Criminal Justice and Criminology, Online BS
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology degree. This program is ideal for working professionals, such as police officers and crime analysts, who want to complete a bachelor’s degree while continuing to work.
Through the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, the criminal justice and criminology program combines academic training with practical applications for a well-rounded education. You’ll explore criminological theories, law enforcement strategies, corrections practices and the judicial system, all to help you advance in your career or start new opportunities.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per credit: $350 (Total cost: $42,000*)
Credit hours: 120 (45 credits in major)
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
Online
Why Study Criminal Justice & Criminology at UWM?
- Receive academic credit for your field experience and training as a working professional or community service officer.
- Take courses taught by faculty members who instruct in-person and online classes.
- Benefit from UWM’s powerful professional connections throughout the state’s law enforcement, court and corrections systems.
- Gain in-demand data analysis skills with UWM’s crime analysis specialization.
- Get a head start on a master’s degree in criminal justice and criminology. Learn more about UWM’s accelerated program.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, so students can easily fit their college education into their busy schedules.Financial Aid
Utilizing federal aid programs and many other funding opportunities, we strive to make the online criminal justice degree accessible. Our Office of Student Financial Services can provide detailed cost information and assist you with applying for financial aid.
Scholarships
UWM offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities to help offset the cost of your education. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need or a combination of both.
Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your degree.
Admissions
You must meet UWM’s general admission requirements to be considered for admission to the criminal justice bachelor’s degree.
Curriculum
UWM’s online criminal justice degree has an interdisciplinary curriculum that considers criminal behavior, policy analysis and legal foundations. At the same time, our criminology courses equip you with the professional skills to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
While the criminal justice and criminology program is designed for completion in four years, you can accelerate your timeline by taking courses during summer terms or pursuing your degree part-time. This allows you to balance your studies with work and personal responsibilities.
Courses
Gain a solid foundation in policy, social welfare and crime. By mastering these core concepts, you’ll know how to navigate the criminal justice system and contribute meaningfully to promoting justice and public safety.
- CRM JST 110: Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRM JST 271: Introduction to Policing
- CRM JST 273: Introduction to Corrections
- CRM JST 275: Introduction to Criminal Courts
- CRM JST 305: Criminological Theory and Policy
- CRM JST 310: Race, Crime and Criminal Justice
- CRM JST 662: Methods of Social Welfare Research
- CRM JST 663: Criminal Justice Capstone Seminar
- INFOST 370: Data Analysis and Visualization for the Information Professional
Advising
Careers
The versatility of a criminal justice bachelor’s degree ensures job opportunities in a wide range of criminal justice related fields. These include law enforcement, criminal investigation, data analysis, forensic science, policy development, social justice and victim advocacy.
Recent graduates of UWM’s criminal justice and criminology program have secured positions as:
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Crime Analyst
- Crime Intelligence Manager
- Data Analyst
- FBI Agent
- Investigator
- Police Department Chief
- Police Detective
- Police Sergeant
- Policy Analyst
- Victim Advocate
For those seeking to further their education, the criminal justice and criminology major provides a seamless pathway to UWM’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology degree. This graduate-level degree offers opportunities for deeper specialization and career advancement within the criminal justice field.