Purpose

The B.A. Major in Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary degree that draws on the social sciences, legal studies, and the humanities to study social norms, rules, and laws; the causes of their violations; and the social and legal response to these violations. Systems of regulation, including the criminal justice system and dispute resolution processes, are studied and evaluated as organizational, social, and cultural processes. Criminal Justice courses are taught by a diverse group of scholars trained in criminal justice and criminology, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy. The degree is designed for students interested in studying justice-related issues, including law.

Requirements

Students must complete the following:

1. At least 30 credit hours in criminal justice, including CJUS P100, P200, P290, P314, and K300 (or another 300-400 level substitute approved by the department; see the undergraduate advisor).
2. Two 400-level courses in criminal justice and three electives (for a minimum of 15 credit hours). All three electives must be at the 300 or 400 level. Only one of the electives may be taken from the list of Optional Courses Approved for the Major and Certificate; the remaining electives must be in criminal justice.
3. At least 18 credit hours of the above coursework must be taken in residence on the Bloomington campus.

Majors may substitute a different 300-level course in statistical methods from another department of the College of Arts and Sciences, but in that case no course from the Optional Courses Approved for the Major and Certificate may count toward the major. Students who are interested in pursuing this option (i.e., an alternative statistics course) must first verify their eligibility with an academic advisor in the Department of Criminal Justice.

Students must also complete the degree requirements for the B.A. degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.