Help ensure that justice is served – ethically, responsibly, and consistently.

The bachelor's degree in criminal justice at University of the Cumberlands provides a solid foundation in understanding the criminal justice system and the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and appropriate responses to deviant behavior. Through a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, you will be well prepared to become an ethical and effective professional in the field of criminal justice. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, corrections, or other related areas, our program equips you with the necessary tools for success.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your criminal justice degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an criminal justice associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a criminal justice bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice at Cumberlands is to provide an understanding of the roles of society and law enforcement, their interactions, and how to respond appropriately to deviant behavior.

Gain a core knowledge base in criminal justice.
Build your leadership and research skills, preparing you for graduate studies.
Develop an appreciation for the diversity of humanity and how cultural factors impact the criminal justice system.
Strengthen your critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
Cultivate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Criminal Justice Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Police & Detectives: $66,020

Police & Detectives: $66,020

Law enforcement officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions. 

Private Investigator: $59,380

Private Investigator: $59,380

Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters.

Forensic Science Technician: $61,930

Forensic Science Technician: $61,930

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. 

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegal: $56,230

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers.

Mediator: $49,410

Mediator: $49,410

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

A criminal justice degree from the University of the Cumberlands provides a comprehensive foundation in the U.S. criminal justice system, exploring its impact on society, the role of law enforcement, and the appropriate responses to deviant behavior. This program emphasizes leadership, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, preparing you to become an ethical and effective professional in the field.

At the University of the Cumberlands, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice typically requires 120 credit hours, which includes general education requirements, and usually takes about four years to complete. The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and can be completed in two years.

Yes, the University of the Cumberlands offers the criminal justice degree both on-campus and online, providing flexibility for students who need to balance their studies with other commitments. 

A criminal justice degree from the University of the Cumberlands is a valuable investment. It prepares you for a variety of careers in law enforcement, corrections, and other related fields. With a focus on ethical practices and critical thinking, graduates are well-equipped to serve society responsibly and effectively.

Graduates with a criminal justice degree from the University of the Cumberlands can pursue careers as police officers, detectives, lawyers, private investigators, forensic science technicians, paralegals, and mediators. The program’s curriculum ensures you are well-prepared for diverse roles within the criminal justice field.

To obtain a criminal justice degree from the University of the Cumberlands, you need to complete 120 credit hours for a bachelor's degree or 60 credit hours for an associate degree. The program is available both on-campus and online, and you can apply transfer and prior learning credits towards these totals.

Yes, criminal justice is considered a social science because it involves the study of societal responses to crime, the functioning of criminal justice institutions, and the impact of laws and policies on society.

The difficulty of a criminal justice degree can vary depending on your strengths and interests. The program at the University of the Cumberlands requires strong critical thinking, research, and writing skills, as well as an understanding of complex social and legal issues.

Criminal justice focuses on the systems and processes involved in the enforcement of laws, including law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Criminology, on the other hand, is the study of the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior. At the University of the Cumberlands, the criminal justice degree covers both aspects, providing a well-rounded education in the field.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Criminal Justice

You don't have to be a detective to learn more about our criminal justice professors. Discover more about them right here!

Dr. Shareeda Tyaire

Dr. Shareeda Tyaire

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice

Dr. Shareeda Tyaire

Contact Information

shareeda.tyaire [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Melissa Bundy

Melissa Bundy

Assistant Professor
Criminal Justice

Melissa Bundy

Contact Information

melissa.bundy [at] ucumberlands.edu
Faulkner Building
Dr. Harry Webster

Dr. Harry Webster

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice

Dr. Harry Webster

Contact Information

harry.webster [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote

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