Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science
This is a multi-disciplinary degree program that combines aspects of public and business administration with the narrative and practice of justice. Our approach purposely gives students credible education with an eye toward applications into either traditional public sector careers such as law enforcement, criminal investigations, inspector general, or juvenile justice; or, towards the private sector, for careers involving corporate investigations and risk mitigation-including cyber forensic investigations.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will prepare students to:
- Analyze ethical issues of leadership, administration, investigation, and prosecution.
- Analyze theories and policies associated with criminal/unwanted behavior and/or approaches to reducing unwanted behaviors in both public and private sector settings.
- Evaluate contemporary issues in justice administration through evidence-based methods.
- Evaluate contemporary issues of domestic, international, and/or translational crime or justice and the administration thereof.
- Examine the administration, leadership, and management of effective organizations using a systems approach.
- Participate productively in the field.
Total Required Credits (180 Credits)
Required Courses
| College Composition | 5 |
| College Mathematics*** | 5 |
| Humanities* | 15 |
| Social Sciences* | 15 |
| Natural Science/Math* | 15 |
| Lower – Division Electives | 15 |
| SSC 202 | Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems | 5 |
| SSC 204 | Criminal Procedural Law | 5 |
| HUM 210 | Justice and Ethics | 5 |
| CJ 211 | Criminal Investigation | 5 |
*A minimum of two different academic disciplines within each of the areas is required to meet the distributions of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences/Math.
***This program requires MATH 107 (Mathematical Reasoning and its Applications) or higher.
Criminal Justice Core (45 Credits)
| PSY 240 | Critical Thinking and Writing Skills in Social Sciences | 5 |
| (or) | |
| SSC 220 | Principles Of Microeconomics | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 240 | Research Methods and Practice | 5 |
| | |
| CJ 403 | Enterprise Risk Management | 5 |
| CJ 318 | Fundamentals of Criminology | 5 |
| CJ 330 | Management and Leadership | 5 |
| CJ 333 | Planning and Policy Analysis | 5 |
| CJ 335 | Organizational Analysis | 5 |
| CJ 350 | Globalization and Crime | 5 |
| CJ 360 | Cybercrime, Technology, and Social Change | 5 |
| CJ 365 | Applied Criminology and Crime Prevention | 5 |
Emphasis Area (25-50 Credits)
Choose one of the emphasis areas listed below:
Corporate Security and Investigation Emphasis (35 Credits)
This emphasis augments the core criminal justice curriculum for students who want to obtain a nuanced understanding of applying the skills of the traditional ‘detective’ so he or she can prepare for a career in risk management, internal affairs, auditing, compliance, or corporate investigations. The coursework bridges the gap between business and the particular kinds of risk assessments and investigations critical to these professions. Students within this emphasis will develop skills such as conducting a risk analysis study and risk management plan to specialized classes in corporate investigation, white collar crime, and corporate and state-based espionage.
| CJ 363 | Investigation of Business Crimes | 5 |
| CJ 410 | Risk Assessment and Prevention | 5 |
| CJ 422 | Organizational and White-Collar Crime | 5 |
| CJ 424 | Homeland Security and Espionage | 5 |
| BSC 401 | Interpretation of Financial Statements | 5 |
| COM 461 | Communicating Crisis, Emergency and Social Change | 5 |
| | |
| BSC 402 | Financing Organizations | 5 |
| (or) | |
| BSC 403 | Legal Issues In The Workplace | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 361 | Cyber and Surveillance Law and Government | 5 |
Cyber Forensic Investigation Emphasis (45 Credits)
The emphasis in Cyber Forensic Investigations prepares students for a career as a cybercrime investigator in either the public or private sectors. Cybercrime investigations require a unique combination of legal, detective, and technology knowledge and skills. This unique emphasis combines core and advanced courses from the Criminal Justice and Information Security programs and covers a range of topics from cyber-espionage and warfare to hacktivism and digital privacy law. Students interested in this emphasis do not need to have a prior background in computer programming or technology, as the necessary skills will be taught in the classes.
| CJ 361 | Cyber and Surveillance Law and Government | 5 |
| CJ 362 | Investigation of Cyber Crime | 5 |
| CJ 410 | Risk Assessment and Prevention | 5 |
| IS 330 | Information Systems | 5 |
| IS 350 | Systems Analysis and Design | 5 |
| IS 464 | Policy and Audits | 5 |
| IS 468 | Tools and Techniques | 5 |
| IS 472 | IT Compliance | 5 |
| IS 345 | Information Security | 5 |
Justice Administration Emphasis (25 Credits)
This emphasis offers students advanced coursework informed by industry professionals in topics related to effective leadership and management within criminal justice and public sector agencies. The coursework combines leading edge curriculum in criminal justice with aspects of business and public administration and is oriented towards students who want to enter into or further their career in the public sector.
| CJ 341 | Contemporary Justice Administration Issues | 5 |
| CJ 410 | Risk Assessment and Prevention | 5 |
| BSC 401 | Interpretation of Financial Statements | 5 |
| COM 461 | Communicating Crisis, Emergency and Social Change | 5 |
| | |
| HUM 215 | History of Punishment and Prisons | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 340 | Introduction to Forensic Criminalistics | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 422 | Organizational and White-Collar Crime | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 424 | Homeland Security and Espionage | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CJ 351 | Global Criminal Justice | 5 |
Required for all Emphasis areas.
Capstone (5 Credits)