Criminal justice degree

The justice studies specialization explores issues of inequality, injustice and social change in order to improve justice in society. This interdisciplinary specialization includes criminal justice courses that address how to ensure fairness, promote safety and strengthen communities through the justice system.

In addition, students in this specialization will take courses in four topics through other departments to learn more about justice in society.

1. Social identities
2. Ethics and rights
3. Conflict and resolution
4. Institutions, systems and global justice issues

The Justice Studies specialization encourages systematic, creative and critical thinking to give students the experiences, skills and knowledge to live and work in a diverse society, so as to make both the criminal justice system and society fairer, more inclusive and better for all.

The interdisciplinary Law and Justice Specialization concentrates on the context of law and justice in a heterogeneous society including coursework in law and justice theory and policy as well as practical courses in legal research and writing and coursework in other disciplines such as philosophy. This track largely attracts students interested in the context of law in a diverse society and a variety of careers.

The Accelerated B.A./M.A. combination degree option allows undergraduate students to pursue coursework to complete their Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts criminal justice degrees in five years. This accelerated program employs a curriculum that allows students to complete 120 undergraduate-level credits and 30-36 graduate-level credits in five years. Undergraduate students begin graduate-level coursework in their fourth year. The program culminates in either a thesis or non-thesis M.A. degree suitable for students pursuing careers in law enforcement or courts administration, or further study in a law school or doctoral program outside the University of Nevada, Reno. The courses in criminal justice cover a full range of the discipline, both in terms of substance and methodology.

Students apply for admission to the accelerated program in the Spring semester of their third year at the University of Nevada, Reno. Students in the accelerated program complete social science degrees preparing them for advanced criminal justice careers, criminal justice doctoral programs and law school.

The accelerated B.A. and M.A. in criminal justice program is recommended for students who desire an advanced understanding of the criminal justice system, law and related areas. The accelerated program is not intended to serve as a professional training program; rather it is an academically centered program that focuses on the ethical, administrative, scientific and behavioral aspects of the criminal justice system and its various parts. All students must complete a core of required courses that focus broadly on the criminal justice system and its components. The accelerated B.A. and M.A. in criminal justice program focuses on the criminal justice system, its components, and administration, criminological theory and issues of theory, diversity, myth and ethics.

Request more information about the accelerated program