More about our degrees

The Seattle University Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics department offers you a wide variety of undergraduate degrees so that you can carve the career path of your choice.

  1. Academics
  2. All Programs
  3. Criminal Justice, BA & BS
  4. More About Our Degrees

The degree and specialization options are designed to meet your individual interests and to provide necessary preparation for particular careers and courses of graduate study. The BA with the specialization in Administration of Justice most closely reflects the traditional criminal justice degree offered at most universities.

The additional degree/specialization options require the same core coursework in criminal justice, criminology, criminal law, statistics, research methods, organizational theory, and criminal justice ethics while allowing you to complete important preparatory coursework for careers and graduate study that may require a stronger background in the physical sciences, psychology, and/or sociology than provided by the traditional criminal justice degree. Students pursuing the criminal justice degree to obtain entry into a particular position or graduate program should work closely with their advisor and should consult the agency minimum qualifications and/or graduate program requirements.

Departmental Honors, BA/BS

Engage in more extensive interaction with faculty and complete challenging individual research projects that will further your personal and professional goals.

BA, Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics

Pursue the focus of your choice.

  • Administration of Justice
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice Theory
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science

BS, Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics

Blend the arts and sciences, with two specializations to choose from.

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science

If you are interested in pursuing employment as a forensic scientist, the only degree/specialization option offered through the CJ Department that will prepare you for this is the BS/Forensic Science degree. Students pursuing this career route often choose to double major in a physical science and/or to go on to obtain graduate level training in forensic science in order to stand out in a highly competitive job market.

If your goal is to become a correctional counselor or PhD-level forensic psychologist, the BA or BS/Forensic Psychology specialization is a good choice. However, getting into a PhD graduate program in forensic psychology is highly competitive. To increase your candidacy for graduate school, consider a double major or minor in psychology. Many graduate schools in psychology require the GRE/Psychology subject test and/or specific psychology coursework as an entrance requirement. If you enjoy theory-based courses, plan to go to graduate school in a discipline or program that includes justice studies or criminology as part of a broader law and justice or sociology curriculum, and/or would like to minor in sociology, anthropology, or social work, the criminology and criminal justice theory specialization would be a good choice.

If you want a traditional criminal justice degree that provides a strong and broad foundation in law enforcement, courts, and corrections, choose the BA/Administration of Justice degree/specialization. Students interested in pursuing law enforcement, correctional custody, crime prevention/security, and law school tend to select this option.

If you are unsure of which degree/specialization option to select, choose the BA/Administration of Justice. You may change your degree/specialization at any time by contacting the Department Chair or Administrative Assistant.

Beyond the Classroom

Internships and Employment

Apply classroom learning to real-world situations so that, upon graduation, you can hit the ground running, taking on challenges and leadership roles effectively and successfully.

Police officer talking to student at a job and internship fair

Student and Faculty Research

You can deepen your research experience, working with faculty on projects addressing a wide variety of critical criminal justice issues and topics.

A man speaking at at Criminal Justice Advisory Event

Alpha Phi Sigma

The Pi Delta chapter of the criminal justice honor society offers a wide variety of benefits and integrates your academic experience with real life opportunities.

Criminal Justice Club

A group of students interested in and dedicated to the criminal justice process, system, workings, and issues. The club offers multiple avenues into the professional world through tours, meet and greets, brown bag lunches, speakers, networking events and more.

Criminal Justice Club meeting