Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on June 2, 2025.
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The criminal justice courses you’ll take during your undergraduate program cover a broad framework of knowledge and skills that may be broadly applicable across careers.
These core competencies typically include the following:
A criminal justice curriculum teaches students a wide range of knowledge in all major branches of the criminal justice system. In addition, students will have opportunities to refine their communication skills, become effective servant leaders and understand ethical decision-making. These specific skills can apply to most careers, including the criminal justice system.
A master’s degree in the criminal justice field will have a narrower focus than a bachelor’s degree, depending on the student’s preferred specialization. For instance, criminal justice master’s degree students may choose to focus on legal studies or law enforcement.
Students who earn a specialization in law enforcement will work through a curriculum that focuses on crime prevention, criminal behavior, crime analysis and the intersection of law and public policy. Students who earn a specialization in legal studies will explore topics like legal communication, legal research and best practices in consulting.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop hard and soft skills during your time as a criminal justice major. Some of the skills you may be taught include:
Law school is a popular destination for those who major in criminal justice. Do note, however, that there is no single major that is appropriate for law school. Law schools will consider applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds.2
If you do wish to go to law school, you might pursue entry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. It’s a good idea to research the requirements for the law schools you wish to apply to before enrolling in a baccalaureate program.
After graduating from law school, you will need to pass the Uniform Bar Exam in order to become a licensed lawyer. Some types of lawyers need additional qualifications. For example, aspiring patent lawyers need an academic background in science or engineering, and they need to pass an exam administered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.2
Criminal justice can be a good major if you’re interested in examining a knowledge base and skill set that can be applicable to a wide range of careers. A major in criminal justice can lay a foundation for pursuing an entry-level career or for continuing your education at the graduate level or at a professional school.
Is criminal justice a good major for you? It may be helpful to understand the potential impact of your future career. You may decide to pursue a career in law enforcement. Alternatively, working in the court system or in law practices could be a good option if you don’t see yourself as a future officer. Another possibility is a career behind the scenes working on public policy that affects the judicial system.1 An emphasis in public administration would be the best fit for a path like this.
The criminal justice system comprises three main branches with many different divisions. The three major branches are law enforcement, the court system and corrections organizations. When considering your career choices, it may be helpful to narrow your options down to one of the branches and then take a look at individual career paths.
You should major in criminal justice if you have an interest in the justice system and a desire to pursue a related career. The justice field encompasses an incredibly diverse range of career options, including entry-level options and mid- to late-career options that may require additional education or experience. There are also options to switch careers to a different pathway in the criminal justice field.
Why study criminal justice if you aren’t quite sure about your career path yet? You might be attracted to it because it’s a versatile choice. This major teaches a range of transferable skills that can be applicable to a variety of career fields.
Course content includes criminal behavior, ethics in criminal justice and crime prevention.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can serve as an excellent starting point for specializing in one of the three branches of criminal justice: law enforcement, the courts and corrections. For example, you may decide to apply to a police academy after earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice degree, pursue further education to become a paralegal or court administrator or seek a position as a probation officer. Each branch offers unique career paths and opportunities to serve your community.1
Earning a master’s degree can help you position yourself for potential career advancement. By furthering your education in criminal justice, you can more closely examine important subjects like constitutional rights under the law, including due process, equal protection and freedom of speech and religion.
Prepare for a career in the criminal justice field by enrolling as an undergraduate in Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree program. If you already hold an undergraduate degree, consider applying to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement degree or the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies program. For the working professional, these programs are offered online as an alternative to weekly evening courses.
To learn more about these programs and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, fill out the form on this page.
Explore Your Options in Criminal Justice
Prepare for a diverse range of career paths as a criminal justice major at GCU!
There is a wide range of career possibilities that students with a focus in criminal justice may pursue, depending on the general or specialized content in the degree program. Some of these career fields may require a master’s degree or additional education and training.
Is criminal justice a good major to become a lawyer? Yes, it’s one possibility,1 although you’ll also need to go to law school and pass the bar exam following your undergraduate degree.2
Other career paths may require other types of education or training beyond a baccalaureate degree.
Some examples of career options related to criminal justice include the following:1,3
