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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Criminal Justice B.S.
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The major in Criminal Justice provides students with an academically sound understanding of crime, justice, and the criminal justice system. Students majoring in Criminal Justice receive a foundation in theory and research as well as opportunities for practical application through an internship within the field. This major is for students who may pursue careers over a wide range of criminal justice opportunities within city, state and federal jurisdictions - such as law enforcement, corrections, security, victim advocacy, law, juvenile justice, social services, and much more. Students are also encouraged to think about a possible minor in another area of study.
The major offers an optional concentration:
- Forensic Psychology Concentration is designed for students with a particular interest in the interaction of psychology and the law. Forensic Psychology is a broad field – practitioners work in areas such as crime trends, criminal profiling, mental health treatment for offenders and substance abusers, jury selection, impact of divorce, custody, and more. Students electing to take the Forensic Psychology concentration would choose Forensic Psychology, Psychopathology, and Psychology and the Law as their electives. All Criminal Justice seniors (with qualifying GPAs) currently participate in internships, so these students would look for a relevant Forensic Psychology internship.
Students must obtain a C- or better in each course required for the major, minor and the concentration.
Completing this degree program students will be able to:
- Explain the workings of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections; including identifying the key procedural and constitutional issues involved in the criminal justice system.
- Describe the causes of crime, including socio-political, historical, economic, environmental, psychological, and biological influences.
- Critically evaluate issues surrounding ethics, professionalism, bias, and politics in the criminal justice system; including an evaluation of global issues/affairs related to crime and justice.
- Evaluate and make decisions based on relevant scientific research, including considerations of whether the research was ethical and valid.
- Demonstrate the ability to discuss the above items both verbally and in written form.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills, ethical and professional behavior both in the classroom and during community-based learning experiences.
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Courses required for the Criminal Justice major
Courses listed here are to provide examples of the type of course that will satisfy this requirement. Courses in the SJC catalog are constantly evolving as new courses are added, old courses are removed, or existing courses are modified. Therefore, students should consult with their advisor or Department Chair for which currently available courses will fulfill their program requirements.
Criminal Justice Electives ( select three )
Choose one from each of the following groups (4 Courses):
Critical Issues Electives (Choose one)
Human Development Electives (Choose one):
Constitutional and Legal Electives (Choose one):
Diversity Electives (Choose one):
Optional Concentration: Forensic Psychology
The Forensic Psychology Concentration is designed for students with a particular interest in the interaction of psychology and the law. This concentration does not lead to a professional license; rather it provides a foundation for graduate work or entry-level employment. To complete this concentration, students must take at least four of the following:
Core Curriculum Requirements
Theological/Religious Inquiry (4 credits)
Choose one:
Philosophical Inquiry (4 credit)
Quantitative Reasoning (4 credit) *Appendix 1
Choose one:
Written Communication (3 credit)
Human Foundations and Multicultural Inquiry (3 credit)
Inquiry into the Natural World (3 credit) *Appendix 2
Choose one:
Inquiry into Society (3 credit) *Appendix 3
Choose one:
Literacy in Environmental Science (4 credit)
Historic and Civic Literacy for Effective Citizenship (3 credit) *Appendix 4
Leadership and Building JEDI (3 credit) *Appendix 5
Choose one:
Artistic Exploration and Expression (3 credit)
- Any Fine Arts (AT) course
Literary Exploration and Expression (3 credit)
- Any 200, 300, or 400 level English (EH) course
Wellness (3 credit) *Appendix 6
Choose one:
First-Year Experience (1 credit)
Appendix
One option (Mode #3) to meet core curriculum outcomes is to actively and intentionally engage in experiences that allow for careful reflection and assessment. This is designed to encourage and increase flexibility in the new LSC Core. Mode #3 is optional. It can use to to fulfill a maximum of two Mode #1 Categories.
Three to four credits may be earned by way of an approved experiential equivalency for a maximum of two Mode #1 Categories. Students are required to seek out a faculty sponsor with expertise in the subject matter to assist them in navigating the experiential equivalency process, along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs.
Guidelines for establishing credit weight: Depending on the nature and extent of the experience, students can gain three or four credits. Students who provide supporting documentation (letters from community partners, organizations or agencies where the experience took place), complete the experiential equivalency benchmarks and the portfolio can earn credit. The narrative and reflection within the portfolio will vary along with the nature of other deliverables (art projects, brochures, podcasts, blog postings, video presentations, etc.).
PRIOR EXPERIENCE: For those seeking credit for a prior learning experience, students will need to complete a screening questionnaire. This questionnaire allows a faculty sponsor and the Office of Academic Affairs to properly evaluate the experience, the amount of credits that may be applied and provides insights as to what core outcome(s) may be fulfilled. Once the questionnaire has been reviewed, the faculty sponsor and Associate Dean will meet with the student to discuss the project plan moving forward. Once the project plan is approved and benchmarks are provided, the student will be enrolled in the Brightspace course. The student will then have 15 weeks to complete the portfolio.
PLANNED EXPERIENCE: This process needs to be planned in consultation with a faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsor and student must complete an experiential equivalency project plan which will then be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs for review. This project plan will be mapped out for the upcoming semester. The project plan must include benchmarks to assess progress throughout the time frame agreed upon. Once the project plan is approved and benchmarks are provided, the student will be enrolled in the Brightspace course. The student will then have 15 weeks to complete the portfolio.
EE 100 Core Experiential Equivalency (3-4 Credits): This course allows students to use prior or planned experiences to meet Mode #1 core curriculum outcomes. A faculty sponsor is required along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs.
EE 101 Core Experiential Equivalency (3-4 Credits): This course allows students to use prior or planned experiences to meet Mode #1 core curriculum outcomes. A faculty sponsor is required along with approval from the Office of Academic Affairs.
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