Psychology and Criminal Justice, Dual BA

Criminal Justice is a discipline that attempts to identify and explain patterns of criminal behavior, as well as analyze society’s ability to control crime and delinquency. It emphasizes the study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice degree program utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to capture both the academic liberal arts emphasis and the professional and policy knowledge required to educate criminal justice professionals.

Psychology opens the door to one of the most challenging and rewarding professional fields today. Psychology students learn the necessary skills to assist people in improving their mental health; they also gain knowledge and abilities that are valued in many other fields, such as business and politics. Psychology degree programs provide graduates with the skills and tools they need to be successful in a variety of challenging careers. Students who choose to obtain a psychology degree will be prepared for a wide variety of professional opportunities and not just in psychology. Those with an educational background in psychology can apply their knowledge and skills to many different professional specializations.

The dual Bachelor of Arts degree program in Psychology and Criminal Justice is designed to make it easier for students to complete these two majors simultaneously (in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences and School of Public Affairs, respectively).

Policies and Procedures

Refer to the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences section  and School of Public Affairs section  of this academic catalog for the eligibility criteria, policies, and procedures relevant to this program.

General Requirements

• A minimum of 120 hours must be completed with a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.0; at least 45 of these hours must be at the upper-division level (courses numbered 3000-4999).
• No more than 54 hours of PSY and no more than 54 hours of CJ course work can count towards the degree.
• The last 30 hours of the degree must be completed while registered in the School of Public Affairs and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at UCCS.
• Courses numbered below 1000 do not count towards degree completion.

Criminal Justice Major Requirements

• A minimum of 25 credit hours of CJ course work and 3 hours of PAD course work, at least 18 credit hours of which must be upper-division (3000+ level).
• Courses counting toward the CJ major must be completed with a C or better. 

Psychology Major Requirements

• A minimum of 36 credit hours of PSY course work, at least 18 credit hours of which must be upper-division (3000+ level).
• A grade of C- or better in the four required foundation courses, the four core content courses, and the one Advanced Seminar.
• Complete the Psychology Senior Accountability Exit Exam.

Course Requirements