Upon completion of this program a student is able to:
- Articulate key concepts and approaches in criminal justice studies.
- Identify key criminal justice actors, processes, and institutions at the local, state, and federal levels within the United States.
- Describe the historical framework upon which current American criminal justice practices are built.
- Explain the nature and causes of crime.
- Evaluate and analyze contemporary criminal justice issues and their implications for society.
- Critically think about complex issues and communicate them effectively in both oral and written form.
Major Requirements
(Any course listed in the following sections may be satisfied by taking its cross-listed equivalent. Cross-listed courses count toward the major in the same manner as the courses listed.)
Core Courses
Take all 6 courses in this section.
Electives
Complete 24 credits from the following courses. Any course, even if not listed below, that carries the Course Code of CRIM and is a 200 level or higher course, will count as an elective for the major.
Institutes
In addition to completing the foregoing courses, students majoring in Criminal Justice Studies are required to attend at least two institutes. An institute is typically a half-day session or workshop, offered at least once per year, usually once each semester. Institutes deal with specific issues facing professionals in the criminal justice system.
All courses used to complete the major must be passed with a "C" or better.
Notes
Students may find that knowledge of Spanish is useful in the criminal justice field
Some courses have prerequisites.