2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
    Dec 08, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Criminal Justice, B.A.


This program offers a curriculum designed specifically to meet the needs of future criminal justice professionals.  The curriculum combines theory, research, and data analysis related to crime and criminal justice.  Students majoring in criminal justice will be prepared generally for careers in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. The major consists of 42 credit hours of coursework. Students are encouraged to complement the major with a minor in sociology, social work, psychology, or cybersecurity.

Mission Statement

The Department of Social Work is called to ‘serve the dear neighbor without distinction,” according to the mission and heritage of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  We prepare students to become ethical professionals who are committed to social justice as they serve and empower individuals, families, and communities.

The Criminal Justice (CJ) major holds those values dear as we educate students to be informed and knowledgeable practitioners.  Our mission is to provide a broad-based curriculum built on behavioral science and grounded in theory, research, and data analysis with an emphasis on diversity and human relations.  Amidst the challenges of modern society, students completing the CJ major will espouse the Catholic Social Teaching principle that “the dignity of each human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.”  Within this framework, graduates of the program will develop mindfulness of the inequities that exist within the criminal justice system and develop skills necessary to be agents of change.

Learning Outcomes


  • Demonstrate the usefulness of theoretical perspectives in criminal justice and criminology to evaluate and implement crime prevention and interventions on criminal behavior.
  • Develop critical thinking and research skills necessary to evaluate and create sound social research in criminal justice/criminology.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of decision-making using the professional code of ethics as a standard.
  • Explore the relationship between human rights, criminological theory, societal norms and attitudes with law enforcement, the courts and corrections.
  • Address criminal justice phenomena with sociological insight, gaining the ability to recognize and respond to patterns in criminal behavior and criminal justice outcomes.
  • Internalize cultural sensitivity and develop an appreciation for the importance of diversity in all matters related to criminal/social justice.
  • Recognize the inequality, power, and privilege inherent in criminal justice policies and practices and respond as an agent of change, moving toward universal social justice.

General Education Requirements


The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the Academic Information section of this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline.

Recommended Courses

**Meets Diversity and Justice GER

***Meets requirement for State & Local Government Foundations GER

****Meets Mathematics GER

Criminal Justice Curriculum (42 credit hours)


Courses Required in Other Disciplines (9 credits)


All three of these courses meet the Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirement.