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/CHM/THE - Bible, Christian Ministry or Theology Elective 12 Credits¹(Choose CHM Electives from: CHM 201 , CHM 211 , CHM 300 or CHM 325 )
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 30 Credits

Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 133 , COM 140 or COM 252 )
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
History Elective 3 Credits
Math or Science Elective 3-4 Credits
Communication, Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 17-18 Credits^2,3*

Major Core

III. Criminal/Social Justice Major - 40 Credits

CRM 318X - Law & Literature 3 Credits *
CRM 322X - History of War Weapons: Knives to WMDs 3 Credits *
CSJ 252 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Concepts 3 Credits
CSJ 330 - Juvenile Justice Concepts 3 Credits
CSJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CSJ 445 - Restorative Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 451 - Comparative Justice Systems 3 Credits
LWE 349 - CSI: Criminal Investigations 3 Credits
PED 131 - Self Defense 1 Credits
POL 332 - American Constitutional Law 3 Credits *
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits *
SOC 338X - Social Justice 3 Credits *

Complete six credits from the following courses:

Criminal/Social Justice Internships are highly recommended. Students should consult with an advisor to establish an internship location.

BUS 421 - Business Law 3 Credits
CRM - Criminology Elective 3-6 Credits
CSJ 460 - Topics in Criminal and Social Justice 3 Credits
CSJ 461 - Criminal/Social Justice Internship 1-3 Credits
CSJ 462 - Criminal/Social Justice Internship II 1-3 Credits
CSJ 463 - Criminal/Social Justice Internship III 1-3 Credits
CSJ - Criminal/Social Justice Elective 3-6 Credits
HIS 231 - American Civilization to 1877 3 Credits
HIS 232 - American Civilization since 1877 3 Credits
HPE 221 - Personal and Community Health 2 Credits
LWE - Law Enforcement Elective 3-6 Credits
POL 232 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credits
PSY 236 - Developmental Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 330 - Counseling Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 336 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits

IV. Additional Requirements - 3 Credits

ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits

V. Electives - 49 Credits*

Electives (300-400 level) 9 Credits
Electives 40 Credits

A minimum of 36 credits must be at the upper (300-400) level for a bachelor degree.

* 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.

Total - 125 Credits

¹Interdisciplinary courses in the major core that are cross listed as BIB or THE will fulfill this requirement. Choose Christian Ministry electives from CHM 201 , CHM 211 , CHM 300 or CHM 325 .

² Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

³ Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

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
Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 133 , COM 140 or COM 252 )
CSJ 252 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Concepts 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

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
Math or Science Elective 3-4 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits *
Elective 3-4 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

PED 131 - Self Defense 1 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Electives 12 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/CHM/THE - Bible, Christian Ministry or Theology Elective 6 Credits¹
LWE 349 - CSI: Criminal Investigations 3 Credits
Electives 6 Credits

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 is required for departmental admission in the Criminal/Social Justice major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/CHM/THE - Bible, Christian Ministry or Theology Elective 3 Credits¹
CRM 318X - Law & Literature 3 Credits *
SOC 338X - Social Justice 3 Credits *
Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Major Core Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

POL 332 - American Constitutional Law 3 Credits *
Elective 9 Credits
Major Core Elective 3 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 18 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
CSJ 330 - Juvenile Justice Concepts 3 Credits
CSJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CSJ 445 - Restorative Justice 3 Credits
Elective (300-400 level) 6 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/CHM/THE - Bible, Christian Ministry or Theology Elective 3 Credits¹
CRM 322X - History of War Weapons: Knives to WMDs 3 Credits *
CSJ 451 - Comparative Justice Systems 3 Credits
Elective 6 Credits