The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares the student for a job in either a law enforcement or correctional field. It provides insights into the study of the role and functions of police and correctional organizations as agents of social control in a democratic society. This includes an understanding of the history, organizational structure, policies, planning, and coordination among various criminal justice organizations. The importance of establishing and maintaining positive, supportive relations with the public is an area of special interest.
Criminal Justice Core Curriculum
27 hours required courses plus 18 hours CJ advanced electives needed for the Criminal Justice major.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 200 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CJ 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CJ 302 | Research Methods (WI) | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) | 3 |
| CJ 320 | Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Internship in Criminal Justice | ||
| Senior Seminar I | ||
| Senior Seminar II | ||
| Senior Seminar III | ||
| CJ Advanced Electives (300+) | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Courses credited within the core will not be credited within the advanced electives or the minor.
In addition to courses noted below, candidates for graduation must successfully complete all JSU Academic Regulations. More information about general education requirements can be found in the Summary of Degrees/Requirements section of the catalog.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| History sequence | 3 | |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SSC 101 | First Year Experience | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| MS 110 | Finite Mathematics (or higher) 1 | 3 |
| History sequence | 3 | |
| CJ 200 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| EH 141 | Speech | 3 |
| CS 201 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| MS 204 | Basic Statistics | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| PSY 201 | Principles of Psychology | 3 |
| PSC 102 | Introduction to State and Local Government | 3 |
| CJ 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
| SY 221 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| CJ 302 | Research Methods (WI) | 3 |
| CJ 320 | Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| Adv. CJ 300+ Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Adv. CJ 300+ Electives | 6 | |
| Minor/General Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Adv. CJ 300+ Electives | 6 | |
| Minor/General Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Senior Capstone Course 2 | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Major Field Test | ||
| Adv. CJ 300+ Electives | 3 | |
| Minor/General Electives | 7 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Any Area III - Mathematics courses listed in the catalog excluding MS 204 Basic Statistics (3). |
| 2 | Select one of the following: CJ 472 Senior Internship in Criminal Justice (3), CJ 497 Senior Seminar I (3), CJ 498 Senior Seminar II (3), or CJ 499 Senior Seminar III (3). |