What Are the Math Requirements for Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice degrees prepare students for careers in the criminal justice system.

These include:

• Police Officers
• Corrections Officers
• Security Officer
• Victim Advocates

If you aren't a math person, you may wonder what the math requirements are for a criminal justice degree.

We've got the answer, plus information on other requirements you need for a degree in criminal justice.

Math Requirements for a Criminal Justice Degree

While all degree programs are a little different, math is generally not required as part of a criminal justice major.

However, many colleges and universities require students to take at least one math course as part of their general education core requirements.

General education courses are courses that all bachelor's degree students must take.

They help students gain a well-rounded education with a strong foundation in multiple subjects.

This includes mathematics, but often students will be allowed to choose what type of math they want to take to fulfill this requirement, such as algebra, pre-calculus, or statistics.

Students typically spend the first two years of their bachelor's degree in general education courses, and these often must be completed before the student can proceed into their major program.

Why Is Math Helpful for Criminal Justice?

Basic math is essential for day-to-day life, even if you don't work in a math-heavy career field.

However, there are some particular ways in which math can help criminal justice majors.

Learning math helps develop and fine-tune analytical skills, which are essential for careers in criminal justice.

It can also help predict patterns and assess policing outcomes.

Additionally, you never know when math may pop up in the field.

Maybe you need to know how fast a suspect could get from point A to point B, how to calculate the angle of a gunshot, or how to calculate if a suspect is likely to re-offend.

Other Requirements for a Criminal Justice Degree

Again, it's important to stress that the requirements for a criminal justice degree can vary between degree programs.

You should always check to see what courses your specific program requires.

As we mentioned above, bachelor's students will need to complete their general education courses, often before they can take criminal justice courses.

Aside from the math requirement, other requirements may include:

• English Composition
• Foreign Language
• History
• Humanities
• Natural or Life Sciences
• Social Sciences

Like with the mathematics requirements, students are often allowed to choose which course they want to take to fulfill that requirement and can choose courses that prepare them for their intended major.

Once the core general education courses are completed, students can focus on the courses that are specific to their major.

Common topics covered in criminal justice courses include:

• Communication in Criminal Justice
• Corrections in the United States
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminal Law in the United States
• Criminal Procedures in the United States
• Criminology
• Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Policing in the United States
• Research Skills in Criminal Justice
• Technology in Criminal Justice
• Victimology

In addition to classroom learning, some criminal justice degree programs require that students complete supervised fieldwork in a variety of criminal justice or correctional settings.

Some criminal justice degree programs allow students to choose a concentration, emphasis, or specialization within their degree program.

Common concentrations include:

• Corrections
• Criminology
• Homeland Security
• Juvenile Justice
• Law Enforcement

Concentrations usually require an additional three or four classes outside of what's required for the major, but they typically will not include math courses.

Otherwise, students may be able to choose electives that fit their particular interests.

If you're not sure what courses you should be taking, both for your general education courses or your major, speak with your advisor.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Criminal Justice Degree?

The length of time it takes to earn a degree in criminal justice depends on what level of degree you're trying to earn and how many courses you take each semester.

A bachelor's degree requires 120 credits, and most courses are worth three credits.

It takes about four years of full-time study for students to meet the criminal justice math requirements and other requirements.

Full-time is defined as twelve credits or more per 16-week semester.

Some students prefer to take less than that each semester if they lead busy lives.

Some institutions offer accelerated programs, in which case you may be able to complete your degree faster.

However, this isn't always an option.

If you're earning an associate degree in criminal justice, that usually requires about 60 credits and takes about two years.

Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Today

There typically aren't any criminal justice math requirements, but you will likely still need to take at least one math course for your degree.

For more information on criminal justice degree programs, reach out to Learn.org today.