About

Are you interested in studying crime and criminal justice? Do you want a career in law enforcement, forensic, law, probation, or juvenile in agencies such as the FBI, NCIS, or U.S. Courts?

The East Carolina University Department of Criminal Justice's mission is to educate the next generation of criminal justice leaders. A criminal justice bachelor's degree prepares students for professional positions at the federal, state, or local levels in law enforcement, crime laboratory, court, correction, juvenile, or related fields. In fact, our graduates are found in criminal justice or law positions in government agencies, corporations, or offices around the world.

Students have the opportunity to learn about crime and criminal justice in the classroom, laboratory, and field. Using the latest instructional and practical applications, the program equips students with the knowledge and skill needed to be successful in the workplace or advanced education setting. For example, the forensic science lab features state-of-the-art software and equipment currently being used by law enforcement agencies. Hence, this caliber of education provides students with a competitive advantage upon graduation.

Our alumni work as law enforcement special agents, police officers, criminal investigators, forensic specialists, intelligence analysts, game wardens, judges, probation officers, correctional administrators, juvenile specialists, prosecutors, victim advocates, asset protection specialists, attorneys, and more.

ECU Advantage

East Carolina's Department of Criminal Justice has outstanding faculty with a broad spectrum of criminal justice and interdisciplinary expertise. Our award winning teacher-scholar faculty members are committed to student learning and success. As a student, you will study in a vibrant criminal justice department with diverse graduate and undergraduate majors, specialized programs, and distinguished alumni. Plus, our program offers extraordinary learning and leadership opportunities with the national criminal justice honor society, field experience, international study abroad, and independent study or research with faculty mentors.

Our bachelor of science degree gives students the skills needed to pursue a career or graduate degree in criminal justice, law, or related areas. Many of our undergraduates choose to continue their studies at ECU because we also offer a master's degree in criminal justice.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Scott M. Walfield (241 Rivers Building; 252-737-1558; walfields16@ecu.edu)

Criminal justice majors are expected to maintain an overall 2.0 GPA throughout the program and earn a C (2.0) or higher in all CRIM courses. Criminal justice majors must complete CRIM 2004 before enrolling in courses above CRIM 2999. 

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • POLS 1010 - National Government
  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
  • SOCI 2110 - Introduction to Sociology
2. Core - 18 s.h.
  • CRIM 1000 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 2004 - Crime and Criminality
  • CRIM 3700 - Race, Gender and Special Populations in the Criminal Justice System
  • CRIM 3800 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 3900 - Introductory Statistics for Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 4500 - Issues and Problems in Criminal Justice
3. Electives - 33 s.h.
    a. Criminology courses - 6 s.h.

    Choose from the following courses: 

    • CRIM 3003 - Drugs and Crime
    • CRIM 3400 - Introduction to Victimology
    • CRIM 3525 - Media and Crime
    • CRIM 3605 - White-Collar Crime
    • CRIM 4005 - Organized Crime
    • CRIM 4615 - Terrorism and Criminal Justice
    • CRIM 4620 - Transnational and Global Crime
    • CRIM 4625 - Crime and Health
    b. Justice systems courses - 6 s.h.

    Choose from the following courses: 

    • CRIM 2009 - Correctional Systems
    • CRIM 2012 - Police and Society
    • CRIM 3007 - Criminal Investigation
    • CRIM 3112 - Advanced Seminar in Law Enforcement
    • CRIM 3200 - The Juvenile Justice System
    • CRIM 3503 - Courts and Judicial Process
    • CRIM 3620 - Homeland Security
    • CRIM 4006 - Community Corrections
    c. Writing intensive course - 3 s.h.

    Students are required to complete one 3 s. h. writing intensive course in the major. Choose from the following courses:

    • CRIM 3501 - Criminal Procedure
    • CRIM 3502 - Legal Aspects of Corrections
    • CRIM 4300 - Criminal Justice Administration and Management
    d. Criminal justice courses above 2999 - 18 s.h.

    Choose from the below courses or courses listed in a, b, or c. 

      Crime analysis
      • CRIM 3150 - Introduction to Crime Analysis
      • CRIM 4150 - Introduction to Crime Mapping
      • CRIM 4250 - Applied Crime Analysis
      Diversity
      • CRIM 4602 - Gender-Based Violence
      • CRIM 4605 - Hate Crime
      • CRIM 5000 - Comparative Criminal Justice
      Forensic science
      • CRIM 3020 - Introduction to Forensic Science
      • CRIM 3022 - Crime Scene Investigation
      • CRIM 3023 - Forensic Impressions and Markings
      General criminal justice electives
      • CRIM 3006 - Security Systems
      • CRIM 3101 - Conflict Management
      • CRIM 3102 - Interviewing in Criminal Justice
      • CRIM 3500 - Principles of Criminal Law
      • CRIM 4004 - Criminal Justice History
      • CRIM 4330 - Field Education and Seminar I
      • CRIM 4450 - Accountability and Ethics in Criminal Justice
      • CRIM 4600 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice
      • CRIM 4660 - Field Education and Seminar II
      • CRIM 4990 - Field Education and Seminar III
4. Minor and/or general electives to complete requirements for graduation - 29 s.h.
    Note:

    If a student decides to select a minor to satisfy this requirement and the minor does not require a total of 29 semester hours, the student will be required to complete the minor and additional general electives. If a student decides not to select a minor to satisfy this requirement, the student will be required to complete 29 semester hours of general electives.

    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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