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Criminal Justice BS

Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120

The Criminal Justice program prepares students for careers in various aspects of the criminal justice system and safety management. Through theoretical knowledge and practical skills graduates are provided with the tools needed to make a positive community impact. Common career opportunities include Detective and Criminal Investigator, Emergency Management Coordinator, Homeland Security Specialist, Compliance Officer, Crime Analyst, Police Officer, Probation Officer, Legal Assistant/Paralegal, and Policy Analyst. Students may elect to pursue further education through pursuing graduate degrees in criminal justice, public policy, law, or other related fields.

Core coursework within the major will develop student knowledge in criminal law and procedures, policing and law enforcement, corrections and rehabilitation, criminal justice ethics and diversity, and safety and security management. Students will complete an internship in a related career area or complete the Peace Officer Training Certificate through Lake Region State College.

Students completing the Peace Officer Training Program must meet Lake Region State College admission requirements for the program. These requirements include:

  • Full criminal background check (FBI Criminal Background Required)
  • Psychological Assessment Examination
  • Medical Examination

Criminal Justice majors must complete 36 hours of essential studies including: ENGL 120 or ENGL 125, HIST 305, MATH 103 or MATH 104, PSYC 111 and SOC 110.

A list of approved essential studies courses is available here.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of sociological and psychological frameworks directly tied to crime, delinquency, and victimization.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of criminal law and procedures, criminal justice systems, policing and law enforcement.
  3. Students will analyze and evaluate the roles gender, race, ethnicity and culture play within criminal justice systems.
  4. Students willy apply oral and written communication skills in problem solving and decision making related to complex issues within criminal justice.
  5. Students will develop skills essential to research and analysis of policies, practices, and emerging issues within criminal justice contexts.
  6. Students will apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities of criminal justice professionals through experiential learning.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses

CJ 210Policing

3
CJ 270Corrections

3
CJ 300Criminology

3
CJ 330Criminal Law & Procedure

3
CJ 350Victimology

3
CJ 465Gender, Race & Ethnicity in Criminal Justice

3
PSYC 310Statistics for the Social Sciences

3
PSYC 361Social Psychology

3
PSYC 370Psychology of Abnormal Behavior

3
PSYC 460Research Methods in Psychology

3
SOC 201Introduction to Criminal Justice

3
SOC 355Drugs and Society

3
Total Credit Hours:36

Select 9 SH from the following:

CJ 354Media, Crime & Justice in America

3
CJ 360Criminal Courty Systems

3
CJ 370Cybercrime & Cyber Security

3
CJ 410The Policy Role & Society

3
Total Credit Hours:9

Experiential Learning (Select one of the following tracks)

CJ 497SInternship

0.50-10
Peace Officer Training Program

17