Academic Catalog

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. The approved 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. 

Required Core Courses
CRJ 1010Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 2550Race, Crime and Justice3
CRJ 3550Research Methods in Criminal Justice3
CRJ 3800Criminological Theories3
Approved Electives
Select a minimum of twenty-seven credits of the following (a minimum of 12 credits must be at the 3000-level or higher; any CRJ course that is not part of the core can count as an elective):27
Outsiders and Deviants
Gender and Crime
Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
Mental Health and Crime
Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice
Politics of the Criminal Justice Process
Police and Society
Investigation
Corrections
Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
The Judicial Process
Comparative Criminal Justice
Crime and Public Health
Criminalistics
Child Abuse and Neglect
Correctional Counseling Methods
Wrongful Conviction and Justice System Error
Constitutional Criminal Procedure
Internship in Criminal Justice
Directed Study
Honors Thesis in Criminal Justice
Dispute Resolution
Special Topics in Criminal Justice
Special Topics in Criminology
Total Credits39
 

Transfer Credit

Students should visit the transfer credit website and consult with the 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 of superior academic ability who are majoring in criminal justice. To be recommended for an honors degree from this department, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3. They must accumulate at least twelve credits in honors-designated course work from various departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, including honors requirements within Criminal Justice and at least one 42xx-level Honors College seminar. Honors students must complete an original Honors Thesis during their senior year. For information about the requirements of the department's honors curriculum, contact the Criminal Justice Honors Director or Academic Services Officer (313-577-0772).

‘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 3.6. For additional eligibility information, interested students should contact the Criminal Justice Academic Services Officer (313-577-0772).

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 junior year. For non-majors wishing to take a pre-law sequence of courses in criminal justice, the following are recommended:

CRJ 1010Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 3260Investigation3
CRJ 3700The Judicial Process3
CRJ 4740Constitutional Criminal Procedure3
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