Criminal Justice Studies (B.A.)
Criminology/Criminal Justice is a broad field of study that includes the contributions and approaches of many of the social and behavioral sciences, as well as areas of study such as law and ethics, as they relate to the phenomenon of crime. The Criminal Justice Studies major prepares students for employment in a wide variety of criminal justice agencies, under local, state and federal jurisdictions, as well as the private sector. This major can also serve as a foundation for graduate study in criminology, law, social work, sociology, psychology, and government including public administration.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in ISCJS-101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies, CJS-240 Criminology, CJS-342 Advanced Criminology, SOC-301 Sociological Research Methods, SOC-303 Sociological Quantitative Analysis and all capstone courses. Courses may be retaken once to meet this requirement. If, after taking the course a second time, a student has not achieved the required grade, the student should meet with the student's advisor or the department chair to discuss implications.
Integrative Studies Requirements
40 credits minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (44 credits) | ||
| Criminal Justice Studies Required Courses: | ||
| ISCJS-101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies | 4 |
| CJS-240 | Criminology | 4 |
| CJS-342 | Advanced Criminology | 4 |
| SOC-301 | Sociological Research Methods | 4 |
| SOC-303 | Sociological Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Criminal Law and Procedure | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Law and Justice in Society | ||
| Select one of the following capstone courses: | 4 | |
| Special Populations and the CJS | ||
| White-Collar Crime | ||
| Terrorism | ||
| The Sociology of Punishment | ||
| Women and Crime | ||
| Race & Crime in the Media | ||
| Order, Chaos, and Violence | ||
| Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice Stud | ||
| State Crimes | ||
| Criminal Justice Studies Elective Courses | 16 | |
| Students must select Four (4) additional courses (or courses totaling 16 credits) from the CJS Elective Courses list. Two (2) of these courses must be at the 300 level or higher. Note that special topics courses may be available. Contact the Criminal Justice Studies coordinator for a list of qualified topics courses. Furthermore, the student should be aware that some of the courses listed have prerequisites that must be met or waived by the instructor of record before they can be registered for the course. | ||
| Topics in Criminal Justice Studies | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Homeland Security | ||
| Topics in Criminal Justice | ||
| Perspectives on U S Policing | ||
| Life After Incarceration | ||
| Case Studies in Violence | ||
| Sociology of Deviance | ||
| Juvenile Delinquency | ||
| Criminal Justice Administration | ||
| Studies in Criminal Justice | ||
| Terrorism | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Courts, Law and Politics | ||
| Environmental Law & Regulation | ||
| Philosophy and the Holocaust | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Topics in Sociology and Anthropology | ||
| Anthropology of Conflict and Violence | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Social Policy | ||
| Global Ethnic Relations | ||
| Race, State, & Justice | ||
| Sociology & Social Justice | ||
| Social Stratification | ||
| Topics in Psychology and the Human Services | ||
| AOD: The Fundamentals | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Topics in Forensics | ||
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Forensic Biology | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | |
Electives
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level
Upon completion of the Criminal Justice Studies major students will be able:
- To apply a liberal arts perspective to understand the criminal justice system
- To define, explain, and critically assess the function of the U.S. criminal justice system
- To identify and understand major steps in the judicial/legal process
- To understand criminality from various perspectives (psychological, sociological, philosophical and political)
- To analyze the law, law enforcement, and punishment within a changing political, historical, economic, moral and cultural context