CRIMINAL JUSTICE (B.S., A.S.)
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The B.S. program in criminal justice consists of a foundation in communication, humanities, social sciences, cultural diversity, and natural sciences, along with specialized studies to prepare students for a professional career in the criminal justice or social service systems.

Students in the B.S. program choose from concentrations in corrections management, homeland security, or police science. Graduates may be prepared to enter law school or a graduate program. Career choices include law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, parole, victim services, juvenile justice, case management, homeland security, and industrial and private security.

Graduates of the two-year associate program are essentially qualified for a bachelor’s degree program or an entry-level position.

The associate degree is available in both classroom-based and online formats. In the bachelor’s degree program, the corrections management and homeland security concentrations are available online or in the classroom, and the police science concentration is available only in a classroom setting. For information on a related program, see the Criminal Justice Administration concentration of the Organizational Leadership degree program in the School of Leadership and Professional Development section.

B.S. Program Requirements
Depending on the concentration, the B.S. program requires 129 to 130 semester hours divided among four components:

• 36 hours of general education requirements
• 39 hours of criminal justice core requirements
• 39 to 40 hours of concentration requirements
• 15 hours of career component electives in which you can explore courses in criminal justice, forensic science, social work, and other areas relevant to your career or personal interests

To graduate, you must have a grade of C or better in each CRJS course and maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

General Education Requirements
The University’s general education requirements must be fulfilled with the following courses, which total 36 hours:

Criminal Justice Core
The following courses make up the 39-hour criminal justice core that is required for all concentrations:

Career Component Electives
Career component electives can be fulfilled with approved courses in criminal justice, forensics, or social work, or other areas. Students are encouraged to complete an internship (CRJS 290) during the second year. CRJS 490 Criminal Justice Practicum can be extended for up to 12 hours of credit.

Corrections Management Concentration
The corrections management concentration focuses on issues relevant to the management and functioning of correctional institutions. The curriculum focuses on administrative, legal, and functional aspects of jails, prisons, and community corrections programs. Graduates are prepared for managerial and administrative positions in public and private criminal justice agencies with correctional responsibilities.

Homeland Security Concentration
The homeland security concentration focuses on terrorism and homeland security issues relevant to the criminal justice system. Topics include investigating domestic and international terrorist events and groups, laws and regulations pertinent to homeland security issues, and techniques and policies for countering terrorist activities. Graduates are prepared to enter criminal justice professions in the public and private sectors or to engage in public responsibilities as investigators or first response supervisors.

Police Science Concentration
The police science concentration focuses on both scientific and administrative preparation in issues related to policing. With coursework in investigative and patrol techniques, management and administration, terrorism, and forensic science, the police science concentration prepares graduates for managerial and administrative positions as well as positions in private criminal justice agencies with law enforcement responsibilities.

A.S. Program Requirements
The Associate of Science degree in criminal justice explores the three components of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. The program prepares students to enter criminal justice agencies or to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Program requirements comprise 24 semester hours of general education requirements, 9 hours of supporting requirements, 21 hours of criminal justice requirements, and 15 hours of career component electives, for a total of 69 hours. To graduate, you must have a grade of C or better in each CRJS course and maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

General Education Requirements
The University’s general education requirements must be fulfilled with the following courses, which total 24 hours:

Supporting Requirements
Supporting requirements total 9 hours and include electives and one required course:

Recommended general electives include courses in business law, legal studies, paralegal studies, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Criminal Justice Requirements
The following courses make up the 21-hour criminal justice requirement:

Career Component Electives
Career component electives totaling 15 hours can be fulfilled with approved courses in criminal justice, forensics, or social work, or other areas. Students are encouraged to complete an internship (CRJS 290) during the second year.