We offer a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice, providing students the opportunity to discover, arrange and make sense of facts about crime systematically. Students will gain an empirical understanding of the factors that influence individuals’ decision-making practices within various criminal justice institutions, including programs designed to prevent crime, meet the needs of victims and rehabilitate criminals. These institutions and programs include the police, courts, probation and parole systems, correctional institutions, community-based programs and social/human service agencies. Also, the degree has a strong emphasis on the behavioral and societal aspects of criminal behavior. Attention is also given to how we count, measure and explain crime rates, why and how crime rates differ across populations and the various tools criminologists use to predict and explain seemingly random and unexplainable behaviors. The issues examined in our courses are plucked straight from the headlines of the news of our day—issues that desperately need the attention of students who are willing to devote their life’s work to something greater than themselves.

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognize the various components of the criminal justice system, their functions and the various activities that are carried out by these components and by related social service agencies.
  • Identify a variety of theoretical and applied explanations of crime and criminal behavior, as well as societal and criminal justice responses.
  • Recognize that criminal justice activities can be examined from multiple points of view and to become more familiar with the range of these experiences, including those of women and minorities.
  • Demonstrate baccalaureate written communication, oral communication and critical thinking skills.
  • Critically evaluate a wide range of research.
  • Employ research methods appropriate to the discipline to understand and investigate current research problems.

Quick Facts

Format
Online, On-campus
Duration
4 years
Credit Hours
120

Calendar

Don't miss an important date or deadline

Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar

Now Enrolling

Apply by Date:
May 15, 2025

Start Date:
August 22, 2025

Apply Today!

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Tuition & Aid

UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.

 

Value of a UIS Degree

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UIS is No. 5 for students graduating with the least amount of debt, Midwest Region (2021).

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Top 25 best value school, Midwest Region, and the only public university in Illinois on the list (2022, 2023, 2024).

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98% of students receive aid

The average graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 - $69,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

< High School
$26,800
High School
$36,600
Bachelor's
$68,300
Master's
$87,200
Doctorate
$105,600

Admissions

Applying to UIS is simple

We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.

 

Review admission requirements

No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.

International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.

Complete your application

An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.

Send your official transcripts

Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Submit required statements/writing sample

If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on you're application status page.

Pay your application fee

You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.

Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;

International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.

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Voted No. 1 public regional university in Illinois
2020 - 2024

Courses & Catalog Information

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Career Opportunities

Exploring the following career paths can help you see how your degree opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities in various fields.

  • Airport Security Officer
  • Body Guard
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • Child Support Agency Worker
  • CIA Agent
  • Community Service Coordinator
  • Compliance Manager
  • Corrections Officer
  • Counselor
  • Court Administrator
  • Court Clerk
  • Criminal Investigator
  • Customs Agent
  • Deportation Officer
  • Deputy Marshall
  • Discrimination Investigator
  • Drug Enforcement Agent
  • Employment Agency Recruiter
  • FBI Agent
  • Fish & Game Warden
  • Industrial Security Specialist
  • Lawyer
  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Military Officer
  • Naval Investigator
  • Paralegal
  • Park Ranger
  • Police Officer
  • Postal Service Investigator
  • Pre-Trial Services Officer
  • Prison Warden
  • Private Security Officer
  • Probation & Parole Officer
  • Public Safety Officer
  • Secret Service Agent
  • Sheriff
  • US Marshall
  • Victim Services Specialist
  • Youth Advocate
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