The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice provides preparation for students interested primarily in a career in criminal justice. The program includes four main areas: general education, public affairs and policy, criminal justice, and general electives. 

General Education

The General Education requirements are based on five (5) principles. These principles guide undergraduate students in their educational experience at Indiana University Northwest and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. By fulfilling these requirements, students will have an opportunity to develop effective learning and communication skills (principle 1 requirements), a mastery of core concepts in a broad range of disciplines (Principle 2), the ability to analyze and synthesize information (Principle 3), an awareness of diversity (Principle 4),and ethical consideration (Principle 5).

Principle 1 Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication (11 courses)

 All students are required to take:

    ENG W131   Elementary Composition (3 cr.)
    SPCH S121   Public Speaking (3 cr.)

In addition, all students must complete the following requirements under Principle 1:

   1. Mathematics (3 cr.)

One of the following courses:

     MATH M100 Basic Mathematics (3 cr.)
     MATH M118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
     MATH M119 Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.)
     MATH M125 Precalculus Mathematics (3 cr.)

   2. Natural Science Class with Lab (4-6 cr.)

    BIOL L100 Humans and the Biological World (5)
    CHEM C101 Elementary Chemistry I (3 cr.)
    CHEM C121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
    GEOL G101 Introduction to Earth Science (3 cr.)
    GEOL G102 Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory I (1 cr.)

   3. Intensive Writing Courses (6 cr.)

    ENG W231 Professional Writing (3 cr.) Required

One of the following courses:

    SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
    SPEA J439  Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.) (See course description for prerequisite) 

   4. Advanced Oral Communication Course (3 cr.)

One of the following courses:

    SPEA J201 Theoretical Foundation of Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
    SPEA J222  Murder: Causes and Consequences (3 cr.)
    SPEA J312 White Collar Crime (3 cr.)
    SPEA J370 Sex Crimes and Offenders (3 cr.)
    SPEA J370 Serial Murders (3 cr.)

   5. Advanced Math Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

One of the following courses:

    SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
    ECON E270 Introduction to Statistical Theory for Economics and Business (3 cr.)

   6. Advanced Scientific Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

One of the following courses:

    SPEA E272 Intro to Environmental Science (3 cr.)
    SPEA H322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 Cr.)
    SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.)

   7. Information Literacy (3 cr.)

One of the following courses:

    SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods and Resources
    SPEA V468 Research Methods in Applied Social Sciences (3 cr.)

   8. Learning Technologies course (3 cr.)

    SPEA V261 Computers in Public Affairs (3 cr.)

Principle 2 Breadth of Learning

   1. Arts & Humanities (6 cr.)

Two of the following courses:         

    HIST H105 American History I (3 cr.)
    HIST H106 American History II (3 cr.)
    AFRO A150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans (3 cr.)
    AFRO A151 Minority People in the United States (3 cr.)
    ANTH A104 Culture & Society (3 cr.)
    PHIL P100 Introduction to Philosophy (3 cr.)
    PHIL P140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.)
    PHIL P150 Elementary Logic (3 cr.)
    WOST W401 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (3 cr.)

   *2. Cultural & Historical Studies (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes, not including H105 and H106

   3. Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

Two of the following courses:

    SOC S161 Principles of Sociology (3 cr.)
    SOC S163 Social Problems (3 cr.)
    SOC S320 Deviant Behavior & social Control (3 cr.)
    SOC S325 Criminology (3 cr.)

    *4. Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (3 cr.)

    One class from approved College of Arts and Sciences list; in addition to the natural science class under Principle 1.

Principle 3 Critical Thinking, Integration, and Application of Knowledge (One Course)

    SPEA J439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.) (see course description for prerequisite)

Principle 4 Diversity (One Course)

    SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice

Principle 5 Ethics & Citizenship (One Course)

One of the following courses:

    SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods & Resources (3cr.)
    SPEA V252 Career Development and Planning (3 cr.)

Public Affairs and Policy (4 courses)

Four courses from the following:

    SPEA E272 Intro to Environmental Science (3 cr.)
    SPEA V170 Intro to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
    SPEA V252 Career Development and Planning (3 cr.)
    SPEA V263 Public Management (3 cr.)
    SPEA V264 Urban Structure and Policy (3 cr.)
    SPEA V348 Management Science (3 cr.)
    SPEA V365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.)
    SPEA V366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.)
    SPEA V372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.)
    SPEA V376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)
    Other Public Affairs Courses (with advisor's consent)

Concentration (12 courses)

All of the following courses:

    SPEA J101 American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
    SPEA J102 Special Issues in the American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
    SPEA J201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
    SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.)
    SPEA J301 Substantive criminal Law (3 cr.)
    SPEA J306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
    SPEA J321 American Policing (3 cr.)
    SPEA J331 Corrections (3 cr.)
    SPEA J439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.) (see course description for prequisite)
    Three additional courses in criminal justice

General Electives (approximately 7 courses)

Students must take additional courses beyond the requirements listed above to meet the minimum B.S. degree requirements of 120 credit hours.

*The College of Arts and Sciences list of classes can be obtained from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs or retrieved from the SPEA website.