The courses offered in the Justice Studies program are designed to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation from which they can address current issues facing the criminal justice field. The skills focused on in the different emphasis areas (Criminal Justice Administration or Intelligence Studies) have been purposefully selected to enable students to succeed as a criminal justice practitioner and leader, enhance employment and career opportunities, and for those in the Intelligence Studies emphasis, prepare students to work in the intelligence field.
Students pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and pursue a variety of assignments. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will provide a pathway for moving into a leadership position or a specialty assignment.
Students pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and work in the intelligence and homeland security areas. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will provide a pathway for moving into intelligence-led policing, leading intelligence groups or other intelligence-related assignments within the criminal justice field.
This degree provides a criminal justice foundation and then allows for a specialization in criminal justice administration or intelligence studies. By learning from the top practitioners in the field, you will gain first-hand knowledge of popular criminal justice areas, such as juvenile justice, the court system, criminal justice leadership, ethics, forensics, intelligence studies, corrections, terrorism and legal issues for justice administrators.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Optional |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor’s in Justice Studies provides online and distance-learning students with a professional, criminal justice-focused education that prepares students to ethically work and lead in the fields of criminal justice and intelligence studies.
To help students reach their education and career goals, all Justice Studies faculty members have advanced degrees and extensive experience in the criminal justice or intelligence fields, specializing in areas, such as, criminal justice investigations, police leadership, community policing, drug investigations, federal law enforcement, corrections, intelligence-led policing, military intelligence, cyber crime, and the law.
Students complete core courses in ethics, leadership, criminal justice, criminology, the justice system and effective writing. They then move on to tailoring their degree to their individual interests by selecting elective courses in criminal justice administration or intelligence studies.
The emphasis in criminal justice administration ensures students develop an in-depth knowledge of their areas of interest within the criminal justice system, such as juvenile justice, mentally ill offenders, employment law, forensics and crime control. This emphasis also helps students use critical thinking to connect theoretical concepts with practical criminal justice situations; a necessary skill for success in the criminal justice field.
The emphasis in intelligence studies focuses on preparing students to identify, analyze and disseminate intelligence information for the purpose of investigating all forms of criminal activity, including terrorism. To ensure students are prepared to work in the current environment, courses also expose students to a variety of contemporary topics in the intelligence field, such as the promotion of terrorist ideologies through social media, the psychology of terrorism and counterintelligence strategies.
In addition to working in the criminal justice field, many graduates choose to build upon their critical thinking, criminal justice and leadership courses by pursuing advanced degrees in criminal justice, leadership or the law.
Student Learning Outcomes
Core Outcomes:
Complete the following 15 units with a Grade of "C" or better:
Select one Emphasis
Complete 21 units with a Grade of "C" or better.
Criminal Justice Administration Emphasis (21 units)
Communication Requirements (6 units)
Choose 6 units in the following two categories.
Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.
Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)
Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):
AND
Computer Literacy (6 units)
This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.