Criminal Justice Curriculum

The criminal justice major provides the opportunity to systematically examine criminal justice systems and the administration of justice, as well as the causes and patterns of crime and criminal behavior and the ways in which criminal justice institutions have responded in trying to solve these social problems. Criminal justice courses emphasize practical problem solving and theoretical skills, which are useful to careers in criminal justice, legal studies and community and social service.

Core courses in the major are designed to expose students to the range and variation of crime and criminal behavior, the criminal justice systems and the administration of justice that attempt to control and mitigate social problems. Students will review: the major systems of social control, policies and practice; consider the social and personal consequences of crime and criminal behavior on victims; look at the issues of juvenile justice; corrections, including the history and practice of corrections and the range of institutions meant to treat offenders; understand the nature and causes of crime, crime typologies, offenders and victims; examine criminal law and procedure, understanding how the courts work and how legal decisions are made; examine the history, theory and practice of police organizations, including internal views that consider police subculture; issues of ethics in law enforcement and criminal justice; study deviance and social control; and be grounded in methods, both quantitative and qualitative, for conducting and analyzing criminal justice research and theory.

Elective courses in the major are designed to provide a detailed focus on some area of criminal justice and consider the broader theoretical issues of significant social problems, such as violence. Related requirements are courses found outside of the major in other liberal arts disciplines that have strong relevance for criminal justice.

For the criminal justice course offerings, CJ 1000 provides a comprehensive descriptive overview at the introductory level, 2000- level courses provide an in-depth specialized study of a particular case, area, or social phenomenon and introduce theoretical perspectives, and 3000-level courses analyze case materials applying theory critically in specific cases and consider the consequences of various theories on social policy and strategies for social change.

CJ 1000 is required as a prerequisite for any 2000-level criminal justice course and any 2000-level criminal justice course is a prerequisite for any 3000-level criminal justice course. Any student who has grounds to request a waiver of this requirement may do so by contacting the criminal justice area coordinator for a decision. This request must be made prior to enrolling in the upper-level criminal justice course.

Grade Requirements for Criminal Justice Majors
Students who major in Criminal Justice must achieve a grade of C- or above in all core courses in the major. If a student receives a lower grade than a C-, that student will need to repeat the course.