COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminal Justice program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with a deep understanding of crime, criminal behavior, and the justice system. To earn the degree, students must complete a minimum of 42 credits, with at least 24 of those credits being upper-division courses. The required courses lay a solid foundation in key areas such as the introduction to criminal justice, criminal and procedural law, criminology, research methods, and statistics, as well as a senior seminar that integrates learning and prepares students for professional challenges. An essential part of the program is the internship, which students are required to complete during their junior or senior year. This internship provides valuable real-world experience in a criminal justice agency or a related area, helping students apply their classroom knowledge in practical settings and gain insight into the day-to-day workings of the criminal justice system. The internship is graded on a pass/no credit basis and is designed to help students build professional connections and enhance their career prospects.In addition to the core courses and internship, students choose five upper-division criminal justice courses to further specialize in topics of interest. This allows students to customize their educational path and focus on areas such as law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, or criminal policy. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, drawing on sociology, psychology, political science, and other related fields to give students a well-rounded perspective on crime and justice. Throughout the coursework, students develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills, preparing them to become effective leaders who can address complex issues in the criminal justice system. The program also encourages participation in service learning, research projects, and field trips, providing opportunities to engage with local justice agencies and understand the societal impact of crime and law enforcement. This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience equips graduates with the skills needed to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, legal services, social work, or further graduate studies in criminal justice or related fields.