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Criminal Justice (B.A.)

The B.A. program is distinctive in its combined emphasis of introductory professional skills and theoretical foundations. Career preparation reinforced by commitment to lifelong learning and advanced education that extends beyond the baccalaureate level are central to the study of this demanding field of inquiry. Simulations and review of problem-solving methods from actual cases are used to enhance the student’s understanding of lectures and materials. By examining decision-making processes, including policy analysis and the day-to-day practical operations of various components of the criminal justice system, participants learn to value and apply "theory to practice."

Exploration of traditional and contemporary models of crime prevention, criminal investigation, jurisprudence, punishment and rehabilitation, and organization and administrative theory help prepare graduates for eventual advancement to management positions in law enforcement, correctional, and court (probation and parole) agencies. Graduates of this rapidly developing field also find positions in corporate security firms and with government and private research agencies.

Upon successful completion of the criminal justice program, students will be able to

  • demonstrate a working knowledge of criminal justice and how its component parts function;
  • demonstrate skills in the use of research methods and statistics;
  • demonstrate proficiency in written communication; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and exhibit their application to social phenomena.

Degree Requirements — Criminal Justice

This degree requires 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses in the major.

CJ 200Careers in Criminal Justice

1

CJ 207Juvenile Justice

3

CJ 209The Criminal Justice System *

3

CJ 250Deviant Behavior

3

CJ 304Applied Research Methods *

3

CJ 305Criminology *

3

CJ 312Criminal Justice Management

3

CJ 400Internship *

6

CJ 495Senior Seminar *

3

SOC 131Principles of Sociology *

3

Five (5) courses from the following:

CJ 201Principles of Forensic Science

3

CJ 202Principles in Forensic Science II

3

CJ 205Crime, Media, and Culture

3

CJ 302Introduction to Counterintelligence

3

CJ 310Policing in American Society

3

CJ 311Correctional Institutions

3

CJ 320Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism

3

LA 302Criminal Litigation

3

PH 301Social and Political Philosophy *

3

PSY 220Social Psychology

3

PSY 230Abnormal Psychology *

3

PSY 332Psychology of Addictions

3

SOC 322Racial and Ethnic Diversity *

3

Sample Degree Plan — Criminal Justice

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

SOC 131Principles of Sociology *

3

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

DSC 101DISCOVER First-Year Seminar *

3

EN 101: WR core course

MA 132: MT core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

CJ 200Careers in Criminal Justice

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

 

PSY 101General Psychology *

3

OR

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

 

Natural Science (NS) core course *

CJ 209The Criminal Justice System *

3

EN 102: WR core course

PSY 101, PSY 110: SS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

CJ 207Juvenile Justice

3

CJ 250Deviant Behavior

3

HI
Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

EN
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Two — Spring

CJ 300Writing for Criminal Justice *

3

LA 302Criminal Litigation

3

CJ 305Criminology *

3

PH
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

 

POL 104American Government *

3

OR

ECO 210Principles of Microeconomics *

3

OR

ECO 211Principles of Macroeconomics *

3

OR

Natural Science (NS) core course *

POL 104, ECO 210, ECO 211: SS-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

CJ 304Applied Research Methods *

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course (Advanced History recommended) *

One (1) major elective

Two (2) electives

Year Three — Spring

Two (2) major electives

CJ 312Criminal Justice Management

3

One (1) elective

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

Major elective: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Fall

CJ 495Senior Seminar *

3

One (1) major elective

One (1) major elective

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Major elective: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Spring

CJ 400Internship *

6

One (1) major elective

Two (2) electives

Major elective: See Major Requirements for course selections.

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.