.
2Free electives must be from departments other than Criminal Justice.
Notes:
Criminal Justice majors must maintain a 2.500 Criminal Justice GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA of 2.200.
Criminal Justice majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in Criminal Justice.
No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.
Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
Capstone Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice (WOC), (CTPS), (AIL)
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Criminal Justice / Minor Elective
3
xxxx.3/4xxx
Social Sciences / Minor Elective
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
xxxx.xxxx
Free Elective2
3
Total
15
Total Minimum Credits = 120
1Required for all entering freshmen; not required for those who transfer to UMass Lowell or into the Criminal Justice major.
2Free electives must be from departments other than Criminal Justice.
Notes:
Criminal Justice majors must maintain a 2.500 Criminal Justice GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA of 2.200.
Criminal Justice majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in Criminal Justice
No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.
Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.
A thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and current issues in criminal justice;
The ability to apply theory and research to real world problems in criminal justice;
Development of critical thinking, ethical decision making, and an understanding of diversity as it pertains to crime, offenders, victims, and the criminal justice system.
To prepare students to apply critical thinking skills and apply knowledge to positions in the criminal justice field and/or their graduate education.
Why study criminal justice at UMass Lowell?
Research Opportunities
Work with faculty on large-scale, national and international research projects, including:
Our faculty are leaders in the field, working collaboratively with communities and agencies around the world to assist with strategic problem solving, crime analysis, evaluation research and policy analysis.
Graduate Programs
Advance your career options in the criminal justice field through our highly rated graduate programs:
Earn a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice in as little as five years with our combined bachelor's-to-master's program.
Advance your knowledge and skills in criminal justice.
Prepare for leadership roles in law enforcement, corrections and other justice-related fields.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) not required.
Career Outlook
$105,300
Median salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
(Lightcast, 2024)
+8.7%
Projected job growth in criminal justice (2023–2035)
(Lightcast, 2024)
What Can You Do with a Degree in Criminal Justice?
UMass Lowell's Criminal Justice and Criminology program prepares graduates to fill positions in all areas related to criminal justice or continue to graduate studies in the social sciences or law.
Where Our Graduates Work
Courts
Corrections
Cybersecurity
Homeland security
Intelligence and crime analysis
Law enforcement
Private investigation
Social services linked to the criminal justice system
Victim services
Meet Our Students, Faculty and Alumni
Matthew Chigas '17, '19
Criminal Justice, Security Studies
Internships in the Middle East and in Nashua, N.H., launched Matthew Chigas on an ambitious career path.
Kyleigh Clark-Moorman is interested in how best to prepare inmates to rejoin their communities. She’s gotten a broad range of research and teaching experiences in the doctoral program in criminology.
Everyone is so welcoming, and the professors are so invested in student success. They want you to flourish and build your skills.
A chance encounter with a professor led to an amazing research opportunity. Now Qurat Ann is researching the pros and cons of sex offender registration laws as she pursues a Ph.D.
A professor put me on his project and gave me a chance – and I’m eternally grateful because it changed my life.
Andrew Sciascia’s studies in political science and homeland security are combining with his student newspaper experience to prepare him for a career as a political analyst.
We all come to this university with a different story, and we are welcomed with open arms.
It took Lisa teDuits 27 years to earn her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She pursued the paralegal option for better job opportunities – and to set a good example for her sons.
The online classes gave me the flexibility to juggle working full time, being a mom, not missing any of my sons’ sporting events and helping with elderly parents and their needs.
Angela King Lines is already on the front lines of fighting crime as a manager at Walmart. She says her degree in criminal justice helped prepare her for her next fight: reducing the backlog of DNA tests in rape and murder cases.
I really appreciate the flexibility of online learning. You can still do your career and get your degree.
Ryan Shields is taking a public health approach to a highly sensitive issue: child sexual abuse. The criminologist says that research suggests much of it can be prevented, and that’s reason for hope.
I believe in the power of prevention to make life better for people.
After earning a master's degree in criminal justice, Sean Perry plans to pursue a Ph.D. in criminology with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor or private sector or government researcher whose studies could help improve police departments or criminal justice systems.
I received a really good education here. I feel like I never got anything less than Ivy Leaguers did.
With family ties to the criminal justice field, Casey McCauley looks to forge her path to law school through the School of Criminology and Justice Studies.
I was able to take what I’ve learned from my legal studies classes and apply it to real-world situations.
Psychology major William Cole-French, a distance runner on UML’s men’s cross country and track and field teams, received an America East Helping Hands Award for his volunteer mentorship of a local elementary school student.
By talking with someone who’s younger through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, you’re reminded what really matters: relationships, being a good person and being kind.
Deborah Friedl ’83 broke barriers for women at the Lowell Police Department. Now president of the International Association of Women Police, she’s advocating for women to play a role in police reform.
Women bring a lot of value to building trust with communities.
Retired MBTA Transit Police Sgt. Dic Donohue finished his master’s degree in 2012. Less than a year later, he was shot during a police firefight with the Boston Marathon bombers. After earning his Ph.D. in criminology, he’s taking a job with the RAND Corp.
There are a lot of people who will help you, not just police, but community-wide. You’ve just got to open your eyes, realize they’re out there and ask them for help.
Christina Han’s work with Multicultural Affairs, her club leadership and her studies in criminal justice converged in her honors capstone: running a “Support Space” for Asian American and Pacific Islander students during a surge in hate crimes.
Just being able to help others and educate others, knowing I was able to make a difference in someone else’s day, that’s a coping mechanism.
Sara Khun-Leng ’99 helps immigrants and refugees, veterans and others needing assistance as director of constituent services in the district office of U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.
I felt like I had to do this, to speak for people who are not always able to help themselves.
Steven DiNoto's career is a mix of “CSI” and “Criminal Minds” high-tech rip-offs, forensics and criminal psychology. He's held top-level posts through his career and credits his UMass Lowell education for his success.
UMass Lowell was an amazing experience for me. The professors were great ... the best CJ professors in the nation, they were also very accessible to students.
A semester in Washington, D.C., interning with a nonprofit that trains women to run for political office galvanized Shaila Bornstein. As soon as she finishes at UML, she plans to return to Washington to gain political experience so she can run for president.
The opportunities I’ve already gotten here are above and beyond what I could have gotten anywhere else.
Elinor Mayo has lofty dreams, and Air Force ROTC is helping her find her way to the cockpit.
When I was in seventh grade, I decided I wanted to be a fighter pilot because in my head, that was the most amazing job I could ever have. If I push myself hard enough, it might be within reach.
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