Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Program Overview

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

Students in the B.A. degree 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.

The degree structure enables students to choose several credentials that may “stack” into the bachelor’s degree, without requiring students to take additional courses.  Students can earn Undergraduate Certificates in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Diversity or Organizational Leadership by completing the required certificate courses in their Concentration and/or Electives area of their degree.  Please contact an Advisor for further information. 

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level, 3000 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 academic advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-1010Writing for Success

3

ENC-1020Writing for Success II

3

COM-2090Public Speaking

3

MAT-1050Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-1100Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today

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-1010Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-2200Leading the Way: A Path Towards Ethical Leadership

3

POS-1100American 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-2100Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-1130American History I

3

FIL-1100Exploring American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below:
SOC-3220Cultural Diversity in the United States

3

HIS-1140American History II

3

HIS-1210Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-1030Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-1300Introduction 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-1010General Earth Science

3

BIO-2080The 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 (42 Credits)

A. Required Courses (27 Credits)

CRJ-1020Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

SOC-2910Criminology

3

CRJ-1010Introduction to Law Enforcement

3

CRJ-3580Courts and Criminal Procedures

3

CRJ-1110Introduction to Corrections

3

CRJ-2800Forensic Science

3

SOS-4920Research Methods in Social Sciences

3

CRJ-3830Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice

3

-
Diversity and Criminal Justice or other CJ Course Not Taken

3

B. Criminal Justice Electives 12 credits select four of the following:

CRJ-3030White-Collar Crime

3

CRJ-3100Criminal Law

3

CRJ-3810Victimology and Criminal Behavior

3

CRJ-4840Public Policy, Crime, and Criminal Justice

3

PSY-3470Forensic Psychology

3

C. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-4950Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (33 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, 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.