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Justice Studies ,BA

Justice Studies, BA


Activism, Advocate, Civil Rights, Diversity, Domestic Violence, Gender, Human Rights, Identity, Immigration, Inequality, Racial, Sexuality, Social Justice, law, politics

Do you want to create meaningful change in the world? Justice studies offers you a broad education in justice, complemented by a solid foundation of liberal arts and social sciences courses that prepare you to promote social, economic and political justice wherever you are.

Program description

The BA program in justice studies is an innovative social science and liberal arts program that examines contemporary and historical social justice and inequality in a variety of contexts, including race, gender, sexuality, citizenship, indigeneity and other significant areas.

This program provides a broad approach to understanding justice, both in the legal system and in wider social contexts, including the many social justice issues that occur across countries and cultures. The Bachelor of Arts program provides students the kind of broader perspective required in today's workforce, through a liberal arts focus and the requirement to enroll in language courses.

This program equips students with a dynamic knowledge of the world's justice systems and gives them the skills to create meaningful, real-world change.

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: Yes
  • First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Able to analyze a current justice issue.
  • Explore and analyze key concepts and methodologies in the field.
  • Apply principles in justice studies to research activities or community engagement.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Human rights, violence, resource conflict and immigration are some of the issues that every country currently faces in some form or another. One of the best ways students can investigate potential solutions is by observing patterns from one culture to another when studying abroad. Students who study issues of justice in another culture can bring a new lens to their own experience and become positive changemakers in the world.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends specific study abroad programs for students majoring in justice studies.

Career opportunities

Students emerge from this program with knowledge and skills designed to advance social justice in a variety of careers. Program graduates work in many fields, including:

  • administration
  • education
  • human welfare and social work
  • law
  • local, state and federal government
  • nongovernmental organizations
  • philanthropy
  • public service fields
  • social advocacy
  • unions

Many graduates go on to law school, graduate school or other professional degree programs.

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.


Career *Growth *Median salary
3.5%
$99,940
6.5%
$47,290
1.5%
$86,280
4.8%
$50,470
2.2%
$151,030
Lawyer   Bright Outlook
7.5%
$135,740
5.0%
$64,030
6.6%
$128,020
2.6%
$75,390
9.1%
$74,240
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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