Program Overview

Introduction to the Criminal Justice BS Program

The East Carolina University Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology prepares the next generation of criminal justice leaders. Our programs combine academic rigor with practical experience to equip you for careers in the criminal legal system or for advanced study.

About the Program

The Criminal Justice BS program is designed for students interested in studying crime and criminal justice. You'll learn from award-winning faculty whose expertise spans law enforcement, forensic science, homeland security, criminology, juvenile delinquency, law, corrections, organized crime, transnational crime, terrorism, and more. Our graduates work in government agencies, corporations, and organizations worldwide.

Program Details

• The program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students must maintain an overall 2.0 GPA throughout the program and earn a C (2.0) or higher in all CRIM courses.
• Criminal justice majors must complete CRIM 2004 before enrolling in courses above CRIM 2999.

General Education Requirements

• 40 semester hours, including:
  • POLS 1010 - National Government
  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
  • SOCI 2110 - Introduction to Sociology

Core Requirements

• 18 semester hours, including:
  • CRIM 1000 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 2004 - Crime and Criminality
  • CRIM 3700 - Special Populations in the Criminal Justice System
  • CRIM 3800 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 3900 - Introductory Statistics for Criminal Justice
  • CRIM 4500 - Issues and Problems in Criminal Justice

Electives

• 33 semester hours, including:
  • Criminology courses (6 semester hours)
    • Choose from:
      • CRIM 3003 - Drugs and Crime
      • CRIM 3400 - Introduction to Victimology
      • CRIM 3525 - Media and Crime
      • CRIM 3605 - White-Collar Crime
      • CRIM 4005 - Organized Crime
      • CRIM 4615 - Terrorism and Criminal Justice
      • CRIM 4620 - Transnational and Global Crime
      • CRIM 4625 - Crime and Health
  • Justice systems courses (6 semester hours)
    • Choose from:
      • CRIM 2009 - Corrections in the United States
      • CRIM 2012 - Police and Society
      • CRIM 3007 - Criminal Investigation
      • CRIM 3112 - Advanced Seminar in Law Enforcement
      • CRIM 3200 - The Juvenile Justice System
      • CRIM 3503 - Courts and Judicial Process
      • CRIM 3620 - Homeland Security
      • CRIM 4006 - Community Corrections
  • Writing intensive course (3 semester hours)
    • Choose from:
      • CRIM 3501 - Criminal Procedure
      • CRIM 3502 - Legal Aspects of Corrections
      • CRIM 4300 - Criminal Justice Organizational Roles and Leadership
  • Criminal justice courses above 2999 (18 semester hours)
    • Choose from:
      • Crime analysis
        • CRIM 3150 - Introduction to Crime Analysis
        • CRIM 4150 - Introduction to Crime Mapping
        • CRIM 4250 - Applied Crime Analysis
      • Diversity
        • CRIM 4602 - Gender-Based Violence
        • CRIM 4605 - Hate Crime
      • Forensic science
        • CRIM 3020 - Introduction to Forensic Science
        • CRIM 3022 - Crime Scene Investigation
        • CRIM 3023 - Forensic Impressions and Markings
      • General criminal justice electives
        • CRIM 3006 - Security Systems
        • CRIM 3101 - Conflict Management
        • CRIM 3102 - Interviewing in Criminal Justice
        • CRIM 3500 - Principles of Criminal Law
        • CRIM 4000 - Comparative Criminal Justice
        • CRIM 4004 - Criminal Justice History
        • CRIM 4330 - Field Education and Seminar I
        • CRIM 4450 - Accountability and Ethics in Criminal Justice
        • CRIM 4600 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice
        • CRIM 4660 - Field Education and Seminar II
        • CRIM 4990 - Field Education and Seminar III

Minor and/or General Electives

• 29 semester hours to complete requirements for graduation.

ECU Advantage

East Carolina's Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers:

• Expert Faculty: Award-winning professors with diverse expertise in criminal justice, criminology, and related disciplines.
• Engaged Learning: Opportunities to join the national criminal justice honor society, participate in field experiences, study abroad, and conduct independent research with faculty mentors.
• Pathways to Advancement: A Bachelor of Science program that prepares you for careers or graduate study, including an accelerated BS/MS option and our own online master's degree in criminal justice.
• Flexibility: An online degree-completion option designed for working professionals and adult learners.