Overview

The Criminal Justice programme at Iowa State University provides students with a deep understanding of the components and issues affecting modern juvenile and legal systems. By integrating theoretical concepts with real-world phenomena, the curriculum prepares individuals to interface effectively with social service providers and legal professionals. This academic path is designed for those aiming to influence policy and advocate for justice within diverse communities.

Students engage with complex topics including theories of crime, victimisation, and social control. The programme emphasises critical thinking, allowing learners to critique and integrate knowledge regarding rehabilitation and alternatives to incarceration.

Why Criminal Justice at Iowa State University?

Iowa State University offers a vibrant community for aspiring justice professionals through the Criminal Justice League learning community. This initiative is specifically designed for first-year students to help them navigate their major and connect with on-campus resources. Additionally, the Criminal Justice Club facilitates direct interaction with industry professionals, providing valuable networking opportunities and insights into various career trajectories.

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice also provides access to departmental scholarships, allowing students to focus more intently on their experiential learning. With support from the LAS career services team, students can tailor their educational journey to match their specific interests in law, activism, or social services, benefiting from a well-rounded collegiate environment.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 15293 per semester
National fee: USD 14289 per semester
Local fee: USD 4765 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in social science research and legal theory. Modules may include:

Crime and Victimisation
Criminal Justice Systems
Social Control
Rehabilitation
Social Science Research Methods
Juvenile Justice

Careers with Criminal Justice

Graduates are well-equipped to enter a variety of professional fields or pursue advanced postgraduate studies at the master's or Ph.D. levels. The programme develops essential skills in written and oral communication, enabling graduates to express complex ideas to supervisors and clients in high-pressure environments. Common career paths for alumni include:

Law enforcement officer
Attorney
Policy analyst
Forensic scientist
Social worker
Intelligence analyst
Private investigator
Correctional officer
Behavioral specialist

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Critical Thinking and Communication

Business Communication

Gender and Crime

Criminal and Juvenile Justice Practicum

Liberty and Law in America

American Judicial Process

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Iowa State operates on rolling admission. We strongly recommend that you apply at least six to eight weeks in advance.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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IELTS

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Ames, United States

Disciplines

Criminal Justice View 838 other Bachelors in Criminal Justice in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.3

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

ACT composite (or converted SAT) score x 3

Cumulative GPA x 30

Number of years of high school core courses x 5

RAI (Regent Admission Index)

SAT scores will be converted to their ACT composite equivalents for this calculation.

High school GPA is expressed on a 4-point scale (you can use our GPA calculator to convert your GPA if it's not on a 4.0 scale).

The number of core high school courses is measured in years or fractions of years.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

30586 USD / year

≈ 30586 USD / year
Out-of-State

28578 USD / year

≈ 28578 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9530 USD / year

≈ 9530 USD / year

Living costs

Ames

United States

1158 - 1797 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Criminal Justice.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Ames

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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