Texas A&M University-Texarkana offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Criminal Justice.  Using research-based knowledge of crime, criminal justice, and society, our students have the opportunity to develop skills in analytical thinking, research, and writing that increase their value to current and future employers. 

The BS-CJ degree is oriented to pre-service and in-service criminal justice employees, particularly those who wish to be promoted to supervisory and management roles, employed in state and federal agencies, or attend graduate school.  Graduates of the program work at local, state, and federal agencies.  Other students who commonly seek the BS-CJ are those with career interests in social service and rehabilitation organizations that are commonly adjuncts to the criminal justice system.  Faculty will help students customize their degree plan based on the individual student's interests and goals.  Students may specialize in interests such as law enforcement, community corrections, juvenile justice, pre-law, incarceration, management & leadership, human behavior, forensic science, social justice, or other areas.

Careers in Criminal Justice

• Police Officer
• Jail Officer
• Victim advocate
• Probation officer
• Investigator

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BS-CJ) is a 120-credit hour curriculum starting with a freshman Introduction to Criminal Justice that is integrated into your University Core curriculum then continuing with upper-division work beginning in your sophomore year. 

Both transfer students and changes of major can transition smoothly into the "2+2" program design.  Students may begin their college experience in virtually any degree program at Texas A&M University-Texarkana or at a community college before transferring to complete their 4-year degree in Criminal Justice.  Full-time students with 60 hours creditable toward the degree can complete the degree in two years or less taking day, night, and web classes.

The goal of the criminal justice faculty is to enhance the value of our students as employees and citizens.  We strive to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of current and future criminal justice employees, citizens, and leaders through an intellectually challenging curriculum examining problems of crime and justice through theory, observation, and analysis.  Our students include pre-service and in-service criminal justice personnel, social service providers, and students working in the private sector.  Our graduates are employed in local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies and a host of public and private organizations.

Degree Requirements

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

NOTE: A maximum of 21 semester credit hours of Criminal Justice transfer courses can be used to meet degree requirements.  Excess hours will be excluded. 

Note: A minimum of 54 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation:  Overall GPA, Institutional GPA, and Major GPA.

Bachelor of Science-Criminal Justice

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

 Fourth Year

NOTE: A maximum of 21 semester credit hours of Criminal Justice transfer courses can be used to meet degree requirements.  Excess hours will be excluded. 

Note: A minimum of 54 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation:  Overall GPA, Institutional GPA, and Major GPA.