Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice

4-Year Degree Plan (Sample)

About the B.S. in Criminal Justice

The B.S. in Criminal Justice requires 120 credit hours. The degree program includes three main areas: general education, electives, and criminal justice.

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

General Education Curriculum

Visit the General Education website for a detailed description of the IU South Bend general-education curriculum, including lists of approved courses. All courses certified as meeting the campuswide general-education requirements are designated in the Schedule of Classes.

Campuswide Curriculum (33-37 cr.)

Fundamental Literacies (13-19 cr.)

• Writing | ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1
• Critical Thinking | Select from approved course list
• Oral Communication | SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
• Visual Literacy | select one of the following:

• CJUS-P 424 Crime Mapping and Geographic Information Systems
• Select from approved course list

• Quantitative Reasoning | Select one of the following:

• CJUS-K 300 Techniques of Data Analysis
• MATH-M 111 Mathematics in the World
• MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics

• Information Literacy | COAS-Q 110 Introduction to Information Literacy (1 cr.)
• Computer Literacy | Select from approved course list

Common Core Courses (12 cr.)

• Complete one course from each of the following four areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes. At least one of the areas must be completed at the 300-level.

• The Natural World | Select from approved course list
• Human Behavior and Social Institutions | Select from approved course list
• Literary and Intellectual Traditions|  Select from approved course list
• Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity | Select from approved course list

Contemporary Social Values (8 cr.)

• Students must complete one course from each of the following three areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes.

• Non-Western Cultures | Select from approved course list
• Diversity in United States Society | Select from approved course list (sociology or psychology recommended)
• Health and Wellness (2 cr.) | Select from approved course list

Additional Requirements (18 cr.)

• CJUS-K 300 Techniques of Data Analysis
• ECON-E 104 Introduction to Macroeconomics
• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills
• Three courses from sociology or psychology, with at least one 300-level class or above

World Languages (12 cr.)

• Select four courses in one language. Students may earn up to 6 credit hours for testing out of any two of these language classes (101, 102, 203, or 204) with the world languages placement examination. See the world language studies website for more details.

Criminal Justice Major (36 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Note | A grade of C– or higher in each course is required)

• CJUS-P 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CJUS-P 200 Theories of Crime and Deviance
• CJUS-P 290 The Nature of Inquiry
• CJUS-P 301 Police in Contemporary Society
• CJUS-P 302 Courts and Criminal Justice
• CJUS-P 303 Corrections and Criminal Justice
• CJUS-P 330 Criminal Justice Ethics
• CJUS-P 370 Criminal Law
• CJUS-P 410  Analysis of Crime and Public Policy
• Three additional criminal justice courses

Experiential Recommendation

It is recommended that students engage in a practical experience related to public affairs, e.g., internship, work experience, or some other activity approved by an academic advisor.

Electives (15 cr.)

Sufficient number to total a minimum of 120 credit hours.