Program Details
Criminology & Criminal Justice BS
Bachelor of ScienceLongwood University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The objective of the criminology and criminal justice major is to prepare students for work in the criminal justice system, including jobs in local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and probation and parole. The major also is appropriate preparation for graduate study in the social sciences and law. The major gives students a strong foundation in criminology and sociology while simultaneously emphasizing how academic knowledge can be applied in occupational settings. Skills can be developed in oral and written communication, critical thinking, scientific research methods, statistics and computerized data analysis.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This major is writing and speaking intensive. Many careers in the field of criminology and criminal justice require interaction with the public and the justice system through written documents and oral communication. Often these are governed by strict policies and procedures. Thus, building these skills through the curriculum provides a good foundation for success in the field. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
To begin courses in Criminal Justice and Criminology, students must take Introduction to Criminal Justice. After this introductory course is complete, students begin a sequence of 200 level required courses in courts, policing, and corrections. Completion of these courses prepares students to engage with junior and senior level 300-400 level courses that are both required and elective courses. Students who transfer in often find that many of their criminal justice courses go to electives in the major or general electives at the university if they have course descriptions that line up with our upper level requirements such as a 200 level constitutional law class. This will not satisfy our 400 level constitutional law class because of the difference in instructional level between a 200 level course and a 400 level course.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students in this program often double major in psychology, sociology or political science. Minors include homeland security, cybersecurity, psychology, sociology, accounting, political science, foreign languages, and statistics. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | The program has a high degree completion rate of four years for new incoming freshmen and 2-3 years for transfer students. Graduates of the program are employed in a wide range of Criminal Justice professions including policing at the local, state, and federal level, data and intelligence analyst positions, crime analyst positions, fraud investigations, probation, and victim advocate positions. Many graduates continue to post graduate studies in law and public policy. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Longwood University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | If you earn a transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) from one of the Virginia community colleges or Richard Bland College and you are admitted to Longwood, you are guaranteed completion of all Foundation-level courses as well as the Integrating World Languages Perspectives-level course associated with Civitae (Longwood’s core curriculum program). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | http://www.longwood.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credits/transfer-equivalency-system/ |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Longwood is a mid-sized university where students enjoy the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time professors in Virginia and a residential academic community that offers students the full university experience. Class sizes are smaller than average--our Civitae Core Curriculum classes are capped at 25 students--throughout our more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations. With seven on-campus residence halls and two university-managed apartment complexes, students live, learn, and grow together in a true community. Opportunities for students to be involved are the hallmark of the Longwood experience. From service organizations and Greek life to club sports and a long list of clubs based on interests and activities, there is something for everyone at Longwood. Each semester, an involvement fair helps students find organizations that are the right fit for them to make their time at Longwood even more meaningful. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Transfer students may choose the catalog in effect at the time they enroll or the one that applies to continuous full-time students at their class level. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | New students join the catalog year in effect during their first matriculating semester. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students transferring from an institution with a transfer agreement are guaranteed admission to Longwood when they have finished their transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are admitted prior to earning the transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and complete the degree before enrolling at Longwood also will receive the articulation benefits upon submission of an official transcript. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Criminal Justice, A.A.S (formerly Administration of Justice, A.A.S.) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Criminal Justice Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BA in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Major in Administration of Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Online Program) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Online |
| Bluefield University | BA in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Bluefield University | BS in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Criminal Justice, Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Criminal Justice Forensic Investigation | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 33-1011.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers. | Protective Service Occupations |
| 33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. | Protective Service Occupations |
| 19-4099.00 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4099.01 | Quality Control Analysts | Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4099.03 | Remote Sensing Technicians | Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete