Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Studies is a four-year interdisciplinary degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in criminal justice, security management, and criminology. Students study criminology, criminal justice systems, security studies, law enforcement, criminal law, corrections and penology, security risk analysis, forensic studies, terrorism and counter-terrorism, research methods, and ethics in criminal justice.

The programme is offered at St. Paul's University, a CUE-accredited private university in Kiambu, through full-time, part-time, and weekend study modes.

Graduates pursue careers as security officers, law enforcement officers, criminal justice administrators, correctional officers, security consultants, policy analysts, and private security managers. The programme is delivered 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 studies graduates in Kenya range from KES 45,000–70,000/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 Studies and Risk AssessmentCriminology and Crime AnalysisLaw Enforcement ProceduresCorrections and PenologyCriminal Law and ProcedureSecurity Policy AnalysisCounter-Terrorism StudiesResearch Methods in CriminologyEthics in Criminal JusticeKey SubjectsCriminologyCriminal Justice SystemsSecurity StudiesCriminal 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 Studies and Risk ManagementFocus on security theory and risk management — covering security studies, risk assessment, threat analysis, security planning, 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 159,400
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 Studies
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 and Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational introduction to criminal justice and security studies — covering the criminal justice system, security concepts, the components of the justice system, and the relationship between crim...
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, and the legal framework for criminal justice in Kenya.
Security Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Security theory and practice — covering traditional and human security, security threats, security responses, the security architecture in Kenya, and the evolution of security studies as a discipline.
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.
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, and the use of forensic evidence in criminal justice.
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Terrorism and counter-terrorism — covering terrorism theory, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence analysis, and the response to terrorist threats through the criminal justice ...
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, and the ethical challenges faced by criminal justice profession...
Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Criminal justice policy and administration — covering policy analysis, criminal justice administration, organisational management, and the governance and reform of criminal justice institutions.
Research Project or Internship
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project or criminal justice internship — demonstrating mastery of criminal justice and security studies theory and practice through original research or a structured internship.

Specialisations

Security Studies and Risk Management
Focus on security theory and risk management — covering security studies, risk assessment, threat analysis, security planning, 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.
Criminal Investigation and Forensics
Focus on criminal investigation — covering 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.
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 studies 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. 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 professionals in both public and private sectors.
Interdisciplinary programme — the programme combines criminology, law, security studies, and forensics, providing graduates with versatile skills.
Flexible study modes — the programme is offered through full-time, part-time, and weekend modes, accommodating working students.
Private sector opportunities — graduates can work in private security firms, corporate security departments, banks, and NGOs.

Against it

Single university offering — the programme is offered only at St. Paul's University, limiting choice for students.
Private university fees — as a private university programme, fees may be higher than public university alternatives.
Security sector sensitivity — some law enforcement positions require security clearance and additional training beyond the degree.

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

Private105k to 159k

105k at Mount Kenya University159k at St. Paul's 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, MKU 105K, St Paul's 159K/yr

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

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
University Scholarships and Bursaries
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited university programmes.
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.
University Internal Bursaries
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Merit-based and need-based scholarships offered by St. Paul's University, 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+ or equivalent, or KACE with two principal passes, or Diploma in a related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Written tests covering criminology, criminal law, security studies, 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 studies theory and practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at St. Paul's University. The programme is offered through the School of Humanities with full-time, part-time, and weekend 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 Studies is CUE-accredited at St. Paul's University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Security Officer / Manager
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 75,000
Manages security operations — covering security planning, risk management, security staff supervision, 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.
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, and restorative justice programmes.
Security Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides security consultancy — covering security risk assessment, security planning, security advisory, and security training for private firms and NGOs.
Policy Analyst (Criminal Justice)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Analyses criminal justice and security policy — covering policy research, policy briefs, and criminal justice policy advisory for government and research institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as security officers, 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 reports and policy briefs, Excel for crime data analysis, and PowerPoint for security briefings and 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.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Software
Mapping software for crime analysis — covering crime mapping, hotspot analysis, and spatial analysis of crime patterns.
Security Risk Assessment Tools
Resource
Security risk assessment frameworks — covering threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, risk matrices, and security risk management tools.
University Library and Research Resources
Resource
University library resources — providing access to criminology journals, criminal justice databases, law references, and case study materials.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Criminal Justice and Security Studies 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 and security system.
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.
Criminal Justice and Security Studies is the same as Criminology.
While both cover crime-related topics, this programme adds security studies, 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 and risk analysis roles.
Security Studies is not academically rigorous.
The programme involves criminological theory, criminal law, research methods, policy analysis, and security studies — it is a demanding interdisciplinary degree.