Undergraduate Research

Research Opportunities in Criminal Justice

There are a variety of ways undergraduate students can gain research training and experience in criminal justice. Most experiences are course-based. Below are the course options from which students may choose.

 
Course # Course Title Credits Description
CJ 3055 Introduction to
Research and
Evaluation		  3 This classroom-based, interactive course provides students with fundamental intra-and inter-personal skills development and fundamental technical skills training to be able to perform entry- level research and work in collaborative teams.
CJ 3056 Advanced Skills in
Research and
Evaluation		 3 This classroom-based lecture and applied skills course exposes students to an array of research strategies and training in various technical skills needed to successfully conduct research and manage research projects.
CJ 3030 Mentoring &
Leadership		 1 This two-day interactive seminar course covers the ins and outs of mentorship and being a mentee and includes leadership development and strategies for effective communication and collaboration.
CJ 3002 * Research Experience in Criminal Justice 2 - 5

This is an applied, experiential learning course where students work with an advanced graduate student or faculty member to assist with research tasks and, separately, receive dedicated mentorship from the CJ Undergraduate Research program team. Students can take this course multiple times throughout their tenure at UC. For each credit hour registered, students must provide 2 hours per week of research assistance.


* Registration requires approval from the Undergraduate Research Team. To apply for approval,
visit: https://forms.office.com/r/vZjBVTiAwv
CJ 3057 * Independent Research
in Criminal Justice		 3

This as an independent study course, where students work on data analysis from an existing project they have worked on previously with a research mentor. (This course is not designed for students to do primary data collection). Students prepare their findings to
present at a conference and receive mentorship from the CJ Undergraduate Research program team and their primary research mentor.

 

* Registration requires approval from the Undergraduate Research Team. To apply for approval,
visit: https://forms.office.com/r/vZjBVTiAwv
CJ 4096 * Research Field
Placement in CJ		 3

This course parallels the Field Placement in Criminal Justice course and meets the major’s capstone / culminating experience requirement. Students are placed either with a faculty mentor to assist with research or in a research division of a criminal justice or social service agency, or with a research team or organization. Students are expected to complete 112 hours over the course of the semester (~8 hours/week).

 

* Registration requires approval from the Undergraduate Research Team. To apply for approval,
visit: https://forms.office.com/r/vZjBVTiAwv

* Registration requires approval from the Undergraduate Research Team. To apply for approval,
visit: https://forms.office.com/r/vZjBVTiAwv

Additionally, the School of Criminal Justice offers several paid research experiences in the Center for
Criminal Justice Research (CCJR) Immersive Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The Call for
Applications for this program is posted on the Criminal Justice Undergraduate Advising Canvas page
annually each March. Students will be notified of acceptance each April, and students complete their
required 200 hours of research assistance between May and August. Students are paid hourly for work completed but can typically earn, on average, $2000-$2500 per summer.