Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Learn how the criminal justice system works with the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. You’ll form a deep understanding of its complex history, policies and societal implications.

The 123-credit Criminal Justice BA undergraduate program emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking so you gain an understanding of the nature of crimes, including why and how they’re committed. You’ll also learn to evaluate the effectiveness and fairness of the ways in which society prevents, controls and responds to crimes. 

Through multidisciplinary coursework and practice-focused immersive opportunities, you’ll learn how the criminal justice system is tied to other areas of society, such as healthcare and education systems. You will study issues such as fairness in sentencing, mass incarceration, police legitimacy, victims’ rights and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society. Through Temple’s internationally renowned Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to meaningfully understand the lives of prisoners. 

Students who earn the Criminal Justice BA are not only informed members of society, but are well prepared for advanced education in a range of fields that address criminal justice issues, such as law, public health, social work, public policy and sociology. They are also prepared for careers in criminal justice fields, including government and law enforcement agencies, public defense, victim and criminal advocacy organizations, and more. 

Temple students pay close attention to a class discussion.

Classes & Curriculum

The Criminal Justice Major curriculum is comprised of College of Liberal Arts general requirements, major-specific requirements and general electives. 

The following courses are required to complete the bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. 

  • Criminal Justice Research Methods
  • Criminal Justice Statistics
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Introduction to Criminal Law
  • Nature of Crime

Learn more about Criminal Justice Major required courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

Criminal Justice 4+1 BA/MA Program

High-achieving undergraduate students will be invited by the faculty of the Criminal Justice department to apply for the 4+1 BA/MA program. During the last three undergraduate semesters, students admitted to this program begin taking graduate courses along with their undergraduate curriculum. They then complete the remaining requirements of the Criminal Justice MA in the subsequent year. Eligible students will receive a notification at the end of their sophomore year, and applications will be accepted until Oct. 7 of their junior year.

Learn more about the Criminal Justice 4+1 program.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $18,864.00 per year
Out-of-state: $33,912.00 per year

LA-CJ-BA