Social Sciences

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a four-year degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in criminal justice systems, law enforcement, judiciary processes, corrections, and crime prevention.

The curriculum covers criminal justice theory, criminology, criminal law, law enforcement systems, court procedures, corrections, probation and parole, juvenile justice, human rights, research methodology, forensic science, security studies, ethics in criminal justice, and comparative criminal justice systems.

Students develop skills in criminal analysis, investigative techniques, legal research, policy analysis, report writing, crisis management, conflict resolution, and ethical decision-making.

Graduates pursue careers as law enforcement officers, probation officers, correctional officers, legal researchers, policy analysts, security consultants, human rights advocates, and NGO programme officers. They find employment in government departments, police services, correctional facilities, courts, NGOs, international organisations, and private security firms.

The programme is offered at United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), a private institution in Nairobi, at KES 301,500 per year (KES 150,750 per semester x 2 semesters). USIU-Africa is accredited by the Commission for University Education and follows an American-style liberal arts curriculum. The programme is offered on a full-time and part-time basis with intakes every semester.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or equivalent.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 188,020
Private, up to: Ksh 301,500
Job market: Moderate

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

Criminal Justice Theory
Criminology
Criminal Law
Law Enforcement Systems
Court Procedures
Corrections
Juvenile Justice
Research Methodology
Forensic Science
Ethics in Criminal Justice

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Criminal Justice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of the criminal justice system, its components, and their interactions.
Criminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of crime causation, crime patterns, and sociological perspectives on criminal behaviour.
Criminal Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Criminal Law: Principles of criminal law, elements of crimes, defences, and legal procedures. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Law Enforcement Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Police organisation, operations, community policing, and law enforcement administration.
Court Procedures and the Judiciary
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Court systems, trial procedures, judicial processes, and the role of courts in criminal justice.
Corrections and Rehabilitation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Correctional systems, prisons, probation, parole, and offender rehabilitation programmes.
Juvenile Justice
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Juvenile delinquency, youth justice systems, and rehabilitation approaches for young offenders.
Forensic Science Fundamentals
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to forensic science, crime scene investigation, and evidence analysis.
Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods applied to criminal justice research.
Ethics in Criminal Justice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical issues in law enforcement, corrections, and the broader criminal justice system.
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative analysis of criminal justice systems across different countries and regions.
Internship and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised internship at a criminal justice organisation and a final-year research project.

Specialisations

Law Enforcement
Focus on police systems, investigative techniques, and law enforcement administration. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Corrections
Focus on correctional systems, probation, parole, and rehabilitation of offenders. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Juvenile Justice
Focus on juvenile delinquency, youth justice systems, and rehabilitation programmes. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Security Studies
Focus on security management, threat analysis, and private security operations. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Human Rights and Justice
Focus on human rights law, social justice, and advocacy within the criminal justice system. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Comparative Criminal Justice
Focus on international and comparative criminal justice systems and cross-border crime. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day at USIU-Africa combines lectures, seminars, and case study discussions. Morning sessions cover criminal justice theory, criminology, and criminal law, while afternoons focus on mock court exercises, crime scene analysis simulations, and research projects. Students engage in debates on contemporary justice issues, analyse case law, and participate in field visits to courts and correctional facilities. The American-style curriculum emphasises class participation, research papers, and presentations.

The trade offs

In its favour

American-style liberal arts curriculum with international recognition and transferability.
Multidisciplinary approach drawing from psychology, sociology, law, and political science.
Small class sizes at USIU-Africa provide personalised attention and interactive learning.
Online programme option provides flexibility for working professionals.

Against it

High tuition fees at KES 301,500/year compared to public universities.
Only offered at private institutions, limiting access for students seeking public university education.
Programme not listed in KUCCPS, limiting government placement opportunities.
Career advancement in law enforcement may require additional Kenya Police Service training.

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

Public188k to 188k

188k at Karatina University188k at Karatina University

Private105k to 302k

105k at Mount Kenya University302k at United States International University Africa

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

Karatina 188K/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 105K, USIU 301.5K/yr (usiu.ac.ke fee schedule).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students at private universities. USIU-Africa offers internal financial aid and scholarships for deserving students. County government bursaries may also be available.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
USIU-Africa Financial Aid

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities including private institutions. Must demonstrate financial need.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
University scholarshipKenyan
Students with outstanding academic performance or demonstrated financial need at USIU-Africa.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes; OR five upper-level passes at IGCSE/IB; OR five credits in any five subjects at O Level; OR a KNEC diploma or equivalent from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, research papers, case analyses, and assignments throughout the semester.
Class Participation and Presentations
Practical20% of the mark
Class discussions, oral presentations, mock court exercises, and group projects.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Internship and Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Supervised internship at a criminal justice organisation plus a final-year research project.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Law Enforcement Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Serves in police or other law enforcement agencies maintaining public order and investigating crimes.
Probation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supervises offenders on probation, conducts assessments, and supports rehabilitation.
Legal Researcher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts legal research for law firms, courts, and organisations on criminal justice matters.
Security Consultant
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises organisations on security risk management, threat assessment, and security operations.
Human Rights Advocate
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 160,000
Advocates for human rights within the criminal justice system through NGOs and international organisations.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses criminal justice policies and provides recommendations to government and organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as law enforcement officers, probation officers, legal researchers, and security consultants in government, NGOs, and private security. Demand is moderate with growing focus on professionalising Kenya's criminal justice system.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office Suite
ProductivityPrimary
Essential tools for report writing, case analysis, and research documentation.
SPSS
Statistical analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for criminal justice research and data analysis.
LexisNexis
Legal research
Legal research database for case law, statutes, and legal publications.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for group projects and research assignments.
ArcGIS
Mapping
GIS software for crime mapping and spatial analysis of crime patterns.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Criminal justice is the same as studying law.
Criminal justice focuses on the criminal justice system including law enforcement, courts, and corrections, while law covers all legal practice areas including civil, commercial, and constitutional law.
Graduates automatically become police officers.
While some graduates join law enforcement, the programme prepares students for diverse careers in corrections, probation, security, human rights, research, and policy analysis.
Criminal justice is only for men.
The programme is open to all genders, and there is growing demand for women in law enforcement, corrections, and human rights advocacy.
The degree is only useful in Kenya.
USIU-Africa's American-style curriculum and international accreditation make the degree recognised globally, with graduates working in international organisations and pursuing postgraduate studies abroad.