Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Paralegal Option
Gain experience in legal research and writing, build analytical skills and develop insight into the processes of the American legal system with UMass Lowell's Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Paralegal option. This program provides foundational knowledge of the origins and development of criminal law and the corrections system, procedures involved in the litigation process, legal ethics, the analysis of criminology data and recent court decisions and statutes.
Gain an understanding of the legal issues in real estate, litigation, business, personal injury, international law, estate planning, criminal law, intellectual property, environmental law, bankruptcy, immigration and family law. Students enrolled in the Bachelor's in Criminal Justice: Paralegal option have the opportunity to participate in UMass Lowell's Bachelor to Master's program and complete both degrees at an accelerated pace.
Career Outlook
"Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects."


Key Takeaways
Deepen your knowledge of a range of topics, including:
- Legal issues that influence and intersect with modern business practices
- Criminal statistics, crime mapping and theories of crime causation
- The application of new technological advances in the criminal justice system
- Constitutional law, contracts and intellectual property law
One Success Leads to Another
Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:
Curriculum Outline
- 40 Courses / 120 Credits Minimum
- View Course Descriptions »
Note: A 2.200 cumulative average overall and a 2.500 average in the major are necessary for graduation.
University Core Curriculum Requirements (12 Courses / 36-38cr)
UMass Lowell's Breadth of Knowledge required courses are designed to provide students with a foundation that prepares them for continued work within their major and minor fields, as well as endowing them with intellectual habits that will enable them to become lifelong learners. For a list of approved Breadth of Knowledge courses, visit UMass Lowell's core curriculum website.- ENGL.1010 College Writing I (3cr)
- ENGL.1020 College Writing II (3cr)
- ----.---- Social Sciences Course (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Social Sciences Course (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Social Sciences Course (SS) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Course (AH) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Course (AH) - 3cr.
- ----.---- Arts & Humanities Course (AH) - 3cr.
- MATH.2830 Introduction to Statistics (3cr)
- ----.---- Science with Lab - 3cr. + 1cr.
- ----.---- Science with Lab - 3cr. + 1cr.
- ----.---- STEM Perspective Course
Required Criminal Justice Core (6 Courses / 18cr)
- CRIM.1010 The Criminal Justice System (3cr)
- CRIM.1410 Introduction to Policing (3cr)
- CRIM.1510 Introduction to Corrections (3cr)
- CRIM.2210 Criminology (3cr) - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.2340 Criminal Law (3cr)
- CRIM.4890 Capstone Seminar in Criminology & Criminal Justice (3cr)
Paralegal Option Required Courses (6 Courses / 18cr)
- LGST.1030 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3cr)
- LGST.2610 Introduction to Legal Concepts (3cr)
- LGST.2620 Introduction to Business Law (3cr)
- LGST.3790 The Relationship of Law, Logic, and Ethics (3cr)
- LGST.3900 Litigation (3cr)
- LGST.3/4--- Legal Studies Elective at the 3000/4000 level (3cr)
Research Skills Required Courses (4 Courses / 12cr)
- LGST.3870 Legal Research Methods (3cr)
- LGST.2870 Legal Writing (3cr)
- CRIM.3950 Statistics in Criminal Justice (3cr)
- CRIM.3980 Criminal Justice Data Analysis (3cr)
Criminal Justice / Social Science / Legal Studies Electives or Minor Area of Study - (6 Courses / 18cr)
The Paralegal Option allows students without a minor to take up to four Legal Studies electives (two lower-level and two upper-level), in addition to either Criminal Justice or Social Science electives. Students may also choose to pursue a minor. Please speak with your advisor for additional information.
- ----.---- CJ/SS/LS Elective or Minor Course (3cr)
- ----.---- CJ/SS/LS Elective or Minor Course (3cr)
- ----.3/4--- CJ Elective at the 3000/4000 level or Minor Course at any level (3cr)
- ----.3/4--- CJ Elective at the 3000/4000 level or Minor Course at any level (3cr)
- ----.3/4--- SS/LS Elective at the 3000/4000 level or Minor Course at the 3000/4000 level (3cr)
- ----.3/4--- SS/LS Elective at the 3000/4000 level or Minor Course at the 3000/4000 level (3cr)
Free Electives (6 Courses / 18cr)
Students must select seven free elective courses for their remaining credits to achieve the total 120 credits required by the University for a bachelor's degree.
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
- ----.---- Free Elective (3cr)
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req
Prerequisites:
44.101 pre-req
Prerequisites:
CRIM majors only
Prerequisites:
44.141 pre-req
Prerequisites:
44.151 pre-req, CJ majors only
Prerequisites:
CRIM.1010.
Prerequisites:
CRIM 1010, CRIM 1410 pre-req
Prerequisites:
44.221 and CJ majors pre-req
Prerequisites:
CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req
Prerequisites:
CJ Junior/Seniors Only
Prerequisites:
CRIM 3900 or PSYC 2690 pre-req
Prerequisites:
CRIM.3950 Pre-req
Prerequisites:
CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req
Prerequisites:
CRIM 1010 or CRIM 2210 Pre-req
Prerequisites:
Junior or Senior Standing Only
Prerequisites:
CRIM.1010 Criminal Justice System, CRIM.2210 Criminology l, CRIM.3900 CJ Research Methods and Senior-level standing.
Prerequisites:
Junior or Senior Status
Program Requirements
Students majoring in Criminal Justice must maintain at least a 2.200 grade point average (GPA) overall and at least a 2.500 GPA in their Criminal Justice courses. Students must present a minimum of 120 semester hours, fulfill the University's residency requirements, conform to the general regulations and requirements of the University, satisfy the regulations and academic standards of the colleges which exercise jurisdiction over the degrees for which they are matriculating, satisfy the curriculum requirements established by the departments or programs in their major, and complete the University's Core Curriculum requirements, which are listed within the program's curriculum outline. For additional information regarding the University's general policies and procedures, transfer credit information and residency requirements; please refer to our Academic Policies & Procedures.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Fall 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Undergraduate |
||
Online | $380 | $1,140 |
Online Business** | $385 | $1,155 |
On Campus Lowell | $340 | $1,020 |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Undergraduate Degree Application | $60 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
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Applying into an Undergraduate Degree Program
Complete the Online Undergraduate Degree Application Form (preferred), or print, complete and submit the Undergraduate Degree Application .pdf form. Please note: Your application will be processed once we have received your $60 application fee. Return your completed application along with your application fee to:
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies
GPS Admissions
839 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Questions? See our helpful Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for acceptance into a bachelor's degree program offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies, students must hold a high school diploma or have passed either the GED® or HiSET®. Graduate, Online & Professional Studies operates on a rolling admissions basis and each application is reviewed when the student's file is complete. Students must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to be eligible for most financial aid.
Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?
Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.
For General Assistance:
Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!