Overview & Academics

Criminal Justice is a major that helps students identify and explain the patterns of criminal behavior and to analyze society’s ability to control crime and delinquency. Students majoring in Criminal Justice study crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system through an interdisciplinary approach that combines legal studies, sociology, political science, psychology, forensic science, public administration, urban studies, and philosophy. Criminal justice focuses on the definitions, causes, and prevention of crime, and with legal processes and the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

Career Options

• Careers in law including paralegal and attorney (with appropriate graduate and/or specialized training).
• Professions in the Correctional System including penal system management and probation services for adults and juveniles.
• Policing and law enforcement careers including sworn police officer and private security personnel.
• Private Security Design and Administration: Design unique security systems for public and private sites.

Major Requirements:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminology
• Research Methods
• Reporting for Criminal Justice Professionals
• Senior Seminar
• Elementary Statistics

Core components (min. 3 hours in each)

• Law Enforcement: Police in Society, Criminal Investigation or Evidence
• Courts: Judicial Process, Criminal Procedure or Constitutional Law
• Corrections: Correctional Institutions, Community Corrections

Required Electives:
(min 6 hours):

• Victimology
• Juvenile Justice
• Interviewing in Criminal Justice
• Cybercrime
• Addiction, Crime and the Criminal
• Selected Topics
• Administration of Justice
• Internship
• Terrorism
• Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
• Research Topics

Minor Requirements

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminology
• Police in Society
• Criminal Investigation or Evidence
• Correctional Institutions or Community Corrections