Exploring Criminal Justice Programs at UCF: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a diverse range of criminal justice programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this complex and evolving field. From undergraduate to graduate studies, and with options for online learning, UCF's Department of Criminal Justice (CJ) provides pathways for individuals seeking to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Undergraduate Criminal Justice Programs at UCF

UCF's Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice program provides students with a broad understanding of crime and society's control mechanisms, while also preparing 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. A wide variety of elective courses allow students to tailor the degree program to meet their interests.

Program Tracks

To cater to diverse student interests and career goals, the undergraduate Criminal Justice program at UCF offers different tracks:

Criminal Justice Scholars’ Track (BA or BS): This track distinguishes high-achieving undergraduate students by recognizing their academic excellence and commitment to scholarship. By meeting departmental requirements, students can apply nine elective credits (5000-level courses) from the Criminal Justice Master’s program toward their undergraduate Criminal Justice degree. This dual credit system allows students to make progress toward their graduate studies while completing their bachelor's degree. The Scholar’s Track is for students who maintain a GPA of 3.2 or better and have met the entrance requirement of having achieved a grade of B or better in both ENC1101 and ENC1102.
Professional Track: This track allows undergraduate students to graduate with a state certification in law enforcement or corrections already under their belt.

Experiential Learning

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.

If you're in the Criminal Justice Professional Track, an internship is required to help you apply your knowledge in real-world settings. If you're in the Scholars Track or haven't selected a track within the Criminal Justice B.A. or B.S. program, internships are optional-but highly valuable. Internships give you hands-on experience, connect you with industry professionals, and strengthen your resume, setting you up for success in the field. Acquire hands-on skills, insight and a richer understanding of the operations in a criminal justice agency through the completion of an internship experience.

Read also: Curriculum Overview

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.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Upon graduation, criminal justice majors can find employment as police, correctional or probation officers, justice system administrators, crime analysts, private security administrators, superintendents, county sheriffs/deputies, program directors or elected officials. You can also go on to graduate school and get involved with academic criminal justice; or professional school, like law school, and take positions in the legal aspects of the justice system as prosecutors or defense attorneys. There are currently more than 6,000 people working as detectives and criminal investigators throughout Florida.

The BA in Criminal Justice program at UCF is uniquely designed to provide you with a broad understanding of crime and society’s control mechanisms, as well as to prepare you for a professional career in criminal justice and related professions. You’ll learn how to take a broad yet specialized degree and apply it to the operations of criminal justice professions, such as law enforcement, courts, corrections, advocacy (domestic violence, human trafficking, elderly abuse), juvenile justice and cybersecurity. Earn your criminal justice degree fully online or on campus. This provides you with the convenience and flexibility to learn when, where and how you want.

Online Criminal Justice Programs at UCF

UCF Online offers a variety of criminal justice programs designed with flexibility and excellence in mind. Delivering the same high-quality instruction students receive on campus, our virtual degree programs follow rigorous standards and feature high-caliber curricula taught by an award-winning faculty. Students apply their skills to real-world challenges across a wide range of specific careers in the criminal justice field, from forensic analysis to communication and conflict. Our online format allows busy students to pursue certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs in a way that fits their lives and equips them to step forward as leaders in their field.

UCF Online is a great way for students to complete their degree while working in their field. Students don’t have to worry about missing out! No matter if you are just starting your career or are searching for a new way to leave an impact on your community, UCF Online has a law or criminal justice program for you. With online classes taught by the same dedicated faculty who teach in face-to-face classrooms, UCF Online gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want without compromising on quality education.

Society relies on the criminal justice system to ensure its members are protected. When you earn your B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice through UCF Online, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the justice system. Through UCF Online, you’ll be prepared to work within the local, county, state or federal justice agencies, private organizations or a related field. Additionally, you’ll be well-qualified to pursue graduate work in criminal justice or related disciplines, deepening your understanding so you can show up as a leader. Get started today and earn your B.A. or B.S.

Support for Online Students

If you are early in your educational research journey and unsure what the next steps are, just reach out to one of our dedicated UCF Online coaches who can advise on degree-choice options, admission details, the application process and options available for financing your degree. UCF Online gives students a choice of options to help them on their path to a fulfilling legal or criminal justice career.

Online Legal Studies Program

If you’re considering a career as a legal assistant, paralegal or attorney, our online Legal Studies, BA/BS provides the foundation for understanding the history, processes and procedures of the legal system.

Online Forensics Programs

For those advancing their career within the forensics field, UCF Online provides graduate-level programs including a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Forensic Science, as well as a graduate certificate in Crime Analysis.

Affordability of Online Programs

Time is valuable for all of us, and at UCF Online we believe you shouldn’t have to alter your life in order to advance your legal career through higher education. The best investment you can make is in your future. The impact that you will make with your online legal and criminal justice degree shouldn’t come at a great cost to you. That’s why UCF Online offers an affordable alternative to earning a high-quality university degree. Florida residents seeking an online graduate degree can save $42.33 per credit hour.

Graduate Criminal Justice Programs at UCF

UCF offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree designed to meet the needs of students preparing for careers in the field of criminal justice. The curriculum focuses on the traditional issues such as management, administrative and criminal justice theory, as well as basic research methods and descriptive statistics. The Master of Science in Criminal Justice core and elective courses focus on the complex and changing world in which criminal justice systems operate in this country and abroad. This plan of study is designed to equip future criminal justice leaders to be critical consumers of criminal justice research.

The benefits of an advanced graduate degree in criminal justice are self-evident and are being increasingly recognized by employers in central Florida and throughout the United States. Federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies benefit from an informed and innovative workforce that is aware of the complex issues and problems faced by the system regardless of geographic locale. Furthermore, graduates of the program are grounded in the latest theories and learn how these theories affect each individual or organization within the system.

Program Structure

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice requires 36 credit hours, including 21 credit hours of core courses, 6 credit hours of restricted electives, and 9 credit hours of general electives. For students electing to complete a thesis, 6 credit hours of the general elective requirements will be thesis hours. Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree.

Please note: Criminal Justice (MS) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International Students

International applicants should be aware the program may not offer sufficient on-campus courses for F or J visa holders. Please contact the program for more information before applying. International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. International applicants should be aware the program may not offer sufficient on-campus courses for F or J visa holders. Please contact the program for more information before applying. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.

Dual Master of Public Administration and Criminal Justice

UCF also offers a Dual Master of Public Administration and Criminal Justice program.

Master's Program Specializations

The online master's in criminal justice programs offers concentrations with highest demand in Corrections, Criminal justice administration, Juvenile justice, Law enforcement, and Policing. Concentrations offered also include Corrections, Crime Analysis and Mapping, Crime prevention, Criminal justice (general), Criminal justice administration, Criminology (general), Deviance, Juvenile delinquency, Juvenile justice, Law enforcement, Other, Policing, Public safety management, Social justice, and Victimology.

Outcomes for Graduates

Criminal Justice majors graduating with a master's degree from UCF make a median salary of $45,983 a year.

Admissions Information

Ready to make a difference in your community? Whether you see yourself in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice or leadership roles shaping the future of public safety, UCF’s Department of Criminal Justice (CJ) offers degree programs tailored to help you succeed.

Admissions Contacts

Director of admissions: Dr. Jennifer Parham

Admission Factors

Academic factors include Undergraduate institution (Considered), Undergraduate GPA (Very Important), Undergraduate field of study (Considered), Recommendation(s) (Important), and Standardized test scores (Not Considered).

Non-academic factors include Application essay (Important), Work experience (Considered), Character/personal qualities (Important), First-generation college student (Considered), Alumni/alumnae relations (Considered), Geographical residence (Not Considered), and Applicant's interest level (Important).

Same admissions standards are used for all online programs. UCF sometimes denies admittance to qualified applicants, but Admits applicants living abroad.

Application Deadlines

July 1 Application deadline (residents). Dec. 1 Application deadline (international students).

Notification of Admissions

On a rolling basis beginning Jan. 15.

Admissions & Enrollment Statistics

Average undergraduate GPA: 3.4. Entrants providing undergraduate GPA: 100%. Average GRE score breakdown: 149 verbal, 143 quantitative, 4 analytical writing. Entrants providing GRE scores: 2%.

Admission Requirements

Application essay required: No. Standardized test policy: GRE not used in admissions. Letters of recommendation: 2 Letters of recommendation from professional contacts. Criminal justice-related work experience requirement: No. Criminal justice-related undergraduate degree requirement: No. Criminal justice-related undergraduate course work requirement: No. TOEFL iBT Test required for international students: Require for some. Minimum TOEFL iBT Test score required: 80.

Financial Aid and Tuition

UCF Online offers an affordable alternative to earning a high-quality university degree.

Tuition Costs

Part-time tuition (per credit, in-state): $328. Part-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): $1,234. Full-time tuition (per credit, in-state): $328. Full-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): $1,234. Total program cost (full-time, in-state): $11,784. Total program cost (part-time, in-state): $11,784. Total program cost (full-time, out-of-state): $44,429. Total program cost (part-time, out-of-state): $44,429. Veterans pay in-state tuition. Same tuition is charged for all online programs. Employer sponsored new students: 5%.

Financial Aid Availability

College-funded aid (fellowships, assistantships, grants or scholarships) available: Yes. International students eligible for college-funded aid: Yes. Yellow Ribbon Program member: Yes. Yellow Ribbon Access: Limited, not first-come, first-served. Yellow Ribbon Funding: Limits or caps funding. Average debt of graduates who borrowed: $37,287. Proportion of graduates with debt: 58%.

Financial aid director: Karemah Manselle

Rankings and Recognition

Our online bachelor’s program is ranked #8 in the nation. We’re ranked No. News & World Report. At UCF, your degree will earn you more than a foot in the door. CJ’s programs will help you cultivate leadership skills and learn what it takes to build long-term career success in a field that demands integrity, leadership and expertise. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping you rise to the top of your field.

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