Criminal Justice, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice provides a strong liberal arts and social science base integrating theory and practice through a melding of criminology and criminal justice disciplines. The program’s major advantage is its practical orientation with the availability of up to eighteen credits of field experience. The degree prepares students for many federal, state and local law enforcement positions as well as criminal justice social service occupations and admission to law school.

Mission & Outcomes

By developing in the following general proficiency areas, graduates will be able to professionally assess and implement effective individual conduct, policies, and programs that are necessary to facilitate social control, protection, and justice.

1. Effectively communicate with criminal justice professionals and other citizens
2. Recognize the relationship of criminal justice system components and processes with society and government
3. Apply appropriate constitutional, criminal and procedural law.
4. Effectively utilize scientific methods, evidence, findings and conclusions
5. Apply appropriate ethical principles, philosophies, theories and research
6. Recognize human biases and employ emotional intelligence
7. Recognize the impact of social stratification on criminal and social justice issues.
8. Project the impact of social change on criminal and social justice issues.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree: There are 13 required courses in the major with an additional 4 criminal justice open electives. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete the General Education Curriculum. Bachelor’s candidates must also complete three service learning courses (one of which must be from the major) and submit a senior portfolio after completing 108 credit hours. This degree can be easily combined with certificates in either Drug Policy and Intervention or Geographic Information Systems. Recommended minors include Sociology, Pre-Law, Psychology, Human Services, Recreation, and/or Environmental Science.