Criminal Justice

Male students in a classroom setting with others raising his hand to ask a question

Your Career in Criminal Justice Starts at Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy's criminal justice program provides a top-caliber education to all students by utilizing the latest research, providing instructors who are top in their field, using innovative classroom practices and by providing exceptional experiential opportunities. Our goal is to prepare you to be a skilled and ethical criminal justice leader.

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary area that draws much of its content from law, psychology, political science and sociology. Our criminal justice curriculum makes you aware of the key issues, concepts and theories involved in understanding the operation of the criminal justice system. With this knowledge, students are taught to analyze the practical issues and controversies of the field. Problem-solving, the ability to make analytical judgments and the application of theory to practice are key skills that you will develop in this program.

Detroit Mercy offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in criminal justice. Detroit Mercy’s Master of Science in Cybercrime shares several classes with the Department of Cybersecurity & Information Systems. These classes include knowledge areas critical for student's careers pathways that support the nation’s information infrastructure through education and research in cyber defense, cybercrime, investigations and intelligence studies.

Aaron Huguley '08, '13 Speaks of His Success

Aaron Huguley '08, '13, Deputy Chief of Police at Southfield Police Department, talks about his life-changing course of events through his Detroit Mercy education in criminal justice. Huguley majored in criminal justice for his bachelor's degree and also earned a Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis. Through this video, Huguley credits much of his success to his Detroit Mercy education and his mentor Erick Barnes, who taught many of his classes.

Alexis Malone
Alexis Malone

Current student and full-time police officer,
Southfield Police Department

"Never give up! The journey to becoming a criminal justice professional has been challenging yet rewarding. With faith in God, I've defeated obstacles every step of the way."

Career Pathways

Students who successfully graduate Detroit Mercy's criminal justice program can lead to careers in criminal justice as correctional officer/treatment specialist, counter-terrorism specialist, detective/criminal Investigator, forensic science technician, intelligence analyst, counter-terrorism specialist, police officer, private detective or special agent.

Three students investigating a crime scene using a flashlight
Two students investigating a crime scene using a flashlight
Group of students mapping out a crime scene
Two students dusting for fingerprints

Undergraduate Programs

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    Criminal Justice Major

    Degree: Bachelor of Science
    Major: Criminal Justice

    University of Detroit Mercy's Bachelor of Science with a major in criminal justice prepares you to work in a wide variety of public and private careers at progressive levels of responsibility. These careers can include Federal, state and local policing; government regulatory agencies; private investigation and private security; and careers in corrections including parole and probation as well as institutional corrections. If you are planning to attend law school, a criminal justice major can also provide you with an excellent foundation.

    To obtain this undergraduate degree, you must fulfill the requirements of the University core curriculum, the requirements for the 45-credit-hour program major and have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours.

    Curriculum & Course Information ▶

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    Accelerated 5-Year Bachelor's to Master's Programs

    Where Could You Be in Five Years?

    For ambitious, driven and career-minded incoming freshmen, University of Detroit Mercy offers two options to increase your knowledge and skills as a full-time student for 10 semesters (5 academic years) before entering the workforce:

    5 Year Accelerated Cybersecurity Catalog page for course and curriculum information

    • Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems (cybersecurity major); Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis
    5 Year Accelerated Criminal Justice Catalog page for course and curriculum information

    • Bachelor of Science (criminal justice major); Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis
    • Bachelor of Science (criminal justice major); Master of Arts (criminal justice major)

    In order to complete both the bachelor's and master's degrees in five years, you must:

    • Be very well prepared as an incoming freshman or transfer student;
    • Satisfy all the admission criteria (see below); and
    • Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA at Detroit Mercy, in order to take graduate level courses while still an undergraduate..

    This program allows incoming freshmen to complete both the bachelor's and master's degrees by being a full-time student for 5 academic years (10 consecutive semesters). Juniors at Detroit Mercy may be admitted into the program with the permission of the department and Dean’s Office.

    Requirements for Transfer Students

    Students transferring in from a community college require permission from the Dean's Office.

    In order to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees entering as a transfer student you must:

    • Have 60-63 transferable credits.
    • Meet the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).
    • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 throughout the entire undergraduate portion of the program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate courses.
    • Maintain full-time status. This is typically 15-18 credit hours per semester, for a total of 102-108 credits for students entering as a senior.
    • Finish the bachelor's degree by the end of the fourth year and master's degree by the end of the fifth year. During your senior year, you can take up to two graduate level courses for each term with a maximum of four.
    Note:
    • Students can take summer courses if needed to catch up or advance.
    • Students are not required to apply for the graduate portion or take any exams such as GRE if they have met and maintained all accelerated program requirements.

    Sample Program for Incoming Freshmen

    (Note: Full-time status must be maintained in all semesters)

    First Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
    Second Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
    Third Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
    Fourth Year:
    • First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits, 6 graduate credits
    • Second Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits, 6 graduate credits
    Fifth Year
    • First Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
    • Second Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)

    Sample Program for Transfer Students

    (Note: Full-time status must be maintained in all semesters) 

    Third Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
    Fourth Year:

    • First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)
    • Second Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)

    Fifth Year:

    • First Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
    • Second Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)

Graduate Programs

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    Criminal Justice

    Degree: Master of Arts
    Major: Criminal Justice
    Credits: 36

    The Master of Arts with a major in criminal justice is designed for you, as a professional worker (law enforcement, corrections officer, security personnel) and others who desire to further their knowledge of the criminal justice system and its related disciplines. This program will allow you to broaden and deepen your perspective in the criminal justice profession. Problem solving, leadership, critical thinking and the prudent application of theory to practice are skills the program aims to foster. It is developed to meet the need for specialized training for criminal justice suited to its unique functions. Students interested in a generalist's approach to criminal justice will find the course of study appropriate. Law enforcement and corrections personnel acquire a broad background in administrative theory and current criminal justice system concerns.

    The course of study can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Faculty regularly communicate with students and get to know their career goals and interests. Typically at least 50 percent of our students are employed full time often in the field they are pursuing so courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening. Courses are designed to enhance students' backgrounds.

    Visit the program page ▶

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    Intelligence Analysis

    Degree: Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis
    Credits: 33

    University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis builds on traditional courses in the areas of criminal justice and security administration, where the topics of crime foreseeability, threat analysis, crime prevention through environmental design and offender behavior are central. The degree is a 33-credit-hour graduate program. It is ideal for individuals looking to advance their career in this area, as well as for members of the military.

    Meeting U.S. Government Demand

    This master's program is designed to help meet U.S. government demand for more specialists in the area of intelligence analysis to assist in the tasks of homeland security in the face of threats from global terrorism.

    Border City Location

    As a major border city, one which has the highest volume of commercial traffic with a foreign country of any U.S. city, the Detroit-Windsor area is uniquely located to provide corporate, local law enforcement and national government opportunities, issues and situations relevant to intelligence analysis.

    Forecasting Risk

    The field of intelligence analysis uses "open intelligence" information to provide forecasts of risks and benefits to guide governmental, law enforcement and private industry decision making.

    These forecasts involve use of available data and news sources to analyze crime patterns, security threats, possible terrorist targets and other relevant societal trends.

    Visit the program page ▶

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    Cybercrime

    Degree: Master of Science in Cybercrime
    Credits: 30

    University of Detroit Mercy’s Master of Science in Cybercrime combines criminal justice studies with focused aspects of cybersecurity to provide a deeper understanding of digital forensics, cyber defense operations and computer networking for those coming from law enforcement, legal and private sector operational security backgrounds. This fully online 30-credit-hour program can be completed in two years.

    Critical Need

    Internet-based crime is one of the fastest-growing security threats in the United States. The proliferation of crime perpetuated using the Internet and technology requires individuals to have both knowledge and capabilities in criminal justice and the technical abilities of cybersecurity to identify, respond, and effectively handle data and countermeasures necessary to assist in the prosecution of cybercriminals.

    Commitment to High Standards

    The program is aligned with both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s national cybersecurity strategies. In addition, to ensure the highest standards of quality, several sources were referenced for curriculum design including CSEC2017, Cybersecurity Curricula 2017, NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Education for Justice (E4J) Initiative and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

    Unique Approach

    Detroit Mercy’s Master of Science in Cybercrime utilizes a unique approach with interdisciplinary collaboration between the University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Department of Cybersecurity & Information Systems.

    View the program page ▶

Faculty

Barnes picture

Erick Barnes
Lecturer, Criminal Justice Studies
Director of the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis Program
* Department Chair
313-578-0363
barnese@udmercy.edu

Wilson  picture

Charles Wilson
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Studies
313-578-0364
wilsonce@udmercy.edu


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