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 (assess and critically reflect upon) the evolution (past and contemporary changes and reforms) of community justice practices (policing, problem-solving, advocacy, human services, outreach, prevention, etc.) from domestic (U.S.-based) and global (other nations, global community) perspectives.
Criminal Justice
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| CJS1002 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJS1090 | Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CJS2040 | Corrections | 3 |
| CJS2050 | Criminology | 3 |
| CJS3075 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJS3850 | Homeland Security | 3 |
| CJS4045 | Criminalistics with Lab | 3 |
| CJS4080 | Criminal Justice Senior Seminar | 3 |
| LAW3015 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| LAW3025 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Major Electives or Specialization in Community Justice | ||
| Choose five of the following: * | 15 | |
| Criminal Courts | ||
| Juvenile Justice | ||
| Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
| Community Policing | ||
| Victimology | ||
| Comparative Criminal Justice | ||
| Cyber Crimes | ||
| Offender Assessment and Case Management | ||
| Terrorism | ||
| Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice | ||
| Advanced Topics in Criminalistics with Lab | ||
| International Relations and World Politics | ||
| Comparative Study of World Religions | ||
| Or | ||
| Specialization in Community Justice | ||
| Community Justice | ||
| Race, Crime and Justice | ||
| Change and Innovation in Law Enforcement | ||
| Choose two of the following: | ||
| Victimology | ||
| Offender Assessment and Case Management | ||
| Restorative Justice | ||
| Cultural Awareness and Diversity in Criminal Justice | ||
| Race, Politics and Power in America | ||
| Community Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Conflict Resolution | ||
| Social Issues in Contemporary America | ||
| Cultural Tapestry: Perspectives in Diversity | ||
| Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 12 credits from the following: ** | 12 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| FYS1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| PSYC1001 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC2002 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| RSCH2050 | Workshop in Acquiring Social Research Skills | 3 |
| SOC3060 | Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| American Government | ||
One course from ART, HUM, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Science | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Life Science | ||
| Introduction to Exercise Physiology | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Sociology I | ||
or SOC2005 | Honors Seminar: Social Inequalities | |
One course from ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC or RES | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 9 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 122.0 | |
| * | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
| ** | 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).
# 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 Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level 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 course(s).
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000 level courses
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?