Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Major (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

This major is offered through the School of Arts & Sciences. The Criminal Justice and Legal Studies 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 criminal justice and legal studies field. 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 may choose 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

I. Core Curriculum - 48 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
CHM 122 - The Great Commandment 3 Credits
CHM 301 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
CHM 328 - The Great Commission 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
HIS 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Communication Elective - choose one of the following:
COM 140 - Perspectives in Communication 3 Credits
COM 252 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
Fine Arts Elective - choose one of the following:
FAR/MUS Fine Arts or Music Elective - 3 Credits
HON 225 - Beauty: Art and Culture 3 Credits
ENG/HIS/MAT/SCI Elective - choose one of the following or take two History Electives:
ENG 250 - Short Story 3 Credits
ENG 312 - American Literature 3 Credits
ENG 314 - Poetry 3 Credits
ENG 322 - The Novel 3 Credits
ENG 326 - Global Literature 3 Credits
MAT 130 - Mathematics Survey 3 Credits
MAT 131 - College Algebra 3 Credits
Lab Science Elective - 4 Credits
History Elective - choose one or two of the following:
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
HIS 231 - American Civilization to 1877 3 Credits
HIS 232 - American Civilization since 1877 3 Credits
Math or Science Elective - choose one of the following:
MAT 226 - Applied Statistics 3 Credits
Lab Science Elective - 4 Credits
Social Science Elective - choose one of the following:
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits
SOC 230 - Sociology 3 Credits

II. Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Major - 39 Credits

CRJ 252 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Concepts 3 Credits
CRJ 255 - Criminal Procedure 3 Credits
CRJ 256 - Criminal Statutes and Enforcement 3 Credits
CRJ 318X - Law & Literature 3 Credits
CRJ 321 - Christian and Legal Ethics 3 Credits
CRJ 330 - Juvenile Justice Concepts 3 Credits
CRJ 339 - Victimology 3 Credits
CRJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
CRJ 356 - Civil Law and Procedure 3 Credits
CRJ 446 - Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice Reform 3 Credits
POL 332 - American Constitutional Law 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
Complete 3 credits from the following courses:
BUS 421 - Business Law 3 Credits
CRJ 354 - Rhetoric: Debate and Mock Trial 3 Credits
CRJ Elective 3 Credits
POL 232 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credits

III. Electives - 38 Credits

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

Total - 125 Credits

Four Year Suggested Program for the Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
CHM 122 - The Great Commandment 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
Math or Science Elective 3-4 Credits (Choose from: Lab Science classes or MAT 226 )
Social Science Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: PSY 130 or SOC 230 )

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
CRJ 252 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Concepts 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
History Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: HIS 133 , HIS 134 , HIS 231 or HIS 232 )
CRJ 255 - Criminal Procedure 3 Credits (odd)
or
Elective 3 Credits (even)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 140 or COM 252 )
Elective 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Even Year Courses
CRJ 256 - Criminal Statutes and Enforcement 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CRJ 339 - Victimology 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

CHM 328 - The Great Commission 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
ENG/HIS/MAT/SCI Elective 3-4 Credits (Choose from: ENG 250 , ENG 312 , ENG 314 , ENG 322 , ENG 326 , HIS 133 , HIS 134 , HIS 231 , HIS 232 , MAT 130 , MAT 131  or a Lab Science class)
Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: FAR or MUS classes or HON 225 )
CRJ 255 - Criminal Procedure 3 Credits (odd)
or
Elective 3 Credits (even)

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 - 17 Credits

CHM 301 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
Elective 5 Credits
Even Year Courses
CRJ 256 - Criminal Statutes and Enforcement 3 Credits
CRJ 330 - Juvenile Justice Concepts 3 Credits
SOC 350 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CRJ 318X - Law & Literature 3 Credits
CRJ 339 - Victimology 3 Credits
CRJ 446 - Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice Reform 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 18 Credits

Elective 12 Credits
Even Year Courses
CRJ 321 - Christian and Legal Ethics 3 Credits
CRJ 356 - Civil Law and Procedure 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CRJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
POL 332 - American Constitutional Law 3 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
CRJ Elective 3 Credits
Even Year Courses
CRJ 330 - Juvenile Justice Concepts 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CRJ 318X - Law & Literature 3 Credits
CRJ 446 - Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice Reform 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
Elective 6 Credits
Even Year Courses
CRJ 321 - Christian and Legal Ethics 3 Credits
CRJ 356 - Civil Law and Procedure 3 Credits
Odd Year Courses
CRJ 352 - Criminology 3 Credits
POL 332 - American Constitutional Law 3 Credits