Criminal Justice

Two students working on crime scene and one student holding crime scene camera

Program Overview

Apply your critical reasoning skills. Understanding the choices or motivations that lead people to engage in criminal behavior is important for society. The Criminal Justice program combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills in crime scene investigation and documentation, forensic photography, blood pattern analysis, fingerprinting, and latent fingerprinting from law enforcement, criminology, social justice, public administration, law, and corrections to provide a thorough understanding of the United States criminal justice system. 

The Criminal Justice program offers certificates and degrees which prepare you for entry-level careers in federal law enforcement, state and local police work, probational parole, and /or corrections. The program also prepares you to continue your criminal justice studies through a transfer opportunity at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS).

Course Delivery and Structure

Most Criminal Justice courses are offered on-campus and online in alternating semesters. See Class Schedules for information about the many courses offered online and in the evenings.

All courses shown in the Catalog for each individual degree program are required. Courses should be taken in the sequential order shown in the Graduation Map.

Degrees and Certificates

Degrees for Transfer - Start Here / Finish There or Online

Degrees and Certificates for Active Law Enforcement

The Criminal Justice program, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute, provides the General Education courses for these degrees free-of-charge to active law enforcement in Garland County.

Crime Scene Investigation

Law Enforcement Administration

Job Opportunities

  • Corrections Officer
  • Court Clerk
  • Crime Scene Technician
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Detention Officer
  • Investigator
  • Police Officer
  • Rehabilitation Specialist
  • State Police Trooper
  • 911 Operator