Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

The pursuit of fairness

Criminology is about uncovering the forces that shape safety, harm, and accountability in real lives and real communities. You’ll step into the stories behind crime and justice, asking why wrongdoing occurs, how systems respond, and how change actually happens. Through both classroom study and in-the-field application, you'll examine the social forces that shape lawmaking and public opinion and learn to question assumptions with curiosity and courage.

With a degree in CCJ, you’ll have the skills to pursue career paths across the justice system: community outreach, probation, law enforcement, legal services, human rights, advocacy, and more.

Why study Criminology and Criminal Justice at NAU

At NAU, you’ll learn in a dynamic and collaborative environment. You might start the day unpacking the roots of a crime in the classroom and spend the afternoon collaborating with faculty on community-based research. Students come from across political and social spectrums contributing to spaces created for open conversation, critical inquiry, and growth through diverse perspectives. Whether you’re drawn to practice, research, advocacy, or policy, NAU’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice will help you pursue a career that supports safer, more equitable communities.

Learning outcomes

As a CCJ major at NAU, you will:

• identify the key stages of criminal justice processes and at each stage, locate the core institutions involved, and the key roles performed by those who inhabit them. 
• summarize and differentiate the major theories about crime, criminalization, and victimization, and then apply theories to critically analyze contemporary injustices. 
• critically assess how power and privilege impact law making and law enforcement. 
• use criminal justice theories, methods, or investigative techniques to assess patterns of crime, criminalization and victimization and to establish justification for a course of action.

Student clubs and organizations

You'll find community and connection, and build leadership and networking skills, through groups that were created specifically for exploring a shared interest in CCJ.

CCJ Internship Program

Get first-hand experience with the justice system and the agencies that shape it through the CCJ Internship Program. You can expect to:

• learn from leading scholars and respected practitioners. 
• sharpen your writing, research, analytic, and intercultural skills. 
• explore justice-related career paths that align with your goals. 
• build your professional network.

Immersive learning

The CCJ Department at NAU provides you with opportunities to apply your study in real-world situations. You’ll learn from community partners and immersive programs like Flagstaff's Citizen Police Academy where you get an inside look at careers in justice, and the Hood Initiative which provides mentorship and empowerment for students affected by systemic injustice.

Accelerated Bachelor to Master

Take advantage of NAU’s accelerated 3+2 program and earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years! In this dual-degree program, you’ll work closely with faculty to design a plan tailored to your career goals by:

• learning at an intensive pace.
• counting two 400-level CCJ courses toward both degrees.
• choosing a specialization in Communities & Justice, Transnational Crime & Justice, or Law, Policy, & Social Change.
• gaining advanced research skills to address community justice needs.
• completing a thesis, internship project, or teaching justice practicum.

Dedicated support

At NAU, you’ll be guided and mentored by faculty who see your potential, gain career readiness for an impactful career in CCJ, and get access to funding that helps reduce tuition.

Learn from leaders in justice

CCJ faculty are committed to your growth and will help guide you in your research and mentor you through study and internships. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on projects that lead to national conference presentations and real-world impact, too!

Prepared for what's next

Your career path might lead you toward law enforcement, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, policy, advocacy, or nonprofit work. No matter the path you take though, you’ll be supported every step of the way at NAU. An early career-prep class introduced essential tools like resume writing, interviewing, and networking. As you gain experience through internships and immersive programs, you’ll strengthen skills every CCJ professional needs: critical thinking, communication, cultural understanding, and problem solving.

Scholarships and funding

NAU is dedicated to making high-quality education affordable. Departmental scholarships, including the Criminal Justice Collective travel fund, are available to help make academic and professional opportunities more accessible for CCJ students. Visit Scholarship Universe to search for scholarships tailored to your academic path and personal profile.