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SPIA Professor Susan Haire teaching her research methods during a criminal justice class in one of the classrooms in Candler Hall.

Criminal Justice - A.B.

About this Degree

The Criminal Justice Studies Program at the University of Georgia is an inter-disciplinary undergraduate degree program jointly administered by the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public and International Affairs. The program provides students with a strong liberal arts education, with majors completing coursework in theory and research methods alongside specialized courses in criminal justice topics. Students also participate in a semester-long internship in a criminal justice agency. This internship is an academic practicum course in which students complete a research project of their own design and also complete a series of analytic essays in which they integrate their previous classroom learning with their experiences in the internship. As a result of this broad-based education, CJ Studies majors at UGA are prepared for a variety of careers in criminal justice and related fields.

What you will learn

The Criminal Justice Studies Program offers an interdiscipinary academic (as opposed to practitioner) program of study. Courses that count for the major were identified and endorsed by the Criminal Justice Studies Executive Committee. While the majority of the courses come from Sociology and Poltical Science other disciplines such as Psychology and Communications Studies are also represented.

Morris Scholarship

The James T. “Tommy” Morris Fund was established in honor of Tommy Morris. Prior to his death at 62 he spent 34 years in the criminal justice field to include 22 years of service on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.  A native of Clarke County, Georgia he worked his way through college as an Athens police officer earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UGA.  In 2002 his family established a fund in his name through the Criminal Justice Studies Program and the University of Georgia Foundation. Application materials are available from the program office each spring semester.

Sherry Lyons-Williams Scholarship

This need-based scholarship is designated for a major who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice. Applications are due during the spring term and the award is distributed with half of the funds given in the next fall term and the other half in the following spring term. Application materials are available early in the spring term at the Criminal Justice Studies Program Office, 221 Baldwin Hall, UGA.

McCarthy Scholarship

This need-based scholarship is intended for a major who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice. Applications are due during the spring term. The award is distributed  in equal installments the fall and spring semester of the following academic year.

More Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards

There are a variety of career opportunities for students who study Criminal Justice. These include, but are not limited to, law enforcement at the local, state or federal level; state or federal probation or parole; corporate security; juvenile justice and services; criminal prosecution or defense; and, institutional corrections. Please note that some of these careers may require advanced degrees (e.g., J.D.) in addition to the A.B.; others may require formal and specialized training outside the scope of an undergraduate academic degree program.

  • Accounts Representative
  • Adjuster
  • Assistant Facility Manager
  • Benefits Specialist
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • Case Worker
  • Contract
  • Administration Rep
  • Court Clerk
  • Credit Manager
  • Crime Scene Technician
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Detective
  • Enforcement Agent
  • Family Services Coordinator
  • Ground Maintenance
  • Juvenile Probation Specialist
  • Legal Advocate
  • Legal Associate
  • Loss Prevention Consultant
  • Management Trainee
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Medical Examiner
  • Paralegal
  • Police Officer
  • Probation Officer
  • Real Estate Paralegal
  • Social Worker
  • Systems Consultant
  • Victim's Advocate
  • Weight Inspection Officer
  • Possible Job Titles

Possible Employers

AETNA Gymnastics Training Center
Insurance Company Inst. for Family Centered Services
Athens Clarke County Neal & Robinson, LLC
Belk Inc. Nordstrom's Stores
BellSouth Office of Child Support Services
Boeing Company RBM of Atlanta
Cherokee Country Club Republic Western Insurance Co.
Clarke County Solicitor General State of Georgia
Cobb Co. Community Center Stearns-Montgomery and Proctor
DeKalb County Schools The ATF
Domestic Violence Shelter The City of Perry
GA Bureau of Investigation The University of Georgia
GA Dept. of Corrections U.S. Capitol Police
GA State Probation Office United States Air Force
Garcia, Rose, & Wiltshire, LLC United States Air Force
Georgia Department of Public Safety Weil, Gotchal, & Manges
Gwinnett County Schools Wells Fargo Financial Corp
Amica  

 

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