The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology & Criminal Justice is particularly suited for students with an interest in computer fraud investigation, crime scene analysis, criminal investigation, studies in deviance, law and social control strategies, terrorism, or who have a general broad-based academic interest in crime and deviance studies.
Admission into the Major
Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Students earning the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Criminology & Criminal justice must complete all University, College and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor and other sufficient credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
The major in Criminology & Criminal Justice requires the successful completion of the following 33 semester hours (minimum grade of C-):
| Code and Title | Hours |
| CJ 102 | Principles of Crim & CJ | 3 |
| CJ 300 | Survey Criminal Theories | 3 |
| CJ 380 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CJ 381 | Statistics | 3 |
| 12 |
| |
| * | 15 |
| |
| 6 |
| 21 |
| Total Hours | 33 |
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Ancillary Courses
The Criminology & Criminal Justice major does not require ancillary courses; however the formal declaration of the criminal justice major is required prior to enrolling in any 300-400 level courses.
Required Minor
This major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional Major Requirements
A grade of C- or higher is required in all criminal justice courses. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for additional assistance with all College and University degree requirements.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Criminal justice is a field that offers many employment opportunities, stable employment, and often exciting jobs. Recent graduates work for Homeland Security, the Secret Service, Probation and Parole, and many other state and federal agencies. Other have successfully completed law school and now work as attorneys. Other graduates work as drug rehabilitation specialists and as offender/victim advocates. Other recent graduates have been awarded paid assistantships to pursue advanced degrees.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
We have alumni who are police chiefs and attorneys, and who work in supervisory roles in both state and federal corrections and law enforcement agencies. Many of our undergraduates go on to attend graduate programs and some have earned doctorates and now work as professors.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
