Program Overview

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Introduction to the Criminology and Criminal Justice Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University incorporates an interdisciplinary perspective to examine the causes and correlates of criminal behavior and the institutions that respond to such behavior. A degree in criminology and criminal justice from Saint Louis University provides a comprehensive academic foundation into the nature of criminal offending, victimization, law enforcement, court administration, the law, and both community and institutional corrections.

Program Overview

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program seeks to strengthen the criminal justice systems and, more importantly, communities by focusing on the factors that cause crime and violence and on the humanity of victims, offenders, and practitioners. This major is a good fit for students interested in legal studies, law enforcement at the local, state, or federal levels, and working with adults and/or juveniles in correctional settings, as well as those pursuing graduate education or a law degree.

Program Highlights

• The program is innovative in its approach to improving the justice system by focusing on the humanity of those involved in and impacted by crime and violence in communities.
• The program challenges and intellectually engages students with the latest criminology and criminal justice theory, research, and practice.
• The major allows students to live what they learn through compassionate service.

Curriculum Overview

The criminology and criminal justice curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including:

• Theories of crime
• Criminal justice ethics
• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Legal procedures
• Criminal justice research In addition, students tailor the major to their individual needs and interests by selecting from elective courses.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 120 credits for graduation. The program offers coursework that provides students with a foundation for understanding the causes and correlates of crime and the systems that respond to criminal and delinquent behavior.

Additional Degree Options

• Accelerated Program: High-achieving students may apply to this selective program during their junior year. This accelerated program allows students to begin taking graduate-level criminology and criminal justice courses in their senior year of undergraduate studies.
• Honors Courses: The criminology and criminal justice program offers advanced coursework approved for Honors credit.
• Minor: For those pursuing other majors who are also interested in criminology and criminal justice, the program offers a minor that provides students with a foundation for understanding a variety of criminology and criminal justice professions and the core values of the field.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The benefits of the program also include internships and job opportunities. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience and make professional contacts before pursuing employment. Partnerships with a wide variety of agencies and organizations all over St. Louis City and St. Louis County provide students with diverse options for their internship and/or externship experiences.

Career Opportunities

A B.A. in criminology and criminal justice from Saint Louis University opens doors to employment in the criminal and juvenile justice systems and many nonprofit organizations. Graduates might also pursue further education in law or other social sciences in preparation for academic, research, or other professional careers. Career opportunities in criminology and criminal justice include:

• Correctional officer
• Criminal investigator
• Detective
• Federal agent
• Juvenile justice staff/administrator
• Lawyer
• Police officer
• Policy analyst
• Private security
• Probation/parole officer
• Researcher
• Youth worker

Tuition

• Undergraduate tuition: $56,960 per year
• Additional charges may apply.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Apply criminology/criminal justice theory
• Conduct criminology/criminal justice research
• Demonstrate multicultural criminology/criminal justice competence
• Apply criminology/criminal justice theories and/or practices/policies of social, human, and criminal justice
• Assess the ethical implications of criminology/criminal justice and practice ethical principles

Course List

The following courses are required for the major:

• CCJ 1010: Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CCJ 2050: Multiculturalism for Criminal Justice Professionals (or CCJ 2100: Multiculturalism for the Workplace)
• CCJ 2150: Criminology: Nature of Crime
• CCJ 2200: Policing & Society
• CCJ 2250: Institutional & Community Corrections
• CCJ 3200: Ethics in Criminal Justice
• CCJ 3450: Gender, Sexuality, and the Criminal Justice System (or CCJ 3500: Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System)
• CCJ 3700: Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• CCJ 3750: Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• CCJ 4050: Criminal Law & Procedure
• CCJ 4800: Criminology and Criminal Justice Capstone

Electives

Students must select 9 credits of courses with a CCJ Major Elective attribute, which may include:

• CCJ 3100: Juvenile Justice & Delinquency
• CCJ 3150: Contemporary Theories of Crime
• CCJ 3300: Corporate & White Collar Crime
• CCJ 3350: Understanding Serial Killers
• CCJ 3400: Victimology & Victimization
• CCJ 3401X: American Incarceration
• CCJ 3600: Mental Health & Crime
• CCJ 4910: Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship

General Electives

Students should select additional credits of general electives to achieve the minimum 120 credits for graduation.

Continuation Standards

A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 is required. Students must earn a grade of 'C-' or higher in all courses used to fulfill the major.

Plan of Study

A recommended semester-by-semester plan of study is provided, assuming full-time enrollment. Courses and milestones designated as critical must be completed in the semester listed to ensure timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.