Crimial Justice professor teaching a class.
  • Program Type
    Major, Minor
  • Degrees Offered
    B.A., B.S.
  • School
    Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Prepare to be a force for good in the world through the criminal justice program at Mary. You will gain personal and humanitarian skills to effectively engage and serve your community as you work in law enforcement, the judicial and correctional system, or any other related field.

Need an Online or Evening Option?

You can earn your criminal justice bachelor’s degree entirely online.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll explore the major areas of criminal justice, including juvenile justice, criminology, law enforcement and law adjudication, corrections, facility and community corrections, homeland security, probation and parole, and private security.

Evaluate Different Approaches to Criminal Justice

You will discover the effectiveness of different approaches to criminal justice, including corrections, rehabilitation, and reform efforts. 

Strengthen Communication Skills

Criminal justice professionals need to communicate effectively, in both written and verbal forms, with a wide range of audiences.

Develop Professional Ethics and Responsibility

In a field charged with upholding safety and security, it’s essential to conform to the highest standards of professional behavior.

Gain Real-world Experience

You’ll have internship opportunities with local criminal justice organizations and facilities, including with federal, state, local, and private agencies.

Program Information

Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.

Careers & Outcomes

Employment Trends

Employment for graduates with criminal justice degrees will remain steady, as society’s focus on reducing crime increases and states look to alternative forms of corrections and rehabilitation.

Career Paths

  • Corrections officer
  • Crime lab analyst
  • Crime scene investigator
  • DEA agent
  • FBI agent
  • Forensic psychologist
  • Homeland security specialist
  • Private investigator
  • Business security manager
Word "opioids" highlighted in text.

Behavioral Science Students at UMary Receive Advanced Level of Training to Combat Opioid Overdoses

BISMARCK, ND — Knowing how to identify an opioid overdose and how to react quickly when it happens can mean the difference between life and death. Professionals in law enforcement, counseling, mental health, corrections, direct care and many more careers are on the front lines of these cases every

Read Moreabout Behavioral Science Students at UMary Receive Advanced Level of Training to Combat Opioid Overdoses

Featured Faculty

Chad E. Litton, PhD

Director of Criminal Justice Program

I am currently the Director of the Criminal Justice Program. I have also served served as Chair of the Social and Behavioral Science Division, Chair of the Human and Social Science Department, and President of the University of Mary Teaching Faculty Organization. I am the recipient of the 2006-2007 Outstanding Staff and Faculty Award as well as the 2007-2008 and 2016-2017 Regents Award for Teaching. Away from the university, I am an actor and director with Dakota Stage Limited and Capital Shakespeare.

Take Your Next Step in Criminal Justice