Mission Statement

The Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security (CJHS) is committed to academic excellence and the improvement of criminal justice and homeland security practices through research and service.  The department offers an excellent education designed to give students both a broad and in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice components and skills needed to succeed in a variety of careers in criminal justice or homeland security fields.  Additionally, this program of study will prepare students for graduate studies.  The department is dedicated to offering learning opportunities beyond the classroom including independent studies, research projects, internships, and participation in field trips, seminars, workshops, conferences, and student organization activities. 

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 

Program Requirements

1. See the “Degree Requirements” section under the “School of Humanities and Social Sciences.”

2. Criminal Justice Major: Students must complete a minimum of 42 credit hours in criminal justice with a grade of C- or higher in each course.

3. Criminal Justice Required Courses:  The following courses are required of all criminal justice majors and may not be substituted:

• CJHS-J 101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.) (prerequisite for all other criminal justice courses)
• CJHS-J 201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods and Resources (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 305 Juvenile Justice System (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 321 American Policing (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 331 Corrections (3 cr.)
• CJHS-J 380 Internship in Criminal Justice -or- CJHS-J 480 Research in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

4.  Criminal Justice Elective Courses (15 cr.):  Five additional 200-, 300- or 400-level criminal justice courses are required. Homeland security/emergency management courses may count as a criminal justice electives.