BA in Criminal Justice

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Criminal Justice prepares law enforcement officials and adult learners for career change, advancement, or graduate education.

Students in the BA in Criminal Justice program focus on the interdisciplinary study of crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system, and develop critical analytical skills, and knowledge of the research findings and methods used in the field. In addition, students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge in criminal justice.

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level, 300 level or above, within the area of study.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an Advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-101English Composition I

3

ENC-102English Composition II

3

COM-209Public Speaking

3

MAT-105Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-110Critical Information Literacy

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-101Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-230Ethics in the Digital Age

3

POS-110American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-210Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-113American History I

3

FIL-110American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below
SOC-291Criminology

3

HIS-114American History II

3

HIS-121Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-103Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-130Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-101General Earth Science

3

BIO-208The Science of Nutrition

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (24 Credits)

AOJ-102Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

SOC-291Criminology

3

AOJ-101Introduction to Law Enforcement

3

AOJ-358Courts and Criminal Procedures

3

AOJ-111Introduction to Corrections

3

AOJ-363American Juvenile Justice System

3

SOS-492Research Methods in Social Sciences

3

PHI-383Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice

3

B. Criminal Justice Electives nine credits select three of the following

SOC-242Juvenile Delinquency

3

SOC-384Gangs

3

AOJ-303White-Collar Crime

3

AOJ-280Forensic Science

3

SOS-440Terrorism

3

HLS-355Critical Thinking for Homeland Security

3

HLS-410Counterterrorism: Constitutional and Legislative Issues

3

HLS-420Homeland Security: Preparedness, Prevention, and Deterrence

3

HLS-429Protecting the Homeland: Response and Recovery

3

C. Sociology Electives (9 Credits)

-
Sociology Electives

9

Complete 9 credits in the Sociology area.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-495Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Criminal Justice program will be able to:

  • consistent with the criteria established by the Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences ACJS, apply concepts in areas of: administration of justice, corrections, criminological theory, law adjudication, and law enforcement;
  • communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a clear and professional manner;
  • critically analyze and evaluate social science and criminal justice research, theories, and policies; and
  • employ ethical perspectives and judgment and apply principles of diversity in criminal justice practice.