Criminal Justice, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Mission

The Criminal Justice program is guided by the University’s mission to unite with the community through scholarship, teaching, civic engagement and service with a firm commitment to improve the human condition. Consistent with this mission, the Criminal Justice program provides students with a thorough understanding of how the criminal justice system works and its impact on American citizens. Students gain an understanding of the role of the police, courts and corrections in our criminal justice system while understanding that their moral obligation is to assist in improving the human condition. In addition to learning the intricacies of the criminal justice system, the curriculum prepares students to enter and successfully complete graduate and professional school programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of the major criminological theories and their implications for social policy.
Articulate the structure and function of the criminal justice system.
Analyze statistical data on crime and incarceration rates in the U.S.
Demonstrate effective communication skills.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.

General Education Core - 41 credit hours
Major Requirements - 30 credit hours
Additional Coursework - 51 credit hours

Major Requirements

CJ 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr.
CJ 206 - Policing in Society 3 cr.
CJ 310 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr.
CJ 311 - The Sociology of Corrections 3 cr.
CJ 320 - Criminal Law and Procedure 3 cr.
CJ 403 - Criminological Theory 3
CJ 405 - Criminology 3 cr.
CJ 431 - Field Experience 3 cr.
CJ 450 - Senior Seminar 3 cr.
Criminal Justice Elective 3 cr.

Additional Coursework

Includes minor in another discipline

CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
MAT 204 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. or
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
SOC 102 - Social Problems 3 cr.
Sociology Elective 3 cr.
Sociology Elective 3 cr.
SOC 308 - Social Research 3 cr.
SOW 470 - Chemical Dependency 3 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
Minor or General Electives: 18 cr.
Social Science Elective: 3 cr.

Criminal Justice Curriculum

First Year

First Semester

ENG 111 - Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦
MAT 121 - College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. ♦
UCO 101 - University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Physical Education Activity Elective I ♦

Total: 15

Second Semester

African Diaspora 3 cr.
CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
ENG 112 - Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
FYS 102 - First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
Natural Science Elective (Lecture / Lab) 4 cr.
SOC 102 - Social Problems 3 cr.
UCO 102 - University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦

Total: 17

Second Year

First Semester

CJ 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr.
ENG 201 - Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
ENG 202 - Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
FFR 121 - Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 121 - Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
MAT 204 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. ♦ or
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr. ♦
POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.

Total: 15

Second Semester

CJ 206 - Policing in Society 3 cr.
ECO 203 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
FFR 122 - Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 122 - Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
HIS 202 - U. S. History 1865 to Present 3 cr.
SPT 204 - Public Speaking 3 cr. ♦

Total: 15

Third Year

First Semester

CJ 310 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr.
CJ 311 - The Sociology of Corrections 3 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
Criminal Justice Elective, Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
PSY 213 - Psychology of Personality 3 cr. Minor or General Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Second Semester

CJ 320 - Criminal Law and Procedure 3 cr.
SOC 308 - Social Research 3 cr.
Criminal Justice Elective 3 cr.
Sociology Elective 3 cr.
Social Science Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Fourth Year

First Semester

CJ 403 - Criminological Theory 3
CJ 405 - Criminology 3 cr.
CJ 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Sociology Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Second Semester

CJ 431 - Field Experience 3 cr.
CJ 450 - Senior Seminar 3 cr.
CJ 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)
SOW 470 - Chemical Dependency 3 cr.
URB 335 , Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Minor or General Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Total Required Hours: 122

*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102 .

**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.

***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination . Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 - Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).

Note

♦ General Education Core