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The Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice can be completed entirely online.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis understands online education. In fact, UMSL's online degree programs are ranked 1st in Missouri and among the top 15 percent nationally for the best online bachelor’s programs. And, College Choice recently ranked UMSL’s program eighth nationally on its list of the 50 Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees.

Students will have access to UMSL’s Online Mentor Program, a free resource designed to help you enhance your learning experience, develop strategies for academic success and gain assistance with course navigation. The flexibility of our program will allow you to have a personalized balance for studies, work and family as you pursue your higher education goals.

Many pre-law students choose criminology and criminal justice as an undergraduate major because of the excellent preparation for law school. All courses required to complete the BS are available online, and UMSL also offers a Master of Arts and a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice for students wishing to continue their academic pursuits.

General Education Requirements

Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Courses used to fulfill the social science or state requirement may not be taken from courses in the major. Foreign language proficiency is not required, although students are encouraged to take foreign language courses. Majors may not take the following courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis: criminology and criminal justice courses; SOC 3220, Quantitative Techniques in Sociology; or SOC 3230, Research Methods. Additionally, substitutions approved by departmental advisers for these courses may not be taken on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis.

Declaring the Criminology and Criminal Justice Major

Students must complete the following courses before declaring the major:

CRIMIN 1100 Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
CRIMIN 1110 Theories of Crime 3
CRIMIN 2210 Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
CRIMIN 2220 Statistical Analysis In Criminology And Criminal Justice 1 4

Degree Requirements

Courses used to fulfill the social science or state requirements may not be taken from courses in the major. Students may register for 3000-5000 level courses only after completing ENGL 3100 (Advanced Expository Writing).

Students may register for 3000-5000 level courses only after prerequisites have been satisfied or after obtaining a signature from the adviser in criminology and criminal justice or consent of the instructor.

Criminology majors may not take course numbers 1100, 2260, or 3345 offered through UM-Independent Studies to fulfill degree requirements in the major.

Core Curriculum

Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice candidates must complete the core curriculum listed below:

Core Curriculum
The following courses in criminology and criminal justice are required: 22
CRIMIN 1100
Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
CRIMIN 1110
Theories of Crime
CRIMIN 1120
Criminal Law
CRIMIN 2130
Criminal Justice Policy
CRIMIN 2210
Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice
CRIMIN 2220
Statistical Analysis In Criminology And Criminal Justice
CRIMIN 4390
Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Select one of the following: 3
CRIMIN 2240
Policing
CRIMIN 2250
Courts
CRIMIN 2260
Corrections
Select one of the following courses in Criminology and Criminal Justice: 3
CRIMIN 3305
Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice
CRIMIN 4325
Gender, Crime, and Justice
CRIMIN 4330
Violence Against Women
CRIMIN 4340
Race, Crime, and Justice
Select three additional CRIMIN courses at the 3000, 4000, or 5000 level: 9
Total Hours 37

Candidates must earn a minimum grade of (C-) in the following courses: CRIMIN 2220 Statistical Analysis in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and CRIMIN 4390 Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Candidates must also have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the major.


CAreer Opportunities


Legal Assistant
Corrections Officer
Probation & Parole Officer
Private Investigator
Loss & Prevention Administrator
Police Officer
Urban Planner
Career Counselor
Youth Outreach Coordinator
Court Reporter