Criminal Justice (B.S.)

The primary purpose of the B.S. Program in Criminal Justice is to provide a rigorous course of study that will prepare students to work successfully with agencies (police, courts, and corrections) that administer law, achieve justice, reduce crime, and enhance domestic security. It is also designed to prepare students for graduate level studies in such areas as criminal justice and law. The program takes advantage of the proximity of MGA to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in our service area.

Students may declare the B.S. in Criminal Justice as their major during the admissions process to the University or at any time during their college career. Students who are thinking of changing their major are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor in the Department. Freshman and sophomore students should follow the curriculum outline for the degree presented below. Transfer students are welcomed to the Criminal Justice Program. General education and supporting courses will be evaluated for credit during the admission process. Students transferring academic credits in the program must meet all university residence and transfer-of-credits requirements. A transfer grade intended to satisfy any Criminal Justice core requirement or major elective course must be at least a "C."

The B.S. program in Criminal Justice allows for considerable free elective choices, including in CRJU courses.

  1. Please note that CRJU 1100 (Introduction to Criminal Justice), CRJU 2316 (Introduction to Criminology), CRJU 2317 (Introduction to Criminal Law) and CRJU 2318 (Introduction to Corrections) all must be completed with grades of "C" or higher. 
  2. In addition to the academic regulations of the University, all Criminal Justice core and major electives must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 to remain in good standing.

Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Core Curriculum (Credit: 42 hours)

See listing of requirements

Area F: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)

Required Courses (Credit: 12 hours)

CRJU 1100Introduction to Criminal Justice

3 credits

CRJU 2316Introduction to Criminology

3 credits

CRJU 2317Introduction to Criminal Law

3 credits

CRJU 2318Introduction to Corrections

3 credits

Electives (6 hours)

Choose any two (2) 1000- and/or 2000- level courses.

Upper Level Core (Credit: 39 hours)

Required Courses (Credit: 24 hours)

CRJU 3020Research Methods Criminal Justice

3 credits

CRJU 3100Ethics in Criminal Justice

3 credits

CRJU 3110Theories of Criminal Behavior

3 credits

CRJU 3200Criminal Procedure & Evidence

3 credits

CRJU 3311Police Systems, Practices, and Administration

3 credits

CRJU 3315The American Judicial System

3 credits

CRJU 3320Juvenile Justice System and Delinquency

3 credits

CRJU 4147Criminal Justice Report Writing

3 credits

Capstone Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Students must select one of these two capstone courses.

CRJU 4930Criminal Justice Internship/Capstone

3 credits

OR

CRJU 4999Criminal Justice Independent Study/Capstone

3 credits

Criminal Justice Electives (Credit: 12 hours)

Choose four courses from the following:

CRJU 3210Organized Crime

3 credits

CRJU 3247Hip Hop Culture & Crime in America

3 credits

CRJU 3515Comparative Criminal Justice Systems

3 credits

CRJU 3520Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

3 credits

CRJU 4007Crime, the Media, and Justice in America

3 credits

CRJU 4130Gender, Ethnicity, and Justice

3 credits

CRJU 4220/SOCW 4220Family Violence and Abuse

3 credits

CRJU 4310White Collar and Cyber Crime

3 credits

CRJU 4350Corrections and Community-Based Policing

3 credits

CRJU 4351Police Community Relations

3 credits

CRJU 4410Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

3 credits

CRJU 4440Administration of Criminal Justice

3 credits

CRJU 4500Ecology of Crime

3 credits

CRJU 4507Homeland Security

3 credits

CRJU 4550Terrorism

3 credits

General/Free Electives (Credit: 21 hours)

Choose any seven (7) lower- or upper-level courses.

Total Hours: 120