Criminology & Criminal Justice
Academic Department
In the last 20 years, criminology and criminal justice have shifted significantly. Changes include how police operate, the punishment for crimes, and support for victims. UNC offers a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice for undergraduate students. For graduate students, there is a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Office Hours
8:00 am -5:00 pm
Monday-Friday
Start your Journey in Criminal Justice at UNC
About the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department
The Criminology and Criminal Justice program is based on a wide education. It helps students learn about important social, cultural, and ethical issues that affect choices and how communities act. Through classes, internships, and job fairs, CRJ students prepare for good jobs and more schooling in graduate or law school.
The Minds Behind Our Program
At University of Northern Colorado, Criminology and Criminal Justice teachers and advisors help students pick classes, plan their careers and find internships. Every year, the department holds events like the CRJ Mock Oral Board and Job Expo. These events connect students with employers and help them practice job interviews.
Three students in a criminology classroom
Scholarship & Awards
Every spring, the criminology & criminal justice department gives out three scholarships!
The Victims of Violent Crime Endowment includes two scholarships. The other scholarship is the Lisa Marie Kimmel Memorial Scholarship. The Kimmell family set up the Lisa Marie Kimmell Memorial Scholarship. Its purpose is to promote professionalism in the criminal justice. To get either scholarship, you must be a Criminal Justice (CJR) major. You also need to be going into your junior or senior year and be an active member of the UNC’s Criminal Justice Society. Student should apply in the fall or early spring, before they become juniors or seniors to apply for these scholarships, they need to complete the UNC Universal Scholarship application.
Beyond on the Classroom
HSS Honored Scholars Convocation
Congratulations to the students that were awarded and celebrated at the 2025 Honored Scholars Convocation!
Department News
Criminology & Criminal Justice Society
The CJ Society is a campus group for students who want to learn about criminology and criminal justice. Students do not have to be a major or minor in criminal justice to take part.
The organization offers a variety of student benefits, including:
- Eligibility to apply for two academic scholarships that are given every year.
- Participation in community service projects.
- Guest presentations by various career professionals.
- Guidance for participating in criminal justice careers, tours of local prisons, crime labs, and law enforcement agencies.
- Networking with student peers.
- Show future employers that you were a part of a professional group while in college.
Launch Your Career in Criminology
Among our alumni, you will see many working in these various exciting industries:
- Government Administration
- Higher Education
- Military
- Hospital and Health Care
- Protective Services
Internship Opportunities
Internships are a great way for students to gain real-world experience. They help you learn new skills that you can’t always get in the classroom. Internships also let you explore different career paths and see what kind of work you enjoy. You can meet professionals in the field, which can help you find job opportunities in the future.
Criminal Justice students do not have complete an internship to graduate, but it is encouraged. Students can find internships by using the Internship Catalog or by talking to the Internship Coordinator about being placed at a different agency.
ALL forms must be submitted in the following manner:
- By mail at Criminology & Criminal Justice Department, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80639 or
- By scanning and attaching to an email to Victoria Terranova, PH.D., CCJ Internship Coordinator at Victoria.Terranova@unco.edu