Goals and Objectives of the BA in Criminology and Justice Studies

The Criminology and Justice Studies Programs seek through its multi-disciplinary curriculum to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge grounded in the humanities and social sciences. Further, recognizing that a humane and equitable provision of justice is the foundation of a democratic society, the Programs seek to sensitize students to the values and views of diverse segments of society. In pursuit of this goal, courses within the curriculum serve to further students' conceptual understanding of the values, ethics, and power relationships involved in the process of justice. The field is both academic and professional; it is both conceptual and applied.

At the undergraduate (B.A.) level, the goals of the Programs are to provide all Criminology and Justice Studies students with a broad understanding of the functions, roles, and critical issues within all of the components of criminal, juvenile, and civil justice. We seek to equip majors with the necessary knowledge, insight, and sensitivity to occupy positions in public and private criminal justice agencies and to encourage further professional development and graduate education.  The undergraduate Criminology and Justice Studies major culminates in a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Additional program information

One of the strengths of the major program is the option for students to complete an internship in the field.  Students receive academic credit in exchange for work in a justice-related agency.  More information is available from the Internships web site.

In addition to the major requirements below, all majors must complete the University's Liberal Education (LER) and College's General Requirements.  These are listed on the back of the major (program) sheet you receive when you declare your major in the College of Arts and Sciences office (105 Bowman Hall).  In addition, the College requires all students who major in one of its programs to participate in an outcomes assessment. Students are strongly encouraged to seek advising.

Current program requirements

45 Total Hours

Core Requirements (24 hours):

• 12000, Introduction to Criminology and Justice Studies
• 22300, Police Role
• 26701, Corrections
• 26704, Issues in Law & Society
• 32400, Research Methods in Criminology and Justice Studies*
  (*Writing Intensive Course)
  
• 36702, Criminology   (formerly 26702)
• 37311, Minorities in Crime and Justice**
  or
  37411, Women in Crime and Justice**
  (**Diversity Course)
• 47211, Court Functions
  

Major electives (21 hours).  At least 12 major elective credits must be JUS prefix courses:

• JUS ___________
• JUS ___________
• JUS ___________
• JUS ___________

The remaining (9) hours needed to complete the major can be selected from any JUS course (subject to the limits below) or from the list of courses provided below.

• PSYC 40111, Abnormal Psychology                                  
• PSYC  40383, Psychological Interventions                         
• POL  30130,  Courts                                                          
• POL 30301,  Intro. to Public Administration                   
• POL 40183, Constitutional Law: POL Civil Rights & Liberties                               
• PHIL 31035, Philosophy & Justice                                  
• SOC 32570  Inequality in Societies                                   
• SOC 32762  Deviant Behavior
  

Note: Fifteen (15) of the 21 required hours (beyond the core) must be upper division courses.  Pass-fail courses cannot be used to satisfy major requirements.  A total of 6 hours of Variable Title Workshop (45093), Individual Investigation (45096), or Internship (46792) can be used toward the fulfillment of the major elective hours.  JUS 36792, Paralegal Internship, cannot be used as a major elective.