Criminal/Social Justice Major (B.S.)

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The Criminal/Social Justice major is a four-year program with a focus upon restorative principles that reflect a Christ-centered approach to the field of study. Students will learn to apply their faith within the social justice framework utilizing restorative processes maintaining a dual emphasis of restorative justice and social problem solving within the justice system. Students will be afforded opportunities to build professional contacts and to explore areas of interest throughout the criminal justice network through their criminal justice instructors who are former or current practitioners within this vast field of study. Students are required to participate in the internship class which collaborates with federal, state, county, and local agencies and organizations to provide hands-on training and experience.

Program Requirements

Christian Studies Core

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 30 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Electives 4-6 Credits²
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 5-7 Credits^1,2*

Major Core

III. Criminal/Social Justice Major - 51 Credits

CSJ 251 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 340 - American Minority 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 341 - Family Violence 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CSJ 353 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits
CSJ 445 - Restorative Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 451 - Comparative Justice Systems 3 Credits
or
CSJ 455 - Police and Community 3 Credits
CSJ 461 - Criminal/Social Justice Internship 1-3 Credits (3 credits required)
HIS 231 - American Civilization to 1877 3 Credits
HIS 232 - American Civilization since 1877 3 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits *
PSY 330 - Counseling Psychology 3 Credits *
PSY 336 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credits
SOC 230 - Sociology 3 Credits
SOC 338X - Social Justice 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
SOC 341X - Diversity in Sociology 3 Credits

IV. Electives - 20 Credits *

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level.

Total - 125 Credits

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached

Recommended General electives:

BUS 130 - Concepts of Personal Finance 3 Credits
PSY 236 - Developmental Psychology 3 Credits

Four Year Suggested Program for the Criminal/Social Justice Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
CSJ 251 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits (even)
or
Elective 3 Credits (odd)
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits (BUS 130 recommended)

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits (fulfills Social Science elective)*
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
Elective 1 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

CSJ 251 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits (even)
or
Elective 3 Credits (odd)
HIS 231 - American Civilization to 1877 3 Credits (fulfills Humanities elective)*
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
HIS 232 - American Civilization since 1877 3 Credits (fulfills Humanities elective)*
SOC 230 - Sociology 3 Credits (fulfills Social Science elective)*
Elective 3 Credits (PSY 236 recommended)

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Criminal/Social Justice major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
PSY 330 - Counseling Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 336 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credits
Even Year Courses
CSJ 341 - Family Violence 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CSJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CSJ 445 - Restorative Justice 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

Electives 9 Credits
Even Year Courses
CSJ 451 - Comparative Justice Systems 3 Credits
or
CSJ 455 - Police and Community 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CSJ 340 - American Minority 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 353 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 18 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
SOC 338X - Social Justice 3 Credits
SOC 341X - Diversity in Sociology 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Even Year Courses
CSJ 341 - Family Violence 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CSJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CSJ 445 - Restorative Justice 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CSJ 461 - Criminal/Social Justice Internship 1-3 Credits (3 credits required)
Elective 3 Credits
Even Year Courses
CSJ 451 - Comparative Justice Systems 3 Credits
or
CSJ 455 - Police and Community 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CSJ 340 - American Minority 3 Credits
or
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 353 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits