Criminal Justice, B.S.

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This program features two predominant divisions with nine separate areas. The lower division provides the student with a sound liberal arts experience. This division includes courses in the humanities, mathematics and the natural sciences, the social sciences and selected elective courses that are particularly appropriate to the field of criminal justice. Courses taken in the lower division are at the freshman and sophomore levels. The upper division provides the student with a depth and breadth of knowledge related to criminal justice. Courses in the upper division are usually at the junior and senior levels.

The curriculum includes:

• 42 hours of undergraduate core curriculum courses (Areas A – E)
• 18 hours of criminal justice core courses (Area F)
• 12 hours of foundations of analysis courses (Area G)
• Legal issues courses (Area H)
  • Crime an Justice Concentration: 3 hours
  • Legal Studies Concentration: 15 hours
• Criminal justice issues courses (Area I)
  • Crime an Justice Concentration: 15 hours
  • Legal Studies Concentration: 3 hours
• Capstone and internship courses (Area J)
  • Crime an Justice Concentration: 6-9 hours
  • Legal Studies Concentration: 6-9 hours
• 21 or 24 hours of electives
• Total of 120 credit hours

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology emphasizes issues of crime and justice occurring in urban environments from a multicultural, interdisciplinary perspective to inform science, policy and practice.  The department produces students who are critical and ethical thinkers, knowledgeable about the issues of crime and justice, and prepared for leadership positions in public and private criminal justice.