Program Overview
Prepare for a meaningful career in criminal justice, public safety, advocacy, emergency response, law enforcement, and related fields with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Alabama. This undergraduate program helps students understand the systems, practices, and responsibilities that shape justice, safety, ethics, and public service. The BA/BS in Criminal Justice includes general education coursework, major core requirements, criminal justice electives, cognate coursework, and a required minor, second major, or second degree.
Why Choose This Program?
- Study criminal justice from multiple perspectives. Students explore criminology, ethics, legal liabilities, research methods, and criminal justice practice.
- Prepare for public service and related careers. Students can pursue roles in law enforcement, corrections, courts, security, emergency management, advocacy, and related fields.
- Develop a broad academic foundation. Students complete courses in areas such as government, psychology, sociology, or social problems as part of the degree requirements.
Curriculum & Coursework
The Criminal Justice major includes foundational coursework in government, psychology, sociology, or social problems; computer applications or problem-solving; core criminal justice courses; research coursework; and 21 hours of Criminal Justice electives. Students must also complete an additional minor, second major, or second degree.
Sample Courses:
- CJ 250 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 323 Criminology
- CJ 326 Professional Ethics and Legal Liabilities
- CJ 440W Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Career Paths & Outcomes
Criminal Justice graduates can pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, public safety, emergency management, advocacy, security, government service, social services, and related fields. The program also supports students who plan to pursue law school or graduate study after completing their bachelor’s degree.
Common Career Paths:
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Criminal Investigator
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Corrections officer
- Court professional
- Paralegal
- Risk management consultant
- Emergency management professional
- Criminal justice researcher
Student Experience
Criminal Justice students build knowledge through undergraduate coursework in criminology, ethics, legal liabilities, research methods, criminal justice electives, and related social science courses. The program gives students a foundation for professional roles in justice and public service while helping them develop communication, research, reasoning, and applied problem-solving skills.
Opportunities Include:
- Criminal Justice electives
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Research Practicum in Criminal Justice
- Related minors or second majors
- Law and public service-related career preparation
- Faculty advising
- Applied research and writing experiences
Meet the Faculty
Ms. Lilia Gueorguieva Alexander
Online Adjunct, Political Science and Criminal Justice
lalexander2@una.edu
Dr. Wayne P. Bergeron
Director, North Alabama Public Service Training Center; Security and Emergency Management Program Coordinator; Professor of Criminal Justice
wpbergeron@una.edu
Mr. Bradley Carlton Bolton
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice
bcbolton@una.edu
Ms. Haley Brewer
Senior Administrative Assistant
hbrewer5@una.edu
Mr. Michael Dean Carney
Online Adjunct, Security and Emergency Management
mcarney@una.edu
Dr. J. Tim Collins
Associate Professor of Political Science
jtcollins@una.edu
Dr. Quinn T. Gordon
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
qgordon@una.edu
Ms. Angela King Hamilton
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice and Political Science
ahamilton3@una.edu
Dr. Justin J. Joseph
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
jjoseph@una.edu
Mr. Matthew Boyce Kelly
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice
mkelly2@una.edu
Ms. Angela Mansell
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice
amansell@una.edu
Judge William Isaac Powell
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice
wpowell@una.edu
Dr. Christopher Purser
Criminal Justice Undergraduate Coordinator and Professor of Criminal Justice
cpurser@una.edu
Ms. Tammy D. Rhodes
Director of First Year Experience and Adjunct of Criminal Justice
tdrhodes@una.edu
Lt. Mark Jonathan Senf
Adjunct of Criminal Justice
msenf@una.edu
Ms. Tai Sullivan Sporn
Adjunct of Criminal Justice
tchristian@una.edu
Dr. Suzanna Taylor
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, Forensics/Crime Scene Investigation Program Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
staylor@una.edu
Ms. Candace Dawn Treece
Online Adjunct, Criminal Justice
ctreece@una.edu
Dr. Royce B. Woodruff
Online Adjunct, Security and Emergency Management
rwoodruff@una.edu
[UNA: Please confirm faculty copy and preferred featured faculty/contact.]
