About this Degree
The Criminal Justice Studies Program at the University of Georgia is an inter-disciplinary undergraduate degree program jointly administered by the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Public and International Affairs. The program provides students with a strong liberal arts education, with majors completing coursework in theory and research methods alongside specialized courses in criminal justice topics. Students also participate in a semester-long internship in a criminal justice agency. This internship is an academic practicum course in which students complete a research project of their own design and also complete a series of analytic essays in which they integrate their previous classroom learning with their experiences in the internship. As a result of this broad-based education, CJ Studies majors at UGA are prepared for a variety of careers in criminal justice and related fields.
What you will learn
The Criminal Justice Studies Program offers an interdiscipinary academic (as opposed to practitioner) program of study. Courses that count for the major were identified and endorsed by the Criminal Justice Studies Executive Committee. While the majority of the courses come from Sociology and Poltical Science other disciplines such as Psychology and Communications Studies are also represented.
Interesting Facts about this Degree or Program
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Careers in Criminal Justice related fields have a median annual salary of $57,000
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Study abroad opportunities for Criminal Justice majors include locations like the University of Liverpool in Northwest England.
Other Information about Degree or Program
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Scholarship and Award Information
The James T. “Tommy” Morris Fund was established in honor of Tommy Morris. Prior to his death at 62 he spent 34 years in the criminal justice field to include 22 years of service on the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. A native of Clarke County, Georgia he worked his way through college as an Athens police officer earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UGA. In 2002 his family established a fund in his name through the Criminal Justice Studies Program and the University of Georgia Foundation. Application materials are available from the program office each spring semester.
Sherry Lyons-Williams Scholarship
This need-based scholarship is designated for a major who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice. Applications are due during the spring term and the award is distributed with half of the funds given in the next fall term and the other half in the following spring term. Application materials are available early in the spring term at the Criminal Justice Studies Program Office, 221 Baldwin Hall, UGA.
This need-based scholarship is intended for a major who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice. Applications are due during the spring term. The award is distributed in equal installments the fall and spring semester of the following academic year.
Student Organizations
Employment Information
Possible Employers
| AETNA | Gymnastics Training Center |
| Insurance Company | Inst. for Family Centered Services |
| Athens Clarke County | Neal & Robinson, LLC |
| Belk Inc. | Nordstrom's Stores |
| BellSouth | Office of Child Support Services |
| Boeing Company | RBM of Atlanta |
| Cherokee Country Club | Republic Western Insurance Co. |
| Clarke County Solicitor General | State of Georgia |
| Cobb Co. Community Center | Stearns-Montgomery and Proctor |
| DeKalb County Schools | The ATF |
| Domestic Violence Shelter | The City of Perry |
| GA Bureau of Investigation | The University of Georgia |
| GA Dept. of Corrections | U.S. Capitol Police |
| GA State Probation Office | United States Air Force |
| Garcia, Rose, & Wiltshire, LLC | United States Air Force |
| Georgia Department of Public Safety | Weil, Gotchal, & Manges |
| Gwinnett County Schools | Wells Fargo Financial Corp |
| Amica |
There are a variety of career opportunities for students who study Criminal Justice. These include, but are not limited to, law enforcement at the local, state or federal level; state or federal probation or parole; corporate security; juvenile justice and services; criminal prosecution or defense; and, institutional corrections. Please note that some of these careers may require advanced degrees (e.g., J.D.) in addition to the A.B.; others may require formal and specialized training outside the scope of an undergraduate academic degree program.
- Accounts Representative
- Adjuster
- Assistant Facility Manager
- Benefits Specialist
- Border Patrol Agent
- Case Worker
- Contract
- Administration Rep
- Court Clerk
- Credit Manager
- Crime Scene Technician
- Deputy Sheriff
- Detective
- Enforcement Agent
- Family Services Coordinator
- Ground Maintenance
- Juvenile Probation Specialist
- Legal Advocate
- Legal Associate
- Loss Prevention Consultant
- Management Trainee
- Marketing Analyst
- Medical Examiner
- Paralegal
- Police Officer
- Probation Officer
- Real Estate Paralegal
- Social Worker
- Systems Consultant
- Victim's Advocate
- Weight Inspection Officer
- Possible Job Titles
