Department of Criminal Justice

• Overview
• Faculty
• Majors
• Four Year Plans
• Minors
• Honors
• Courses

https://www.uab.edu/cas/criminaljustice/

Chair: Dr. Kent Kerley

The Department of Criminal Justice offers programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, a joint Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics, a Master of Science in Forensic Science, a joint Master of Science in Criminal Justice/Master of Public Administration, a joint Master of Science in Cyber Security. The Department also offers undergraduate minors in Forensics Science, Legal Affairs, a joint minor in Forensic Psychology and an interdisciplinary minor in Urban Affairs.  The department also sponsors category “A” and “B” graduate Certificate Programs in Computer Forensics.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice offers students broad academic exposure to the fields of criminal justice and criminology. It also provides students opportunities to take courses in computer forensics/cybercrime and forensic science. The primary mission of the program is to educate students by developing in them the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their careers, including:

1. Major theoretical explanations of crime/delinquency.
2. The logic and procedures associated with the research process, including understanding statistical analysis.
3. The substantive, procedural, and operational aspects of the criminal justice system and its processes.
4. Ethical foundations.

Each of these areas is developed through activities associated with specific courses in the curriculum as well as through an Internship/Capstone experience during the student’s senior year.

Undergraduate students interested in Forensic Science should consult the Master of Science in Forensic Science Program Director to learn more about the field. Students interested in the Legal Affairs minor should contact the Department Chair. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics or Forensic Psychology minor should contact the Department Chair.