COURSE CURRICULUM

The Justice Studies, Criminology Concentration program at San José State University offers a comprehensive 120-unit undergraduate degree that combines interdisciplinary theory, research, and practical experience to examine crime, law, and justice systems. The curriculum includes 25 lower division and 3 upper division general education units, along with 2 units of physical education and a writing requirement fulfilled through JS 100W. Students complete 6 units of major preparation by selecting an introductory justice-related course such as justice studies, forensic science, legal studies, or human rights, along with a statistics course to develop analytical and quantitative reasoning skills. The major requirements total 45 units and include core courses in writing, research methods, criminological theory, human rights, and topics addressing race, gender, and inequality, as well as hands-on learning through internships or community-based projects and a senior seminar. The criminology concentration adds 12 required units focusing on policing, penal systems, juvenile justice, and victimology, providing deeper understanding of crime and justice institutions. Students also complete 9 units of concentration electives across areas such as theory, methodology, critical inquiry, global justice, and experiential learning, allowing exploration of topics like cybercrime, terrorism, and white-collar crime. The program is completed with 33 units of university electives or a minor, offering flexibility to pursue additional academic interests. Overall, the degree prepares students with strong analytical, research, and practical skills for careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, policy analysis, or further studies in criminology, law, or social sciences.