Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Management

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Management is a four-year interdisciplinary degree programme that addresses the growing need for skilled professionals in law enforcement, security management, and criminal justice administration. Students study criminology, criminal justice systems, security management, law enforcement, corrections and penology, criminal law, security risk analysis, forensic studies, terrorism and counter-terrorism, research methods, and ethics in criminal justice.

The programme is offered at CUE-accredited private universities including Africa Nazarene University and St. Paul's University.

Graduates pursue careers as security managers, law enforcement officers, criminal justice administrators, correctional officers, security consultants, policy analysts, and private security managers. The programme is delivered over eight semesters through lectures, case studies, simulations, and fieldwork.

Students engage in crime analysis, security risk assessments, criminal justice policy research, and security management exercises. Entry-level salaries for criminal justice and security management graduates in Kenya range from KES 45,000–75,000/month depending on the role and organisation, with higher earnings in private security firms and international organisations.

The programme suits students interested in law enforcement, security, and criminal justice. Skills RequiredCriminal Justice AdministrationSecurity Management and Risk AssessmentCriminology and Crime AnalysisLaw Enforcement ProceduresCorrections and PenologyCriminal Law and ProcedureSecurity Policy AnalysisCounter-Terrorism and IntelligenceResearch Methods in CriminologyEthics in Criminal JusticeKey SubjectsCriminologyCriminal Justice SystemsSecurity ManagementCriminal LawCorrections and PenologyLaw EnforcementForensic StudiesTerrorism and Counter-TerrorismResearch MethodsEthics in Criminal JusticeCertificationsKenya Security Professionals Society MembershipASIS International Certified Protection Professional (CPP)International Association of Chiefs of Police MembershipSpecializationsSecurity ManagementFocus on managing security operations — covering security risk assessment, security planning, physical security, access control, security operations management, and the design and management of security programmes for organisations.

Law Enforcement and PolicingFocus on law enforcement practice — covering policing strategies, criminal investigation, community policing, police administration, and the structures and procedures of law enforcement agencies. Corrections and PenologyFocus on correctional systems — covering penology, prison management, offender rehabilitation, probation and parole, restorative justice, and the treatment and management of offenders in the correctional system.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 227,500
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Criminology
Criminal Justice Systems
Security Management
Criminal Law
Corrections and Penology
Law Enforcement
Forensic Studies
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Research Methods
Ethics in Criminal Justice

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Criminal Justice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational introduction to criminal justice — covering the criminal justice system, its components (police, courts, corrections), the flow of cases through the system, and the history and philoso...
Criminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminological theory and crime causation — covering classical and positivist criminology, sociological theories of crime, biological and psychological theories, and the application of criminologic...
Criminal Law and Procedure
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminal law and procedure in Kenya — covering criminal law principles, elements of crimes, criminal procedure, the rights of the accused, the court system, and the legal framework for criminal jus...
Security Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing security operations — covering security risk assessment, security planning, physical security, access control, security operations management, and the design and management of security pro...
Corrections and Penology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Correctional systems and penology — covering penology, prison management, offender rehabilitation, probation and parole, restorative justice, and the treatment and management of offenders in the co...
Research Methods in Criminology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methodology for criminal justice — covering quantitative and qualitative research, crime data analysis, survey design, and the application of research methods to criminology and security s...
Criminal Investigation and Forensics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminal investigation methods and forensic science — covering investigation techniques, crime scene management, evidence collection and analysis, forensic science, and the use of forensic evidence...
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Terrorism and counter-terrorism in the criminal justice context — covering terrorism theory, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence analysis, and the response to terrorist threa...
Security Risk Analysis
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Security risk assessment and analysis — covering risk theory, threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, risk management strategies, and the design and implementation of security risk management pr...
Ethics in Criminal Justice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Professional ethics in criminal justice — covering ethical principles, police ethics, use of force, human rights in criminal justice, professional conduct, and the ethical challenges faced by crimi...
Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminal justice policy and administration — covering policy analysis, criminal justice administration, organisational management, policy development, and the governance and reform of criminal just...
Research Project or Internship
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project or criminal justice internship — demonstrating mastery of criminal justice and security management theory and practice through original research or a structured internship.

Specialisations

Security Management
Focus on managing security operations — covering security risk assessment, security planning, physical security, access control, security operations management, and the design and management of security programmes for organisations.
Law Enforcement and Policing
Focus on law enforcement practice — covering policing strategies, criminal investigation, community policing, police administration, and the structures and procedures of law enforcement agencies.
Corrections and Penology
Focus on correctional systems — covering penology, prison management, offender rehabilitation, probation and parole, restorative justice, and the treatment and management of offenders in the correctional system.
Criminal Investigation and Forensics
Focus on criminal investigation — covering criminal investigation methods, forensic science, crime scene management, evidence collection and analysis, and the use of forensic evidence in criminal justice.
Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence
Focus on terrorism and intelligence — covering terrorism theory, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence analysis, and the response to terrorist threats in the criminal justice context.
Corporate and Private Security
Focus on private sector security — covering corporate security management, loss prevention, executive protection, information security, and the management of security in private sector organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on criminology, criminal law, or security management with afternoon case studies, simulations, and practical exercises. Students engage in crime analysis, security risk assessments, criminal justice policy research, and security management simulations. Field attachments in law enforcement agencies, private security firms, or correctional facilities provide hands-on experience, with students conducting security assessments, analysing crime patterns, and developing security plans. Research papers and policy briefs are regular assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing security sector demand — Kenya faces multiple security challenges creating demand for trained criminal justice and security management professionals in both public and private sectors.
Interdisciplinary programme — the programme combines criminology, law, security management, and forensics, providing graduates with versatile skills applicable across the security and justice sectors.
Private sector opportunities — graduates can work in private security firms, corporate security departments, banks, and NGOs, not just government law enforcement.
Flexible study modes — the programme is offered through full-time and online modes, accommodating working students.

Against it

Private university only — the programme is offered only at private universities (ANU and SPU), which may be more expensive than public university alternatives.
Security sector sensitivity — some law enforcement positions require security clearance, background checks, and additional training beyond the degree.
Limited university choice — with only two universities offering this exact programme, students have limited options in terms of location and cost.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private159k to 228k

159k at St. Paul's University228k at Africa Nazarene University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Verified educationnewshub KUCCPS 2026/27: KU 153K, UoN 189K, St Paul's 159K, ANU 228K/yr

Students can access HELB loans, university internal scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some security organisations and law enforcement agencies offer sponsorships for criminal justice students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
University Scholarships and Bursaries
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited university programmes.
University Internal Bursaries
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Merit-based and need-based scholarships offered by individual universities, applied through the financial aid office.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Mathematics, or KACE with two principal passes and a subsidiary, or Diploma in a related field with a minimum GPA of 2.3 from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Written tests covering criminology, criminal law, security management, and corrections — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Case Studies and Security Simulations
Coursework30% of the mark
Crime analysis case studies, security risk assessment exercises, criminal investigation simulations, and policy briefs — assessed through portfolio review and practical evaluation.
Field Attachment Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Reports from field attachments in law enforcement agencies, private security firms, or correctional facilities — documenting practical experience and professional reflection.
Final Examinations and Research Project
Examination25% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year research project or internship demonstrating mastery of criminal justice and security management theory and practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at Africa Nazarene University and St. Paul's University. The programme is offered through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with full-time and online study modes.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Management is CUE-accredited at Africa Nazarene University and St. Paul's University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Security Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages security operations for organisations — covering security planning, risk management, security staff supervision, access control, and the coordination of security programmes for private firms and institutions.
Law Enforcement Officer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Serves in law enforcement agencies — covering policing, criminal investigation, community policing, and law enforcement administration for government police and security agencies.
Correctional Officer / Probation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Manages offenders in the correctional system — covering prison management, offender rehabilitation, probation services, parole supervision, and restorative justice programmes.
Security Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 85,000
Provides security consultancy services — covering security risk assessment, security planning, security advisory, and security training for private firms, NGOs, and international organisations.
Policy Analyst (Criminal Justice)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Analyses criminal justice and security policy — covering policy research, policy briefs, security sector reform, and criminal justice policy advisory for government and research institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as security managers, law enforcement officers, criminal justice administrators, correctional officers, and security consultants — in law enforcement agencies, private security firms, correctional services, and corporate security departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Productivity tools including Word for intelligence reports and policy briefs, Excel for crime data analysis, and PowerPoint for security briefings and threat assessment presentations.
SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for criminology research — covering crime data analysis, victimisation survey data, and research statistics for criminal justice and security studies.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Software
Mapping software for crime analysis — covering crime mapping, hotspot analysis, spatial analysis of crime patterns, and the use of GIS for visualising crime and security data.
Security Risk Assessment Tools
Resource
Security risk assessment frameworks and tools — covering threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, risk matrices, and the use of standardised tools for security risk management.
University Library and Research Resources
Resource
University library resources — providing access to criminology journals, criminal justice research databases, law references, and case study materials for criminal justice research.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Criminal Justice is just about policing.
The programme covers criminology, security management, corrections, criminal law, forensic studies, counter-terrorism, and policy analysis — it addresses the entire criminal justice system, not just policing.
Criminal Justice graduates can only work as police officers.
Graduates work in law enforcement, private security management, corrections, policy analysis, security consulting, corporate security, and international organisations — with diverse career paths across the security and justice sectors.
Criminal Justice and Security Management is the same as Criminology.
While both cover crime-related topics, Criminal Justice and Security Management adds security management, risk assessment, corporate security, and law enforcement administration — making it broader than pure Criminology.
There are no private sector jobs in criminal justice.
Private security firms, corporate security departments, banks, NGOs, and international organisations actively recruit criminal justice graduates for security management, risk analysis, and compliance roles.
Security Management is not academically rigorous.
The programme involves criminological theory, criminal law, research methods, policy analysis, and security studies — it is a demanding interdisciplinary degree requiring analytical and practical skills.