College of Liberal Arts and Education

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

A Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, prepares one to work in a wide variety of careers, public and private, at various levels of responsibility. These careers can include federal, state, and local policing: other regulatory agencies of various branches of government; various levels of private investigation and private security; and a variety of careers in corrections; including parole and probation as well as institutional corrections. Students planning on pursuing a law degree have often found criminal justice a relevant major.

Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary area that draws much of its content from law, psychology, political science, and sociology. The goal of the criminal justice curriculum is to make students aware of the key issues, concepts, and theories involved in understanding the operation of the criminal justice system. With this knowledge, students are taught to analyze the practical issues and controversies of the field. Problem solving, the ability to make discriminating judgments, and the application of theory to practice are key skills that the program fosters.

Degree Requirements:

University Core Curriculum (45 cr.)

Supportive Courses (15 cr.)

  • PYC 342 Abnormal Psychology (3cr.)
  • POL 100 Intro to Political Science (3cr.)
  • SOC 100 Intro to Sociology (3cr.)

At least two of the following courses: (6cr)

  • LA 110 Intro to Law
  • ADS 100 Intro to Substance Abuse
  • HUS 150/SW 200 Intro to Human Services or Social Work

Note: In the case of the introductory courses listed above, students may substitute a higher level course in the same discipline, with the consent of their advisor

Criminal Justice Major (45 cr.)

  • CJS 130 Intro to criminal Justice (3cr.)
  • COR 131 Intro to Corrections (3cr.)
  • CJS 395 Criminal Investigation (3cr.)
  • CJS 410 Criminal Law (3cr.)
  • CJS 415 Juvenile Justice (3cr.)
  • CJS 420 Evidence and Criminal Procedure (3cr.)
  • CJS 451 Criminology and Penology (3cr.)
  • CJS 454 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (3cr.)
  • CJS 492 Senior Seminar: Theory and Research in Criminal Justice (3cr.)

Any three courses among CJS, COR, and SEC: (9 cr.)

Principal Electives:

  • SEC 401/501 Security Systems (3cr.)
  • CJS 250 Intro to Police Administration (3cr.)
  • CJS 402 Court Structures and Functions (3cr.)
  • CJS 405 Directed studies (3cr.)
  • CJS 416 Gangs and Deviant Social Groups
  • CJS 452 Organized Crime (3cr.)
  • CJS 480 Theory of Law Enforcement (3cr.)
  • CJS 481 Gender Issues in Justice (3cr.)
  • CJS 482 Terrorism (3cr.)
  • CJS 483 Family Violence: Spouse and Child Abuse (3cr.)
  • CJS 484 Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Law (3cr.)
  • CJS 485 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice (3cr.)
  • CJS 487 Victimology (3cr.)
  • CJS 490 Internship in Criminal Justice Studies (3cr.)
  • CJS 495 Criminalistics (3cr.)
  • HUS 441 Multicultural Understanding (3cr.)
Field Experience:

The Criminal Justice Studies Major may obtain field experience in two programs:

  1. Cooperative Education: Planned paid experience in federal, state, and local law enforcement and correctional agencies as well as private security and campus police.
  2. Internship: Students have a 180 hour supervised experience under the direction of a faculty member.

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