Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Widely considered one of the best college programs of its kind in the state of New York, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Hilbert College is designed to impart a deep understanding of key criminal, legal, scientific and social issues affecting society today, including hot-button issues surrounding race, ethnicity, and cultural and gender diversity.
You’ll build a solid foundation in criminology, research methods and ethics as you develop into a forward-thinking leader who prioritizes equity and justice. No matter your field of interest—from social services and juvenile justice to law enforcement and law making—our bachelor’s in criminal justice degree can help you make a difference for people and communities in an exciting and rewarding career.
Why Earn a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice?
Because a criminal justice degree is a social science degree, students develop skills beyond the core content area of criminal justice, including key skills in communication, critical thinking and analytical problem-solving. In addition, students develop a commitment to community service as well as ethical decision-making and behavior.
Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree can choose from diverse career paths because they have learned theory, practical knowledge and professional workplace skills.
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Want to become a lawyer but shave a year off your journey? The Hilbert College & UB Law School 3+3 Program allows you to earn both your bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor (JD) in just six years! Our 3+3 program saves you time and money while launching your legal career faster. Learn more about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
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Criminal Justice Department Mission
The mission of the Hilbert College Criminal Justice Department, a Franciscan institution, is to provide students with a challenging and relevant curriculum. Our program enhances professional and career skills in specialized fields by providing students with a well-rounded, yet content-focused educational experience. This is accomplished through a balanced course of study in liberal arts, career preparation, and the integration of multi-disciplinary coursework. In addition to discipline specific knowledge, the Criminal Justice Program cultivates student skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, research analysis, technology, and problem solving. Moreover, the program develops student character through a commitment to community service, personal accountability, global responsibility, cultural diversity, and the importance of lifelong learning.
Criminal Justice Concentrations
Crime Scene Investigations
Criminal Justice Degree Outcomes
The Criminal Justice Department is dedicated to the advancement of student education and provides a balanced liberal arts curriculum integrated with practical experience by:
- Students will develop oral and written communication skills to articulate Criminal justice topics.
- Students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the social and cultural diversity of society and how they impact the criminal justice system.
- Students will develop abilities in critical thinking, logical assessment and analytical problem solving which will be essential to work in the criminal justice field.
- Students will develop competencies in designing, analyzing and critiquing social research, and assessing data sources as needed which are relevant to the criminal justice field.
- Students will acquire specific knowledge consistent with a bachelor’s degree in this major in key subject areas as identified by national organizations, such as Academy of Criminal Justice Society (ACJS).
- Students will demonstrate and apply Franciscan values to ethical behavior and leadership needed in the 21st-Century.
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
Hilbert’s bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can be the springboard you need to get started in a broad range of career paths related to protecting people and communities and ensuring the legal system is fair and effective.
Whether you aspire to enter a professional field directly or use your bachelor’s degree as the foundation for advanced study leading to a graduate degree, our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program can serve you well.
Criminal Justice Degree Options
Hilbert College offers aspiring criminal justice professionals a variety of ways to get started in the field.
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Criminal justice majors may pursue the two-year Associate of Arts degree, allowing them to seek entry-level work in the criminal justice field.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Unlock additional career opportunities with our four-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, offered as either an on-campus program or
100% online.
Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Criminal Justice
This innovative program combines Bachelor of Science and Master of Science coursework into a “4+1” plan that lets students earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration in five years. Students can apply for admission to graduate school after completing all undergraduate degree requirements.
Learn More About Our 4+1 Program
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Career Paths
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can be your gateway to a variety of career opportunities, including:
- Police officer/detective
- Criminal investigator
- Private investigator
- Federal agent
- Fraud investigator
- Air marshal
- Probation officer
- Corrections officer
- Customs or border patrol officer
- Immigration officer
- Forensic accountant
- Security officer
Additional studies at the graduate level can open up even more pathways to the senior positions—and higher salaries—this field has to offer.
Contact Us
Have a question for Criminal Justice? Contact us.
Laura Dannebohm
Associate Professor;
Chair, Division of Law and Justice
142B Bogel Hall
Email Us
What Is the Typical Salary for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Graduate?
Here are some of the careers you may pursue with your criminal justice degree from Hilbert College, along with their median salaries:
Police Officer or Detective
Median annual salary: $66,020*
Criminal Investigator
Median annual salary: $83,640*
Probation Officer
Median annual salary: $60,250*
Border Patrol Agent
Median annual salary: $70,900**
Fraud Investigator
Median annual salary: $64,400**
Court Administrator
Median annual salary: $57,646**
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Job Outlook
Employment of protective service operations is projected to grow 2% from 2021 to 2031, resulting in about 72,600 new jobs over the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By far, the largest opportunity in this field will likely arise from the need to replace workers who retire or otherwise leave their jobs permanently. Taken together, growth and replacement needs will result in a sizable total of about 421,500 total job openings each year.
Why Choose Hilbert for Your Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree?
At Hilbert, we embrace our students as family and do everything we can to propel them to success academically and socially. As a student in our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, you will enjoy:
- Expert faculty with years of experience in their fields
- A 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, guaranteeing face time with your professors
- Internship opportunities to gain practical experience in real-world settings such as the U.S. Secret Service, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, local police departments and many others
- The opportunity to add a concentration to your criminal justice degree—choose from Corrections, Criminology, Family Violence, Investigations, Juvenile Justice, Police Management, Security and Generalist
- Academic skills workshops, one-on-one tutoring, learning strategies instruction and academic counseling to help you perform your best
- A dedicated Office of Career Development providing resources, knowledge and strategies to help you achieve your career potential
- More than 30 student organizations, clubs and honor societies, plus intramural and club sports
Ample service learning opportunities to give back to the community
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Hilbert College is carefully designed to provide students with a challenging and relevant curriculum through a balance of liberal arts, career preparation and the integration of multiple disciplines. In addition to discipline-specific knowledge, the criminal justice program cultivates students by developing critical thinking, oral and written communication, research, analysis, technological and problem-solving skills.
Our program develops student commitment in the areas of community service, personal accountability, global responsibility and cultural diversity. It stresses ethical decision-making, principled behavior and the importance of life-long learning, while facilitating professional and career development in specialized fields.
Your Academic Roadmap
Download our printable major maps to guide your college experience.
View Major Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the job options for those with a bachelor's in criminal justice degree?
Graduates of Hilbert’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program may pursue a wide variety of careers that offer competitive salaries and personal satisfaction. Careers available to graduates include police officer, detective, criminal investigator, probation or correctional officer, immigration officer, fraud investigator, security officer and more.
What is the typical salary for criminal justice majors?
The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s in criminal justice from a U.S. higher education institution was about $60,000 as of October 2022, according to Payscale.com.
How long does it take to earn your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice majors may pursue the two-year Associate of Arts degree, allowing them to seek entry-level work in the criminal justice field, or the four-year Bachelor of Science degree either on campus or online. Most students complete our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.
In addition, Hilbert offers the innovative combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program, a “4+1” plan that lets students earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration in five years.
What are the ways you can specialize your bachelor's degree in criminal justice?
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Hilbert have the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of areas of interest by choosing one of the following concentrations: Corrections, Criminology, Family Violence, Investigations, Juvenile Justice, Police Management, Security and Generalist.
Find out more about
your criminal justice concentration options.
Apply to the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Program at Hilbert College