Criminal Justice (B.S.)
The Bachelor of Science program is structured to provide students with a multidisciplinary understanding of crime and justice within the framework of broader social processes. Required courses expose a criminology and criminal justice major to all elements of crime and the criminal justice system to foster a systematic understanding of how the entire system functions. Practical field experience can be arranged under the guidance of the internship coordinator.
The curriculum is designed 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 include classes on theories of criminal behavior, criminal justice institutions, criminal justice research methods, and 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. Criminal justice electives provide 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 cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
It is the student’s responsibility to meet with a Criminal Justice Academic Advisor to officially declare their Major and to identify all major and degree requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| CRJ 1010 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 2550 | Race, Crime and Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 3550 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 3800 | Criminological Theories | 3 |
| Approved Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of twenty-seven credits in any CRJ course that is not part of the required core (a minimum of 12 credits must be at the 3000-level or higher) | 27 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Transfer Credit
Students should visit the transfer credit website and 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 are:
- Two criminal justice courses with the honors designation
- An approved honors thesis (CRJ 4998)
- At least one 4200-level seminar (HON 4200-HON 4280) offered through the Honors College
Honors students must complete an original Honors Thesis during their senior year. For information about the requirements of the department's honors curriculum, contact a Criminal Justice Academic Advisor.
‘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. For additional eligibility information, interested students should contact your Criminal Justice Advisor.
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. Additional limitations and requirements apply for this status and for continuing graduate study in criminal justice. 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.