Program Overview
Introduction to the Criminal Justice Program
The Bachelor of Science program in Criminal Justice is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary understanding of crime and justice within the framework of broader social processes. The program aims to expose students to all elements of crime and the criminal justice system, fostering a systematic understanding of how the entire system functions.
Program Overview
The curriculum is structured to offer students a comprehensive education by providing a fundamental understanding of the causes and correlates of crime and the criminal justice system. Both analytical and writing skills are developed to prepare students for professional roles or advanced study in graduate or law school.
Core Criminal Justice Courses
The program includes core courses on:
- Theories of criminal behavior
- Criminal justice institutions
- Criminal justice research methods
- The criminal justice process These courses are designed to give students an advanced understanding of crime, the criminal justice system, and contemporary criminal justice reform. Criminal justice majors must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average overall and in the major.
Criminal Justice Electives
A minimum of twenty-seven credits must be selected for elective course work in criminal justice. This provides students with an opportunity to explore and critically analyze areas of personal interest.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work, including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the departmental major requirements. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Course List
Required core courses include:
- CRJ 1010: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
- CRJ 2550: Race, Crime and Justice (3 credits)
- CRJ 3550: Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
- CRJ 3800: Criminological Theories (3 credits) Approved electives require selecting a minimum of twenty-seven credits in any CRJ course that is not part of the required core, with a minimum of 12 credits at the 3000-level or higher.
Transfer Credit
Students should consult with a Criminal Justice Academic Advisor to determine the applicability of transfer credits toward the major.
Criminal Justice Honors (B.S. Program)
The Honors Program in Criminal Justice is open to students majoring in criminal justice who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 and at least a 3.3 major GPA. Requirements for Criminal Justice honors include:
- Two criminal justice courses with the honors designation
- An approved honors thesis (CRJ 4998)
- At least one 4200-level seminar offered through the Honors College
'AGRADE' Program (Accelerated Graduate Enrollment)
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) Program allows qualified seniors to apply a maximum of fifteen credits toward both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. Qualifications for AGRADE include Senior status and a minimum major g.p.a. of 3.3.
Senior Rule Study
Minimum requirements for Senior Rule study include a 3.0 grade point average for the junior and senior years of study, and at least one (but not more than ten) credits remaining to be completed for the undergraduate degree. Interested seniors should consult with their Academic Advisor for further information.
Pre-Law Advising and Curriculum
Students considering legal careers and wishing to major or minor in criminal justice should notify their Criminal Justice Academic Advisor at the beginning of their coursework in criminal justice.