COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Crime Victim Services at the University of New Haven is designed to prepare students for professional careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and specialized victim advocacy services, as well as roles in community-based and social service organizations that support victims of crime and their families. The program provides a strong foundation in the structure and function of the criminal justice system through core coursework in criminal justice, criminal law, criminal procedure, criminology, scientific methods, quantitative analysis, race and social inequality in justice, and professional practice. Students also develop essential communication, analytical thinking, and ethical reasoning skills that enable them to evaluate complex issues within justice system operations and victim support environments. The concentration in Crime Victim Services builds specialized knowledge focused on understanding victimization, trauma, and the interaction between victims and the criminal justice system. Students take advanced courses such as Victims and Victimization, Working with Criminal Justice System Clients, and Victim Law and Service Administration, which provide insight into legal protections, service delivery systems, and institutional responses to victims’ needs. They also choose between focused study in Domestic Violence or Victimology, allowing them to explore specific forms of victimization and their social, psychological, and legal impacts. These courses emphasize both theoretical understanding and practical application, preparing students to work directly with victims in supportive, legal, or administrative capacities. A required internship and capstone seminar further enhance professional readiness by allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world criminal justice and victim service settings. Graduates are prepared for careers in victim advocacy, law enforcement support roles, court services, corrections-based victim programs, nonprofit organizations, and community outreach agencies, as well as for graduate study in criminal justice, social work, or related disciplines. Overall, the program develops professionals who are equipped to provide ethical, informed, and compassionate support to victims while working effectively within the broader criminal justice system.