Best AP Classes for Criminal Justice Majors
Plan AP classes by grade level, priority, prerequisites, college-credit caveats, and Fiveable study resources.
By Amanda DoAmaral · Updated Jul 16, 2026
For criminal justice, the best AP® classes are AP Government, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP US History, and AP English Language. The field connects law, institutions, behavior, evidence, and public policy.
Use this guide with Fiveable's AP US Government, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP US History, and AP English Language.
Recommended AP sequence for criminal justice
| Grade | Best AP focus | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 9th grade | AP Human Geography or no AP class | Builds context for communities and institutions. |
| 10th grade | AP Psychology or AP World History | Adds behavior and historical context. |
| 11th grade | AP Government, AP US History, AP English Language | Builds law, institutions, and argument writing. |
| 12th grade | AP Statistics, AP Comparative Government, AP Research | Adds evidence, global systems, and research. |
Priority tiers
| Tier | AP classes | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | AP Government, AP Psychology, AP US History | Best foundation for criminal justice. |
| Useful | AP Statistics, AP English Language, AP Comparative Government | Supports evidence, writing, and institutional comparison. |
| Optional | AP Research, AP Human Geography, AP Biology | Useful for research, communities, or forensic interests. |
Prerequisites and alternatives
Start with the highest available AP in the essential tier. If your school does not offer one of these AP classes, choose the closest honors or dual-enrollment course that builds the same skills: government and law, psychology, US history, statistics, or argument writing.
Credit caveats
Criminal justice programs may include major-specific courses in courts, policing, corrections, criminology, and research methods. AP courses can support preparation and general education, but department policies vary.
Fiveable resources for criminal justice AP classes
| AP subject | Study hub | Practice | FRQs | Score calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP US Government | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP Psychology | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP Statistics | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP US History | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP English Language | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
Official planning notes
A few things are worth checking before you lock in a schedule.
- College Board's AP Courses and Exams page lists current AP subjects and course categories.
- Use College Board's AP Credit Policy Search to check college-specific credit and placement.
- Check the criminal justice department's own prerequisites before assuming AP credit will count toward the major.
Related AP career guides
Compare this plan with AP classes for law, AP classes for political science, AP classes for psychology, and AP classes by major.
Frequently Asked Questions About AP Classes for Criminal Justice
What AP classes are most important for criminal justice?
AP Government, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP US History, and AP English Language are the best starting point, but the right schedule depends on your school's course sequence, your math placement, and how many AP classes you can take while doing well.
Do AP classes guarantee college credit?
No. Colleges set their own AP credit and placement policies, and some majors use AP scores differently than the general university policy. Always check the specific colleges and departments on your list.
Should I take every AP class connected to my intended major?
Usually no. Colleges care about rigor, grades, and fit. Prioritize the courses that build the strongest foundation first, then add useful electives if your schedule can handle them.