Program Overview

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Criminal Justice Studies

Overview

Explore the foundations of criminal justice, thoroughly examining critical topics such as mental health law, youth in the justice system, public policy, and national security. Criminal Justice Studies touches on all factors related to crime, the law, and the justice system. Coursework introduces students to police, court, and corrections operations; crime and public policy; juvenile justice; mental health law; white-collar crime; national security; and intelligence policies. Sponsored by the Rombach Institute on Crime, Delinquency, and Corrections, this Bachelor of Science program helps students develop the ability to think critically about criminal justice issues, a necessity in an increasingly complex and politicized society. Other career-ready skills that students develop throughout their course studies include leadership, ethics, and management.

Learning Outcomes

• Criminal Justice Systems: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the American criminal justice system from the creation of laws to their application by police, courts, and corrections.
• Politics of Crime: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the intersection between criminal justice practice and political processes and institutions.
• Foundations: Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of foundational concepts, practices, theories, and methodologies used in the study of (their chosen field within) criminal justice.
• Research: Students will demonstrate research, writing, and comprehension skills relevant to the field of criminal justice.
• Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate critical thinking about criminal justice issues by assessing competing arguments and developing proficiency in communicating arguments in oral and/or written formats.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• PA 241: Criminal Justice Administration
• PA 332: Survey of Forensic Science
• PA 419: Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Career Fields

• Law enforcement
• National security
• Law
• Forensic science
• Court administration

Level of Math

Moderate Knowledge

The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus-Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).

Level of Second Language

2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

No

This Major's College

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

2025, Criminal Justice Studies

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
• Foundation Mathematics
• 1st Semester Second Language
• UNIV 101: Intro to General Education

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
• 2nd Semester Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

Second Year

3rd Semester

• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• SBS 200 or MATH 163
• PA 241 - Criminal Justice Administration
• POL 201 - American National Government

4th Semester

• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• ECON 200 - Basic Economic Policy
• PA 206 - Public Policy and Administration
• POL 202, 203, 204, or 209 (Pick one)
• Minor Class

Third Year

5th Semester

• UNIV 301: GE Capstone
• CJS Elective
• CJS Elective
• Minor Class
• General Elective

6th Semester

• CJS Elective
• Minor Class
• Minor Class
• General Elective

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• PA 331 or PA 330 - Criminal Justice Ethics or Ethics for the Public Administrator
• PA 493 - CJS Internship
• CJS Elective
• Minor Class
• General Elective

8th Semester

• PA 410 - Intro to Public and Nonprofit Financial Management
• PA 470 - Public Organizational Management
• CJS Elective
• Minor Class

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

Maps to One Requirement

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.

Can Map in Multiple Ways

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major. This means that the transfer course could meet any of the matching requirements but does not mean it fulfills all matching requirements.

Ask an Advisor

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.