A nationally recognized leader in criminal justice education and research.
Degree offerings reflect advanced knowledge and ongoing research at UNO SCCJ in Violence Intervention and Policing, Victimology, Corrections, and Crime and Justice Public Opinion. Undergraduate degrees include an optional concentration in Victimology or Policing.
Students are taught by faculty with unsurpassed research or field experience and credentials. Students may gain research experience in one of our SCCJ research labs. Internships are strongly encouraged to gain experience prior to graduation. Professional development and extracurricular learning opportunities are offered throughout the academic year as well as opportunities to participate in student groups.
Our master's program is ranked as a top 10 program by US News & World Report. Our PhD program is ranked #15 in the US! Graduate students benefit from working alongside faculty in their research labs as they and may choose to gain substantive experience working with criminal justice agency partners through internships or hands on research projects.
SCCJ faculty publish advance knowledge through publication in academic journals, presentations at national and regional conferences, and share their expertise with community and agency stakeholders to inform help shape best practices and evidence-based policies.
Many Nebraska criminal justice agency employers provide tuition assistance applicable to our degree programs.
Undergraduate and Masters programs are also available for completing entirely online.
We Offer
- One UNO program, two campuses - Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice is available through the UNO SCCJ on the Omaha or Lincoln campus or Online. Our undergraduate program is ranked #15 in the nation!
- Our nationally ranked Master of Science degree opens the door for advancing in criminal justice leadership positions. Online or in-person evening classes are available.
- Not sure about committing to a Master's program? Our Graduate Certificate in Managing Adult and Juvenile Populations allows students to explore graduate work in a concentrated specialization and earn credit that could apply to our Master's program.
- Our Master of Arts degree emphasizes hands on research opportunities for students who are planning careers in research or to advance into our doctoral program.
- A Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides unprecedented opportunities to engage in applied research under the supervision of nationally recognized experts. This competitive program is for full-time students with numerous funded graduate research assistantships available.
- Our joint Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Social Work degree is one of only a few joint programs in the country that combines the critical work in these complementary fields.
With over 900 undergraduate students, approximately 100 masters’ students, 25 doctoral students on the two largest campuses in the University of Nebraska system, the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is a vibrant academic community.
We welcome you to our events and educational opportunities.