Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and its role in society. The program is used for placement in: law enforcement, corrections, the juvenile justice system and criminal justice investigation.

Within the bachelor of arts degree, the Department of Sociology and Justice Studies offers a program in Criminal Justice, blending career education and the liberal arts. Criminal Justice is an integrated major with required coursework in the core disciplines that provide the theoretical and methodological roots of contemporary criminological inquiry, as well as applied coursework in Criminal Justice. The program is designed to provide an academic foundation appropriate for an educated citizen, as well as particular specializations and certifications for career preparation.

The Department of Sociology and Justice Studies believes that a university must educate broadly to enrich both career and life. Accordingly, students in the Criminal Justice program will complete social science foundation courses, as well as core disciplinary courses. In order to assist them as they move into a variety of career paths, students must also complete coursework in an approved area of specialization or an interdisciplinary certificate.

All 300 and 400 level CRIM courses have a prerequisite of sophomore standing or above.

The major program has three specialty tracks: Law enforcement, pre-graduate criminology, and corrections. These enable a student to specialize in a more specific area of interest. Please view degree options for more information on our offerings.

The criminal justice major prepares students for a variety of fields. Specifically, students interested in law enforcement, criminology, and corrections will be well prepared by the three specialty tracks offered by our major.