Criminal Justice - B.S.

The Criminal Justice bachelor's degree program prepares students for professional careers in the field of criminal justice. Through this course of study, students are expected to acquire the communication, logic, critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills essential for both the understanding of complex global and domestic criminal justice issues and for effective career performance and progression.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Apply the historical contexts and knowledge of the American criminal justice system to current issues within the field.
• Critically evaluate evidence using investigative theories and practices.
• Research and analyze criminal justice issues to generate appropriate recommendations and/or actions.
• Assess and resolve conflict situations using policies and procedures employed by criminal justice professionals.
• Apply ethical strategies to address criminal justice agency/operations within diverse communities and/or global contexts.

The program’s judicious mix of criminal justice and arts and sciences courses is intended to develop and enhance each student’s critical thinking and effective communication skills, as well as their appreciation for diversity, citizenship, leadership and public service. In keeping with the unique curriculum and varied career opportunities available to graduates of the Criminal Justice program, students are encouraged to take advantage of available internship, study abroad and elective course opportunities that target their specific interests and goals.

Students in Criminal Justice will have the opportunity to select a Community Justice specialization. The interdisciplinary nature of this curriculum provides students the opportunity to think differently about justice and criminal behavior that is reflective of industry trends toward crime prevention, community building and criminal justice. This specialization will allow students a means to foster their intellectual curiosity while enhancing and enriching their educational experience thereby stimulating professional success and lifelong personal and professional growth.

Graduates of the program are prepared for a wide variety of criminal justice employment at the local, national and federal levels including careers in court administration, private investigation, airport security and social services, or as a federal agent, police officer or border patrol agent, among many others.

Upon completion of the Community Justice specialization, graduates are expected to be able to:

• Analyze the evolution of community justice practices  from domestic and global perspectives.

Criminal Justice

A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree

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Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites.

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In lieu of an internship, directed experiential education, research course, or study abroad, students may use the Applied/Experiential Learning credits towards a minor.

^D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS). 

^SaTo be eligible to count toward Applied/Experiential Learning, a Study Abroad offering must meet certain requirements. Contact JWU Global to discuss eligible Study Abroad options for this degree program.

#  In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For students who qualify for the J2 program, up to four graduate courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.

Note: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math courses.

Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses.

In collaboration with academic colleges Study Abroad offer several options, direct enroll with international universities, domestic and digital options meet with a Study Abroad Advisor to learn more about how your major, minor, free electives, experiential learning and transferable courses would benefit by a Study Abroad program. There are many options for students during a semester, spring and/or summer breaks. Faculty-led, exchange, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied, and some partners offer external scholarships. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go? Wherever you decide, make the best of your educational journey!

Undergraduate

Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university.

For first-year applicants, a completed application and high school transcript(s) are required. For transfer applicants, a completed application and high school and/or college transcript(s) are required. Completion of optional materials is encouraged.

Successful candidates for first year admission have taken a high school, college preparatory academic program including English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language. Admissions decisions may also consider individual experiences and particular circumstances unique to each student. Other considerations are made based upon recommendations, writing ability and extracurricular activities.

Visiting campus, both in‐person or virtually, and interacting with admissions staff are all valuable ways of assuring that JWU is the right university for you. 

J2 Program

The JWU J2 program allows qualified students enrolled in a matriculating undergraduate program to take graduate level courses at JWU. Students interested in pursuing this option should meet with their academic advisor to discuss their interest, qualifications and plans. The undergraduate student may take up to four graduate courses (maximum 12 credits) and are limited to 6 credits a semester and 3 credits per session (Fall Session I and Fall Session II). 

The completion of graduate credits to fulfill undergraduate program requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Matriculating undergraduate students who wish to formally enroll in a graduate program must fulfill all requirements for entrance into the intended graduate program and complete a graduate program application. 

Note: Not all graduate courses are included as part of this policy. Courses offered as part of the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and doctoral courses are excluded from this policy and are restricted to program majors only. Additional courses and/or programs as determined by individual colleges may also have restricted access.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to enroll in graduate level courses (excludes: Masters of Arts in Teaching, Masters of Education, Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, doctoral courses and other programs as outlined by the colleges).

Undergraduate students must meet the following criteria:

• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
• Completed and registered undergraduate credits at least 90 credits
• Meet the individual course prerequisites

Appeal to Eligibility Criteria: College dean or designee will receive a copy of the Petition Form, Student's GPS and email requesting appeal if the student requests to appeal the GPA or earned/registered credit criteria. College dean/designee will review and determine approval.  

These courses carry graduate credit and will replace undergraduate degree requirements when applicable, traditionally free-electives (maximum of 12 credits). The course will be applied to the undergraduate degree in the order in which they are taken (if required) and will also be applied towards both the students undergraduate and graduate GPA.

Students should maintain enrollment in at least 12 credits of undergraduate coursework to maintain full-time status; graduate course enrollment is not calculated into undergraduate full-time status. For students already attending full-time as undergraduates (12 credits or more) and paying the full-time tuition, the graduate credits will be included in full-time tuition fee. Students attending part-time (11 credits or less) will pay the cost per-credit undergraduate tuition for the graduate course.

Course registration will be based on space availability and students enrolled in graduate level courses will be required to maintain good academic standing at the undergraduate and graduate level.