B.A. in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Program provides students with the scholarship and skills necessary to be proficient and successful in all aspects of the criminal justice system. The program also provides a solid foundation on which to continue your education in graduate school.
Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a proficiency in critical reading, thinking, and listening skills.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of, and be able to apply, fundamental United States Constitutional principles of law.
- Students will be able to describe the complex nature of law and the criminal justice system.
- Students will be able to describe and evaluate the relationship between philosophy, theory, policy, and practice in the criminal justice system.
- Students will be able to collect and interpret information on relevant topics concerning the justice system, as well as applying recognized techniques of analysis to research questions.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the roles, functions, and limitations of corrections in the criminal justice system.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical concerns in the field of Criminal Justice.
- Students will be able to evaluate the validity of theories of victimization and recognize the impact of crime.
- Student will demonstrate an understanding of theories of leadership and supervision in the criminal justice profession.
Requirements (34 credits)
Required Courses (22 credits)
| JUS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| JUS211 | The Corrections System | 4 |
| JUS215 | Judicial Processes | 4 |
| JUS251 | Law Enforcement | 4 |
| PS221 | Law & Contemporary American Society | 4 |
| JUS425 | Senior Seminar | 4 |
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Students must select THREE (3) elective courses TWO (2) of which must be 300-level or above.
| JUS201 | Women & the Criminal Justice System | 4 |
| JUS205 | Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| JUS210 | Legal Research Writing | 4 |
| JUS221 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| JUS231 | Criminal Procedure | 4 |
| JUS241 | Public Policy & Administration | 4 |
| JUS301 | Juvenile Law & Justice | 4 |
| JUS305 | Public Safety Leadership and Supervision | 4 |
| JUS311 | Intimate Violence | 4 |
| JUS325 | Victimology | 4 |
| JUS327 | Victim Law & Services | 4 |
| JUS341 | Women & the Law | 4 |
| JUS405 | Research Methods for Justice Studies Professionals | 4 |
| JUS490 | Special Topics in Justice Studies | 4 |
| JUS491 | Independent Study | 4 |
It is highly recommended that students take JUS405 if they intend to apply to graduate school. JUS495 Internship may not fulfill an elective slot.
Prerequisites for Combined B.A./M.A.
Students who wish to apply to the B.A./M.A. combined program will need to complete two of the following prerequisite undergraduate courses:
| JUS305 | Public Safety Leadership and Supervision | 4 |
| JUS325 | Victimology | 4 |
| JUS405 | Research Methods for Justice Studies Professionals | 4 |
Course Sequence for B.A. in Criminal Justice
First Year
Fall Semester (16 Credits)
| JUS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PS221 | Law & Contemporary American Society | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 10 |
Spring Semester (14 Credits)
| JUS215 | Judicial Processes | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 10 |
Second Year
Fall Semester (16 Credits)
| JUS211 | The Corrections System | 4 |
| JUS | Elective | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 8 |
Spring Semester (16 Credits)
| JUS251 | Law Enforcement | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 12 |
Third Year
Fall Semester (16 Credits)
| JUS | Elective | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 12 |
Spring Semester (16 Credits)
| JUS | Elective | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 12 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (12 Credits)
| JUS490 | Special Topics in Justice Studies | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 10 |
Spring Semester (14 Credits)
| JUS495 | Internship | 4 |
| Elective and Gen Ed | 12 |