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Ready to find out what 海角直播 Denver can do for you? We鈥檝e got you covered.
There is so much more to this degree than catching bad guys.
As a student studying for a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology at 海角直播 Denver, you鈥檒l explore the cause and effects of criminal behavior and victimization from white collar crime and human trafficking to cybercrime and serial killings as well as study the three arms of America鈥檚 Criminal Justice system, law enforcement, courts and corrections. Plus, you will critically examine how social justice is administered in a diverse and global society, including the firsthand comparison of our system to that of the Netherlands, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
海角直播 Denver鈥檚 Criminal Justice and Criminology department has a substantial internship program that includes placements in probation and parole departments, public defender and district attorney offices, police departments, sheriff offices and other ancillary agencies such as halfway houses, safe houses and rape awareness and assistance programs.
Our Criminal Justice and Criminology faculty is as diverse as any in the nation, with each professor bringing substantial teaching and/or professional agency experience to their classrooms.
海角直播 Denver鈥檚 Criminal Justice and Criminology core curriculum is consistent with (ACJS) national standards for a criminal justice baccalaureate degree.
Recognized for their expertise, eight Criminal Justice and Criminology faculty members have been asked or elected to city- and state-level boards, including the Governor鈥檚 Colorado Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council, the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board, Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Denver Community Corrections Board, City of Denver Crime Control Commission and the Colorado Faculty Advisory Council.
海角直播 Denver is located on the near Downtown Denver. Its proximity to the City and County of Denver鈥檚 Criminal Justice departments, including the courts and jail, allows for easy access for students participating in internships with city agencies.
You may also have the opportunity to participate in Delta Gamma Xi, the Criminal Justice and Criminology honors society. Members strive to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research, elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions and sustain in the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training.
Overview
For the majority of Criminal Justice and Criminology majors, preparation revolves around entry into the workforce and occupations. A smaller proportion of Criminal Justice and Criminology majors and minors aspire to graduate education or law school, which indicates that we need a curriculum that is of high quality and efficient: focused on (a) basic conceptual and theoretical understandings, (b) methodological inquiry, (c) statistical/data analysis and (d) practical information. Elective courses reflect mainstream, substantive areas that are relevant to the field, and are also typical of courses offered by many other CJC programs in the United States.
Students have the opportunity to participate in internships from various criminal justice agencies throughout the Denver Metropolitan area including probation departments in various counties as well as municipalities. Other agencies include Colorado Parole Department, public defender offices, police departments, sheriff offices, and other ancillary agencies in Colorado such as half-way houses, safe houses, rape awareness and assistance programs, district attorney offices.
Criminal Justice and Criminology Major
The Criminal Justice and Criminology program at 海角直播 Denver offers a course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in CJC. This 120-credit degree appeals to students who are interested in working in the fields of: law, law enforcement, probation and parole, corrections or other related social service agencies. This degree also prepares students to undertake graduate school in criminal justice or other related fields as well as law schools.
The Criminal Justice and Criminology B.S. program also welcomes students returning to school who are interested in earning their degree to assist in furthering their career goals. Recognizing that many people who are interested in such education are already employed in some form of criminal justice work, and that many people have completed course-work at the community college level, the curriculum is also structured to facilitate transfer from two-year police science/criminal justice programs. The department has articulation agreements with Colorado community colleges to facilitate students to transfer from community colleges to 海角直播 Denver.
Students must meet 海角直播 Denver鈥檚 and the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology鈥檚 requirements for the bachelor鈥檚 degree, which includes the successful completion of General Studies courses, courses related to the Minor of your choice, and the core and elective courses available to all Criminal Justice and Criminology majors.
Degree Requirements for Criminal Justice and Criminology Majors
Students are required to take the Introduction to Criminal Justice System course (CJC 1010) as a pre-major requirement. This class cannot be counted towards their general studies requirements if you are a CJC major. If you are a CJC major, there are 21 hours of major core requirements to complete the major and 15 hours of area electives. There are an additional 9 hours of CJC electives required. In total, 45 credit hours are required for the CJC degree.
General Studies (33-36 Credits)
For more information on General Studies requirements and lists of courses that meet the requirements,聽visit 海角直播 Denver General Studies Program.
Ethnic Studies & Social Justice (ESSJ)聽
Senior Experience Requirement (3 Credits)
Criminal Justice and Criminology Pre-Major Requirement (3 Credits)
Criminal Justice and Criminology Major Core Requirements (21 Credits)
Criminal Justice and Criminology Area Electives (15 credits)
Police (Choose One)
Courts/Law (Choose One)
Corrections (Choose One)
Administration of Justice (Choose Two)
Criminal Justice and Criminology General Electives (9 credits)
General Electives
Additional Options
Any course from Tier II Area Electives not previously completed for course credit.
Disclaimer
This is a standard list: some courses may or may not be offered each semester, and this list is subject to change without notice.
罢丑别听聽provides the following information:
Important Note: Students, please make sure that when you select a degree, minor or concentration on the academic catalog website, that you are selecting the link to the correct academic year for you. You may use the drop-down box located at the top right side of the catalog website to select the correct year. For example, if you began your studies at 海角直播 Denver in Fall 2020, Spring 2021 or Summer 2021, you would select the 2020-2021 undergraduate catalog for accurate degree information, NOT the most recent academic catalog or another year. Please also ensure that if you are referring to a degree plan that it matches the year you started taking courses at 海角直播 Denver. If you have further questions about your degree information or degree progress, please reach out to your聽academic advisor.
Please click on the link below to visit the Internships & Volunteer Opportunities page.

As a Criminal Justice and Criminology graduate, you鈥檒l have a wide range of career opportunities (some that require post graduate degrees) with the most common jobs being:
The 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook lists the following examples of median salaries for Criminal Justice and Criminology careers, some that require a postgraduate degree:
Allison Cotton, Ph.D.
Professor Allison Cotton is a two-time Fulbright Scholar whose publications range in subject from issues related to the death penalty, eye-witness identifications, lethal behavior and expert witnesses to issues around race, class, gender and crime. She is author of 鈥淓ffigy: Images of Capital Defendants鈥 (2008, Lexington Books) and co-author of 鈥淐lass, Race, Gender & Crime: The Social Realities of Justice in America鈥 (6th edition, October 2024, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.)
Henry Jackson, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.A.
Professor Henry Jackson鈥檚 research interests explore the relationship among race, class and punishment as well as racial profiling. His work appears in the peer-reviewed journal Justice and Research Policy, McNair Scholars Research Journal and Crime and Justice in America: An Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies. He currently serves on the City of Denver鈥檚 Crime Prevention and Control Commission.
Denise Mowder, J.D., Ph.D.
Professor Denise Mowder is an attorney and former prosecutor in Oregon who, for over 10 years, specialized in prosecuting cases of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Her expertise is in trial practice, investigations and victim advocacy and her聽research focuses on the impact of current immigration law and the undocumented battered Latina woman and the wrongful conviction of the factually innocent.
The 海角直播 of Health & Human Sciences (CHHS) Outstanding Student Awards recognize the academic achievements of graduating students. These awards are presented to students who demonstrate emerging professional capabilities and potential for contributing to their professions and society.
Congratulations!
Criminal Justice & Criminology, B.S.
鈥淐oming into 海角直播 Denver as a freshman was very overwhelming, but once I found the CJC Department I was very confident going forward. I have really enjoyed becoming a CJC major, and the classes are all very challenging and relevant to issues faced in today鈥檚 world. The advising in the criminal justice department has really helped me stay on the right track and also has helped me reach out too many volunteer and internship opportunities.鈥
-Austin Miller
鈥淭he CJC program at 海角直播 Denver is definitely one of the best. The professors are what really make this program great for many different reasons. They are experienced in different areas of the Criminal Justice System so they are able to give different perspectives on the system. They make one-on-one connections with students and help students prepare for a very competitive job market. Their doors are always open to help the students in any way they can.鈥
-Brittany Kimmel
“The best part of the CJC program is the fabulous team of faculty! Each one of them has experience in different aspects of our field. The know what it takes to be successful in Criminal Justice and they want us to be successful, too!”
-Carlie Brockmann
Criminal Justice and Criminology graduates have been accepted for post-graduate study at the University of Kansas, University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver, among other higher education institutions.
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Academic Advisors
Phone: (303) 615-1099
CONTACT YOUR ADVISOROffice Location
We are located in the Administration Building, Suite 310.
Office Hours
Monday 鈥 Thursday 8:30 a.m. 鈥 4:30 p.m.
Friday (Virtual) 8:30 a.m. 鈥 4:30 p.m.
Mailing Address
Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Campus Box 10
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362
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