Criminal Justice Major, BS

Criminal Justice Overview

The criminal justice major, for professionals in police, corrections or other forms of criminal justice work, provides students with psychological, sociological and humanistic perspectives to bring to their work experiences. Students are expected to complete eight units in the criminal justice field. Transfer credit is awarded for completion of the Police Academy training program.

Requirements

The BS in Criminal Justice requires 32 course units (128 semester credits). Students may transfer up to 16 units toward degree completion.

The Major

The following eight courses are required for the major:

CJ 1000 - Introduction to Legal Studies  

CJ 1240 - Drugs and Crime in Society I  

CJ 2010 - Criminology  

CJ 2000 - Crime and Deviance  

CJ 2100 - Criminal Law  

Three additional major courses selected in consultation with your academic advisor.

Please note any course substitution must be approved by program.

Capstone Course

The Capstone project is the culminating experience for bachelor of science degree programs.  The final deliverable is a demonstration of the student’s professional competencies and evidence of a foundation of theoretical knowledge applied to “real-world” issues. SPS offers students various options for completing their capstone requirement.  Each option involves practicing their skills in collaboration, analysis, problem solving, research, writing and professional presentations.  Students work with their advisor to determine the Capstone option that works best for their professional and academic development.

Distribution Requirements

Students are required to take 11 course units to meet the liberal arts distribution requirement for a bachelor of science or a bachelor of general studies degree. This requirement is designed to give students perspectives on human affairs that are essential to be contributing citizens of the world.  Please note that required major courses may also satisfy a Distribution Requirement; consult with your academic advisor if you have questions.  The 11 units must be distributed as follows:

• English/Verbal Expression- two units - ENG 1000 - Introduction to Composition  & ENG 1150 - Intermediate Composition  
• Humanities - three units, distributed among at least two disciplines. One unit must be met a course on ethics.  Course subject prefixes that satisfy this category include: ASL, ART, ARTH, ARTS, ENG (not ENG 1000 or ENG 1150), FILM, GERM, HEBR, JAPN, MUSC, PHIL, and TA.  Students may also take COMM 1210 Effective Speaking and Presenting.
• Science/Mathematics - two units. One in math; one in science.
• Social Sciences - three units, distributed among at least two disciplines.  Course subject prefixes that satisfy this category include: CJ, COMM, ECON, GOVT, HIST, LEAD, PSYC, and SOC.
• Technology - one unit.  Course subject prefix that satisfies this category: CSEC

Distribution Requirement Student Learning Outcomes

• Analyze a variety of professional rhetorical situations and produce appropriate texts in response.
• Formulate appropriate and ethical communication choices in presentations based on audience and situation.
• Articulate the different sides of ethical issues and defend their own views in discussion and in writing.
• Analyze human experience by examining similarities and differences in a global or international context.
• Apply appropriate mathematical, statistical, or computational strategies to solve problems.
• Discuss the role of science in society and its ethical conduct.
• Recognize how social, political, historical, and economic institutions shape societal and individual behavior.

Electives

Electives may be selected from the entire spectrum of courses. Please consult your academic advisor with questions.