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Criminal Justice

The B.A. in Criminal Justice from Georgian Court University is a truly multidisciplinary effort designed to maximize student’s preparation for a rapidly expanding field of professional opportunities and research.

Students who pursue a major in criminal justice at GCU will find that our faculty are passionate about their areas of scholarship and professional experiences in the field. We aim to instill in our students the ability to think critically about criminal justice systems and a desire to act with extraordinary integrity and professionalism. Our curriculum is designed with social justice and the development of concrete and translatable skills in mind. Such skills include the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, to understand strategies and tools of effective problem solving, and to evaluate the impact of diversity on criminal justice systems.

Graduates of our criminal justice program will be equipped for careers in local, state or federal government agencies; law; consulting, security, research, international agencies, social services, corrections, and nonprofit organizations.

Criminal justice majors who would like to focus on courses specific to their career or academic interests may elect to do a concentration in one of three areas: cyber crime, global justice and society, or law enforcement and corrections.

To gain a deeper understanding of how politics, laws, and history shape society today, consider a minor in politics, law, and history.

To earn this degree, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including your General Education requirements and the major requirements below.

Major Sequence

A minimum of 42 core credits, plus courses in related areas, is required for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Students who have no applied experience in the field must also complete an additional 3-credit internship. It is strongly recommended that students take MA103 Introduction to Statistical Thinking to satisfy the General Education Quantitative Analysis requirement.

Core Requirements
CJ111The Criminal Justice System3
CJ167Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice3
or AN112 Cultural Anthropology
CJ/SO200Theories of Crime3
CJ210Introduction to Law Enforcement3
or CJ212 Introduction to Corrections
CJ213Criminal Law & Practice3
CJ320Special Populations in the CJ System3
CJ325Gender & Crime3
CJ331Research Methods in Criminal Justice3
CJ435Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice3
CJ495Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice3
SO101Principles of Sociology3
SO/PO201Social Statistics3
2 CJ electives. PS321 may be used as a CJ elective.6
Additional Course 1
CJ333
Internship in Criminal Justice
General Education Course 2
World Language 23
Total Credits45
1

Students who have no applied experience in a work or voluntary capacity in a criminal justice agency or related organization will also be required to complete a 15th course, CJ333 Internship in Criminal Justice.

2

World Language is required; Spanish is strongly recommended. Another language may be substituted with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Concentrations in Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice majors who would like to focus on courses specific to their career or academic interests may elect to do a concentration in one of three areas: Cyber Crime, Global Justice and Society, or Law Enforcement and Corrections. Students wanting to add a concentration take courses as listed in the groups below; two of the courses in the concentration may count toward the electives required for the major. Concentrations are an elective part of their major. Students may request to take alternate courses (e.g. in other departments, special topics courses) relevant to the concentration upon department chair and advisor approval. Note: Several Special Topics courses that are regularly offered will also count toward these concentrations.

Cyber Crime

CJ301Cyber Security & GIS3
CJ302Cyber Crime3
CS123Computer Programming I4
IS320Management Information Systems3
IS422Enterprise Cybersecurity3
Total Credits16

Global Justice & Society

Select four of the following:12
CJ/PO313
Constitutional Law
CJ351
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
CJ353
Victimology
CJ/PO355
Political Crimes & Terrorism
CJ365
International Human Rights Law
CJ375
Global Justice & Law
CJ398
Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
SO304
Globalization & Sustainability
PO211
American National Government
SW253
Human Rights & Social Justice
Total Credits12

Law Enforcement & Corrections

Select four of the following:12
CJ221
Introduction to Forensic Science
CJ231
Juvenile Justice
CJ343
Criminal Investigation
CJ353
Victimology
IH335
Integrative Stress Management & Health
PO221
State & Local Government in America
PO211
American National Government
PS321
Criminal Profiling
Total Credits12



For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

Gain a better understanding of criminal law and ways to research criminal activity. Whether you pursue police work, counseling, or another social service career, this program delivers a broad platform to show your professional expertise.

Minor Requirements

SO101Principles of Sociology3
CJ111The Criminal Justice System3
CJ/SO200Theories of Crime3
Select one of the following:3
CJ210
Introduction to Law Enforcement
CJ212
Introduction to Corrections
CJ213
Criminal Law & Practice
Any two 300-level CJ, AN, or SO electives. PS321 may be used as a CJ elective.6
Total Credits18


For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Learn highly practical, translatable and marketable skills in utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and coding with a minor in cyber crime from GCU. The Internet has become a central hub for the buying and selling of illicit goods, information, and services, which changed the face of modern life. According to the FBI, crimes involving the Internet resulted in the loss of over $5 billion in 2017. Because of the widespread use of computer systems, a minor in cyber crime provides valuable knowledge, no matter what field you are interested in pursuing.

Minor Requirements

CJ200Theories of Crime3
CJ301Cyber Security & GIS3
CJ302Cyber Crime3
CS123Computer Programming I4
IS320Management Information Systems3
IS422Enterprise Cybersecurity3
Total Credits19


For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Expand your knowledge of crime and the law beyond our borders. Whether you focus on transnational crimes, international law, universal human rights, or the administration of criminal justice in other cultures, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the globalized world of crime and law with a minor in global justice and society.

Minor Requirements

CJ111The Criminal Justice System3
CJ213Criminal Law & Practice3
Any three 300-level Global Justice and Society courses 9
Any other Global Justice and Society course3
Total Credits18

Global Justice & Society Courses

CJ/PO313Constitutional Law3
CJ351Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3
CJ353Victimology3
CJ/PO355Political Crimes & Terrorism3
CJ365International Human Rights Law3
CJ375Global Justice & Law3
CJ398Selected Topics in Criminal Justice3
SO304Globalization & Sustainability3
PO211American National Government3
SW253Human Rights & Social Justice3


For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
Gain insights into the inner workings of two of the most dynamic areas of the criminal justice system. Whether you specialize in criminal investigations, forensics, rehabilitation, prisons, or alternative sanctions for those convicted of crimes, you’ll gain a foundational base in practical aspects of the field with a minor in law enforcement and corrections.

Minor Requirements

CJ111The Criminal Justice System3
CJ210Introduction to Law Enforcement3
or CJ212 Introduction to Corrections
Any two 300-level Law Enforcement and Corrections courses6
Any other two Law Enforcement and Corrections courses6
Total Credits18

Law Enforcement and Corrections Courses

CJ221Introduction to Forensic Science3
CJ231Juvenile Justice3
CJ343Criminal Investigation3
CJ353Victimology3
IH335Integrative Stress Management & Health3
PO221State & Local Government in America3
PO211American National Government3
PS321Criminal Profiling3


For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

This minor assists students in developing significant skills of social analysis and gain knowledge and the capacity to assess social structures, processes, and relationships. Courses focus on power, culture, socialization, stratification and inequality, control and deviance, and social change as well as the development of social research skills.

Minor Requirements

Students must complete 18 credits.  At least 9 credits must be completed at Georgian Court University, and at least 3 credits must be earned in courses at the 300 or 400 level. Criminal Justice majors and Social Work majors may not count more than 9 credits for both their major and the sociology minor. Criminal Justice minors and Social Work minors may not count more than 6 credits for those minors and the sociology minor.

Required
CJ200Theories of Crime3
SO101Principles of Sociology3
Electives12
Any course in anthropology
Any course in sociology
CJ167
Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice
CJ325
Gender & Crime 1
CJ351
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 1
CJ353
Victimology
CJ375
Global Justice & Law
CJ398
Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
SW213
Selected Topics in Social Work
SW251
Family Systems
SW253
Human Rights & Social Justice
SW305
Human Behavior & Social Environment I 1
SW306
Human Behavior & Social Environment II 1
Total Credits18
1

Prerequisites must be taken or permission granted, per catalog.




For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

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