Transfer Student Information

Information for Students Transferring into the B.S. in Criminal Justice

Welcome to all the new transfer students arriving from local junior colleges and other four year schools! We're very happy that you chose UT Tyler to finish your degree program and even happier that you picked Criminal Justice as your major. 

The CJ faculty wanted to create a special page for transfer students to address some of the most common questions and concerns that transfer students have. Navigating the UT system will become easier after your first semester here. If you have additional questions beyond what is listed below, please feel free to get in touch with one of the CJ faculty members listed in this toolkit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I meet with my advisor?

A: Immediately, and every semester! Your advisor will help keep you on track for graduation, so you should check in with your advisor every semester to make sure you are taking the right courses to complete your degree plan. Advising is handled through the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center, which is located on the second floor of the College of Arts & Science (CAS) building.

Q: Will all of my CJ credits from the local junior college transfer over directly?

A: Beginning in Fall 2020, lower-division courses within the Texas Field of Study will count towards completion of your Criminal Justice major. If you completed anything else within the 1000- or 2000-level, those courses will count toward the 120 total credits needs for graduation, but will not count for the major. For more information about the current CJ curriculum, visit this page.

Q: What if I went to a four-year university like UT Tyler?

A: There is more leeway with transfers from a four-year university. However, we might not be able to take everything as a direct transfer. Elective courses are transferred in without issue, however core major courses like CRIJ 4322 (Research Methods) will need to be taken here with our faculty. Your advisors and the CJ Undergraduate Coordinator (Dr. Klein, jenniferklein@uttyler.edu) can help address transfer questions regarding specific courses from specific universities.

Q: Are the CJ courses at UT Tyler different than my junior college classes?

A: Most of the curriculum is taught at the 3000- and 4000-level. This means that there is a different expectation from students compared to 1000- and 2000-level courses. You may be assigned more readings, more writing assignments, and we will expect more from you. Our upper-division courses will give you the opportunity to explore topics you are interested in at a deeper level. Additionally, many of our courses offer activity based learning exercises so you will be actively engaged in your classroom throughout your time here. If you ever need additional help and guidance in your coursework, please reach out to the Criminal Justice faculty. We know that you can succeed here! 

Q: Will I have to write a lot in this program?

A: The CJ Program here at UT Tyler is a writing intensive program in which all faculty members assign several writing assignments per semester. Even in CRIJ 1301! But we believe that students need to be prepared for careers in which writing will be required. Law enforcement officers are required to write reports, and attorneys draft legal documents so we need to be sure that you can write proficiently before you leave us.

Q: Do I need to purchase textbooks for my courses at UT Tyler?

A: Here at UT Tyler, we will never ask you to purchase anything that you won't use in classes. We know that textbooks are expensive and that many students are on a limited budget. The CJ faculty have all selected textbooks with your wallets in mind.