Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology
The curriculum in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to prepare students for occupations in a wide variety of industries. This includes policing, security, corrections, social services, and transportation security. The requirements are innovative and designed to meet policing needs in the 21st century. These include a Spanish language requirement, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) option, and a curriculum that encourages a second minor or major in diverse and impactful areas, including Cybersecurity and Emergency Management. The program affords a transition opportunity for students who have completed an AAS in Law Enforcement Certification or Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. It gives a strong base for graduate study in law, criminal justice, or criminology. Also, completion of the program provides a foundation for the Behavioral Sciences' Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology, which has an emphasis in criminal justice studies.
1) Basic Requirements
- SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I
- SOC 2053 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences/PSY 2053 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences or GEOG 2833 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- SOC 2063 Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences/PSY 2063 Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences or EAM 4033 Emergency Management Research Methods/Analysis or POLS 2513 Research Design
- CJ 2003 Introduction to Criminal Justice/SOC 2003 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 2033 Social Problems/SOC 2033 Social Problems
- CJ 2043 Crime and Delinquency/SOC 2043 Crime and Delinquency
- 12 Hours of 3000-4000 level Criminal Justice courses
(2) Policing: Choose 3 hours from:
- CJ 3153 Prison and Corrections/SOC 3153 Prison and Corrections
- CJ 3103 The Juvenile Justice System/SOC 3103 The Juvenile Justice System
- CJ 4033 Policing and Society
(3) Courts: Choose 3 hours from:
(4) Society: Choose 3 hours from:
- CJ 3083 Social Deviance/SOC 3083 Social Deviance
- SOC 4003 Minority Relations
- SOC 4023 Sociology of Gender
- SOC 4063 Social Stratification
(5) SOC 1003 Introductory Sociology, ANTH 2003 Cultural Anthropology or ANTH 1213 Introduction to Anthropology, and POLS 2003 American Government
(6) Complete a minor, an associate's degree or a second degree in one of the following: Sociology, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Political Science, Psychology, Pre-Law, Cybersecurity, or Law Enforcement
Curriculum
The matrix below is a sample plan for all coursework required for this program.
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 1013 Composition I 1 |
3 |
| SS 1XXX Social Science Courses 1 |
3 |
| POLS 2003 American Government | 3 |
| TECH 1001 Orientation to the University | 1 |
| Elective 2, 3 |
6 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 1023 Composition II 1 |
3 |
| SS 1XXX Social Science Courses 1 |
3 |
| SCIL 1XXX Science with Laboratory 1 |
4 |
| MATH XXXX Mathematics 1 |
3 |
| CJ 2003 Introduction to Criminal Justice/SOC 2003 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| FAH 1XXX Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1 |
6 |
| SCIL 1XXX Science with Laboratory 1 |
4 |
| SPAN 1013 Beginning Spanish I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOC 1003 Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| CJ 2033 Social Problems/SOC 2033 Social Problems | 3 |
| CJ Policing (3000- 4000 level) 4 |
3 |
| Elective 2, 3 |
6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANTH 1213 Introduction to Anthropology or ANTH 2003 Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| CJ 2043 Crime and Delinquency/SOC 2043 Crime and Delinquency | 3 |
| CJ Courts (3000-4000 level) 4 |
3 |
| Elective 2, 3 |
6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| CJ Society (3000-4 000 level) 4 |
3 |
| CJ Elective (3000- 4000 level) | 6 |
| Elective 2,3 | 6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| CJ Elective (3000- 4000 level) | 6 |
| Elective 2, 3 | 9 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
1See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".
2A minor or second degree must be completed.
3At least 40 of the total hours required for graduation must be 3000 - 4000 level courses.
4See appropriate options in "Policing", "Courts", & "Society" areas:
Policing: Choose 3 hours (UD) from:
CJ 3153 Prison and Corrections/SOC 3153 Prison and Corrections
CJ 3103 The Juvenile Justice System/SOC 3103 The Juvenile Justice System
CJ 4033 Policing and Society/SOC 4033 Policing and Society
Courts: Choose 3 hours (UD) from:
CJ 3023 Judicial Process/POLS 3023 Judicial Process
CJ 4023 Law and the Legal System
Society: Choose 3 hours (UD) from:
CJ 3083 Social Deviance/SOC 3083 Social Deviance
SOC 4003 Minority Relations
SOC 4023 Sociology of Gender
SOC 4063 Social Stratification