10 Top Double Majors With a Criminal Justice Degree

Interested in a criminal justice career? Perhaps you have your sights set on a particular specialization and you're considering a double major to help you reach your career goals.

Getting a double major with a criminal justice degree can qualify you for a wider variety of careers and make you a more desirable job candidate. You have many different options to choose from depending on your particular goals and interests.

Criminal Justice Double Majors

In this section, we'll take a closer look at the top 10 double majors to pursue with a criminal justice degree.

Psychology

Criminal justice and psychology majors pair well together because understanding human behavior and mental health can help you better understand criminal behavior. This can translate to a variety of career options in law enforcement, such as working with the FBI or becoming a probation officer.

Homeland Security

Homeland security is an excellent second major if you aspire to a career with the FBI, though it can have other applications as well. These majors teach students about common threats to America, such as terrorism, and methods to protect American freedoms and ways of life.

Forensic Science

Forensic science applies scientific principles to criminal cases and laws. It pairs well with criminal justice by giving students a more scientific approach to help them develop their investigative skills. It's a great double major whether you want to become a police officer, crime scene investigator, or FBI special agent.

Criminology

Criminology is often offered as a master's degree, but some schools also offer it as a bachelor's degree. Whereas criminal justice focuses on practical aspects of crime, criminology takes a more psychological approach, attempting to understand why criminals commit crimes. These two majors in tandem can lead to a variety of job opportunities within the criminal justice field.

Computer Science

A strong understanding of computers and technology is essential in the criminal justice system today. Students who double major in criminal justice and computer science will develop a wide range of skills to help them combat cybercrime and uncover technological evidence.

Social Work

Majoring in social work helps students develop interpersonal skills and learn about a variety of issues facing disadvantaged groups of people. Combining this major with criminal justice can provide a diverse skill set that will help students in many different criminal justice careers.

Sociology

Sociology is essentially the study of people. Similar to psychology, it focuses on the reasons behind the behaviors and actions of different groups of people. It pairs well with criminal justice by helping students learn to understand why criminals, victims, witnesses, and others think and act a certain way.

Pre-Law

The legal field is an important part of the criminal justice system. Double majoring in criminal justice and pre-law is an excellent choice for students hoping to enter law school, as it will give them a solid understanding of both the legal and justice systems and how they are interconnected.

Political Science

Political science is a social science specifically dealing with politics. Combining a criminal justice major with a political science major can help students understand public policy, criminal law, and how to apply principles of both to a career in public service.

Communications

Those in the criminal justice field must have strong communication skills. A double major in criminal justice and communications can help students perfect both English and foreign language skills, while also improving their writing and public speaking.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major is when a college student completes a second major within a single degree program. In other words, the student earns one bachelor's degree with two separate majors.

Students who double major complete the necessary coursework for two different degrees concurrently, usually graduating with about 120 credit hours.

The student completes all general education requirements and core courses for two majors, typically opting for a second major instead of a minor. Once all degree requirements have been met, students may complete any remaining credit hour requirements by taking electives.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

You may have heard the terms double major and dual degree and thought they were interchangeable. But there's actually a significant difference between the two.

For a double major, two programs of study are completed but only a single degree is awarded. With dual degrees, the student also completes two programs of study but receives two separate degrees. Dual degrees may be completed concurrently or at different times, and they typically require the additional coursework.

For example, a student completing both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree will likely have to fulfill separate general education requirements, thus leading to an additional number of credit hours required to graduate with both degrees (often 150 or more).

FAQs About Double Majoring With Criminal Justice

Still have questions about getting a double major with your criminal justice degree? Let's look at some answers to frequently asked questions you may have.

Can You Double Major With Criminal Justice?

Yes, it is possible to add a second major to your criminal justice major. It will take some planning to graduate with all the necessary courses and credits though; talk with an academic advisor to make sure you fulfill all the requirements of both majors.

Is a Double Major With Criminal Justice Worth It?

Double majoring allows you to explore two areas of study you're interested in, as well as make you eligible for more career opportunities. With this in mind, pursuing a double major with criminal justice is definitely worth it.

What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring with Criminal Justice?

When you double major with criminal justice, you can tailor your studies toward a particular career path and gain additional skills that will help you in your chosen line of work. Having a double major can also help you stand out from the crowd when it comes time to find a job.

Will a Double Major With Criminal Justice Improve My Career Outlook?

Yes, choosing a relevant double major can improve your career outlook by helping you develop additional skills, specialize in a particular area of criminal justice, and show employers that you are dedicated to the field.