Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice must satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements, 11 required criminal justice courses, 3 additional criminal justice electives, 8 required courses from other departments, and a sufficient number of electives to total at least 120 credit hours. Students are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major.
Degree Requirements
CJS 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJS 106 Applied Concepts in Justice Studies
CJS 150 Policing in America
CJS 201 Substantive Criminal Law
CJS 204 Constitutional Law
CJS 308 Criminology
CJS 320 Criminal and Civil Procedure in the US Courts
CJS 330 Corrections in the United States
CJS 354 Research Methods for Criminal Justice
CJS 403 Juvenile Justice
CJS 420 Justice Studies Capstone
Elective Requirements
Any three additional Criminal Justice courses
Requirements in Other Departments
NATSC 226 Forensic Science
COMM 210 Introduction to Speech Communication
2 of the following:
POLSC 100 American Government and Politics
PSYCH 100 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
2 courses from one of the following areas:
Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology
2 additional courses from the College of Arts and Sciences
The criminal justice minor is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the criminal justice system and to allow students to develop an appreciation of criminal justice as a social science. This minor is not available to students enrolled as legal studies or criminal justice majors.
Degree Requirements
CJS 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJS 308 Criminology
CJS 320 Criminal and Civil Procedure in the US Courts
Any three additional criminal justice courses
The Master of Science degree program in Criminal Justice prepares graduates to formulate justice system policy and serve effectively as administrators to United States justice system agencies. The masters program permits students to explore the fields of Criminology, examining the nature and causes of crime, and Justice System Management, which focuses on modern administrative theory, legal issues in personnel administration, and the management of criminal justice agencies. Students must complete a series of core courses which provide a solid foundation in modern justice system theory and practice. By the time students have completed the core requirements, they must choose one of two tracks: Thesis or Non-Thesis. This choice will impact the number of electives they take and whether they enroll to take the Comprehensive Examination or Thesis hours. Students may enroll either on a full-time or part-time basis in these degree programs.
Degree Requirements
Students must initially complete a prescribed series of courses, which provide a solid foundation in modern justice system theory and practice, satisfying 18 credit hours. Upon completion of the core courses, students must attain 18 additional credits through elective courses to fulfill the required 36 credit hours for the Master of Science degree. Students may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis in the master’s program, and may choose either the thesis or non-thesis option. Students seeking additional information should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Justice Studies.
Thesis Option Requirements
CJS 501 Criminal Justice System Overview
CJS 503 Survey of Research Methods
CJS 505 Legal Issues in the U.S. Justice System
CJS 509 Crime and Public Policy
CJS 511 Criminological Theory
CJS 513 Analysis of Criminal Justice Data
CJS 605 Thesis (Up to 6 credits)
Plus 4 or 5 CJS graduate elective courses
Non-Thesis Option Requirements
CJS 501 Criminal Justice System Overview
CJS 503 Survey of Research Methods
CJS 505 Legal Issues in the U.S. Justice System
CJS 509 Crime and Public Policy
CJS 511 Criminological Theory
CJS 513 Analysis of Criminal Justice Data
Plus 6 CJS graduate elective courses and a comprehensive exam
This program is designed for those employed or seeking employment in a direct service law enforcement profession and/or in a public or private criminal justice-related agency. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice must complete the School of Continuing Studies general education requirements (6 courses), as well as well as courses specified in the sections below. Additional free electives must be taken to total up to a minimum of 120 credits.
Degree Requirements
CJS 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJS 106 Applied Concepts in Justice Studies
CJS 150 Policing in America
CJS 200 Criminalistics
CJS 201 Substantive Criminal Law
CJS 204 Constitutional Law
CJS 254 Survey of Methods in Criminal Justice
CJS 308 Criminology
CJS 320 Criminal and Civil Procedure in U.S. Courts
CJS 330 Corrections in the United States
CJS 403 Juvenile Justice
CJS 420 Justice Studies Capstone
Elective Requirements
Any three (3) additional Criminal Justice courses
Requirements in Other Departments
COMM 210 Introduction to Speech Communication
Two (2) of the following:
POLSC 100 American Government and Politics
PSYCH 100 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
Two (2) courses from one of the following areas:
Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology
Three (3) additional courses from the College of Arts and Sciences