Department Head: Dr. H. Dean Buttram, III
110 Ramona Wood Hall
Students who are not majoring in Criminal Justice or Forensic Investigation may minor in Criminal Justice or Forensic Investigation. A minor in Criminal Justice or Forensic investigation requires a minimum of 21 credit hours.
Criminal Justice
The Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation merges liberal arts and professional studies into a well-balanced curriculum. A Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice is a solid foundation for law school or graduate study, in addition to being a superb preparation for employment in the rapidly growing field of criminal justice. The core courses provide a basic understanding of the nature of crime and society’s reaction to crime, as well as an in-depth investigation of the various components of the criminal justice system. Studies in the advanced CJ electives (300+ level courses) provide students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that enhance future employment and serve as a basis for advanced studies.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice is a 120-hour program and requires the following, which meets the general academic regulations:
- 41 hours of general studies courses
- 9 hours of support courses
- 27 hours of criminal justice core courses
- 18 hours in criminal justice advanced electives (300+)
- 25 hours of minor and general elective courses
NOTE: Criminal Justice majors must obtain a minor outside the department.
Forensic Investigation
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Investigation (FI) consists of two separate tracks that address career interests. A degree in Forensic Investigation can lead to a fulfilling career that offers a lifetime of opportunities locally, nationally, and globally. Students interested in pursuing a major in FI must initially declare their major as Forensic Investigation Undecided. They will be advised to complete the lower division Forensic Investigation core that consists of seven classes (21 semester hours). Upon completion of these lower-division courses, the coursework will be assessed by their advisor to determine whether they have met the minimum of a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 in CJ and FI coursework required to proceed to upper-division coursework in one of the two Forensic Investigation tracks. The minimum 2.5 overall GPA is also required to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation in either track.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Investigation, Criminal Investigations (Track I) is a 120-hour program that requires the following:
- 41 hours of general studies courses
- 6 hours of support courses
- 21 hours of Forensic Investigation Lower Division Core courses
- 24 hours in the Criminal Investigations track
- 18 hours of Advance Forensic Investigation minor or Digital Forensic Investigation minor
- 10 hours of general electives
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Investigation, Forensic Laboratory/Technician (Track II) is a 120-hour program that requires the following:
- 41 hours of general studies courses
- 6 hours of support courses
- 21 hours of Forensic Investigation Lower Division Core courses
- 18 hours in the Forensic Laboratory/Technician track
- 28 hours of Forensic Biochemistry minor (This is inclusive of the 8-hour chemistry sequence.)
- 14 hours of general electives
NOTE: Forensic Investigation - Criminal Investigation (Track I) majors must obtain a minor in Advanced Forensic Investigation or Digital Forensic Investigation. Forensic Investigation - Forensic Laboratory/Technician (Track II) majors must minor in Forensic Biochemistry or choose a second major in Biology or Chemistry.
Criminal Justice
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101 and EH 102 or EH 104 or EH 106/116.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 207.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 200.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 200.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 320.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 320.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 202.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 202 and permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in CJ. An opportunity for the advanced student to explore an area of special interest.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in Criminal Justice or department head approval.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in Criminal Justice or department head approval.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 320 and junior status.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 202.
Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing with 18 hours of CJ. Study of controversial area of law that deals with consensual crimes.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 320.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, permission of the instructor or consent of Internship Director, and only for students majoring in Criminal Justice.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, consent of Internship Director, and only for students majoring in Criminal Justice.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in CJ. Seminar series dealing with current topics and issues in the field.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Criminal Justice major and completion of all other criminal justice core requirements.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Criminal Justice major and completion of all other criminal justice core requirements.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Criminal Justice major and completion of all other criminal justice core requirements.
Forensic Investigation
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): CJ 101.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204 and EH 102 or EH 104 or EH 106 with EH 116.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204 and CS 307.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204 and CS 201.
Prerequisite(s): FI 310.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in CJ or FI. An opportunity for the advanced student to explore an area of special interest.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in Criminal Justice or Forensic Investigations or department head approval.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in Criminal Justice or Forensic Investigations or department head approval.
Prerequisite(s): FI 330 or FI 340.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 304.
Prerequisite(s): FI 204.
Prerequisite(s): FI 330, FI 340, or FI 350.
Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing with 18 hours of CJ or FI. Study of controversial area of law that deals with consensual crimes.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320.
Prerequisite(s): FI 320, FI 330, or FI 340.
Prerequisite(s): FI 330 and one of the following
Prerequisite(s): FI 350.
Prerequisite(s): FI 350.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, consent of Internship Director, and only for students majoring in Forensic Investigation.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, consent of Internship Director, and only for students majoring in Forensic Investigation.
Prerequisite(s): FI 310 and eight (8) hours of a natural science sequence.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing with 18 hours in FI. Seminars and tutorials dealing with current topics and issues in the field.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Forensic Investigation major and completion of all Forensic Investigation Undecided core requirements.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Forensic Investigation major and completion of all Forensic Investigation Undecided core requirements.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in the Forensic Investigation major and completion of all Forensic Investigation Undecided core requirements.