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
JUS 111, 293, 301, 318, 310, 499
MAT 213
Core components (min 3 hours in each)
Law Enforcement: JUS 205, 315, or 405
Courts: JUS 206, 325, or 410
Corrections: JUS 294, 304
Electives (min 6 hours): JUS 300, 302, 303, 312, 403, 415, 417, 421, 429, 430, 491

Minor Requirements
JUS 111, 293, 301; JUS 205, 315 or 405; JUS 294 or 304.

* The four-year degree plan provided is just a guide and not an actual expectation of courses that students have to take during specific semesters. Each student may have a unique graduation plan based on transfer credit, courses offerings, course load taken, summer course options, intended career/graduate school plans, etc. An advisor will work one-on-one with students to customize a four-year degree plan during a student’s first semester if requested by the student.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice