Introduction to Criminology
Self-paced online Introduction to Criminology course (Criminology 150). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →New JerseyPublic safety
Criminology, psychology, sociology: the three courses officers ask about most
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Criminology, psychology and sociology are the three courses future officers ask about most because they explain crime, behaviour and communities. NJSP does not name a major, so any credit from an accredited college counts toward its routes. These three suit the work and fit most criminal justice degrees later.
Why these three
Police work is about people. Criminology explains why crime happens and how the justice system responds. Psychology explains how people think and act under stress. Sociology explains how communities, groups and inequality shape what officers see on a shift. Together they give a new officer a frame for most calls.
The New Jersey State Police does not require a major. Its routes count credits from an accredited college or university in any subject. Choosing these three is about readiness and about later degree plans, not about meeting a named course rule.
What each course covers
Each of these is a 3-credit introductory course with an ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation.
| Course | Main topics | Use on the job |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Criminology | Theories of crime, victims, policing, courts, corrections | Context for arrests, reports and court |
| Introduction to Psychology | Behaviour, stress, memory, mental health | De-escalation and interviews |
| Introduction to Sociology | Groups, culture, inequality, deviance | Community policing |
| Abnormal Psychology | Mental health conditions and treatment | Crisis calls |
| Ethics in the Social Sciences | Ethical theories and dilemmas | Use-of-force and integrity questions |
Adding writing and ethics
Officers write every day. Reports go to supervisors, prosecutors and courts, and a weak report can sink a case. English Composition 1 is the usual first college writing course and fits almost every degree. Ethics in the Social Sciences adds structured thinking about hard choices, a theme in every police academy.
With criminology, psychology, sociology, writing and ethics you have five courses, or about 15 credits. For someone at 45 credits that closes the gap to 60.
- Core three: criminology, psychology, sociology.
- Add for writing: English Composition 1.
- Add for judgement: Ethics in the Social Sciences.
- Add for crisis calls: Abnormal Psychology.
Getting the credit on a transcript
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. Our courses carry ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations, and they count toward NJSP's routes only once an accredited college or university posts the credit on its own transcript. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit, and many other colleges do the same.
Before you start, ask the college how it would post each course, and ask the NJSP Recruiting Unit in writing whether credit posted that way counts. Then study at your own pace and send the college's official transcript with your application.
Looking past the Academy
Credits do not stop mattering once you are hired. A bachelor's degree helps with promotion, specialist units and federal roles, and these three courses fit most criminal justice and social science degrees. Planning them as the start of a degree, not only as a way to reach 60 credits, gets more value from the same work.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask the NJSP Recruiting Unit in writing whether credit posted by a college from ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses counts toward your option, before you enrol, and keep the reply.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Do I need criminology to join the State Police?
No. NJSP's minimum qualifications count degrees or credits from an accredited college or university and do not name a major or course. Criminology is popular because it explains crime and the justice system, but psychology, sociology, writing or any other subject also counts toward the credit totals.
Which course should I take first?
Introduction to Psychology is a common first choice, because it supports both criminology and sociology and fits almost every degree. If writing is a weak spot, take English Composition 1 early, since report writing matters from the first week at the Academy and on every shift after.
How many credits are these courses?
Each is a 3-credit introductory course with an ACE or NCCRS recommendation. The college that posts the credit decides how many credits it gives and where they count in a degree, so ask it in writing before you enrol, and ask NJSP whether credit posted that way counts.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Get NJSP's answer in writing first, then close your credit gap at your own pace and have a college post the credit.
Sources
- NJSP: Minimum qualifications and disqualifiers (official)Education options: bachelor's from an accredited college or university; associate degree or 60 college credits plus 24 months (104 weeks, at least 20 hours a week, military counts) of experience; 30 college credits plus 24 months of active duty; or 80 credits by 31 Aug 2026 with a bachelor's by 31 Aug 2027 (not considered for the current selection). Age at least 20 at application, 21 at Academy start, under 35 at Academy graduation; New Jersey residency on graduation. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.