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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, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including 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 System3.0
CJ167Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice3.0
or AN112 Cultural Anthropology
CJ/SO200Theories of Crime3.0
CJ210Introduction to Law Enforcement3.0
or CJ212 Introduction to Corrections
CJ213Criminal Law & Practice3.0
CJ320Special Populations in the CJ System 33.0
CJ325Gender & Crime3.0
CJ331Research Methods in Criminal Justice3.0
CJ435Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice3.0
CJ495Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice3.0
SO101Principles of Sociology3.0
SO/PO201Social Statistics3.0
2 CJ electives. PS320 and PS321 may be used as CJ electives6.0
Additional Course 1
CJ333
Internship in Criminal Justice
General Education Course 2
World Language 23.0
Total Credits45.0
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.

3

CJ majors are expected to take CJ320. However, PS320 can be used to satisfy the CJ320 requirement. PS320 cannot be counted as a substitute for CJ320 and as a CJ Elective.

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 or other concentration courses not listed that are offered on a rotating basis as designated by the department chair each semester.  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) relevant to the concentration upon department chair and advisor approval. 

Cyber Crime

CJ301Cyber Security & GIS3.0
CJ302Cyber Crime3.0
CS123Computer Programming I4.0
IS320Management Information Systems3.0
IS422Enterprise Cybersecurity3.0
Total Credits16.0

Global Justice & Society

Select four of the following:12.0
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 (dependent on semester, and when designated as concentration course by dept. chair)
CJ410
Independent Research in Criminal Justice (dependent on research topic; dept. chair approval required)
SO304
Globalization & Sustainability
PO211
American National Government
PO233
Modern Political Thought
PO350
Comparative Politics
SW253
Human Rights & Social Justice
Total Credits12.0

Law Enforcement & Corrections

Select four of the following:12.0
CJ167
Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice (if also taking AN112 as a core CJ requirement)
CJ210
Introduction to Law Enforcement (if also taking CJ212 as a core CJ requirement)
CJ231
Juvenile Justice
CJ301
Cyber Security & GIS
CJ302
Cyber Crime
CJ343
Criminal Investigation
CJ353
Victimology
CJ398
Selected Topics in Criminal Justice (dependent on semester, and when designated as concentration course by dept. chair)
CJ401
Sex Crimes
CJ410
Independent Research in Criminal Justice (dependent on research topic; dept. chair approval required)
IH335
Integrative Stress Management & Health
PO211
American National Government
PO221
State & Local Government in America
PS320
Forensic Psychology
PS321
Criminal Profiling
Total Credits12.0



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 Sociology3.0
CJ111The Criminal Justice System3.0
CJ/SO200Theories of Crime3.0
Select one of the following:3.0
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.6.0
Total Credits18.0


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 Crime3.0
CJ301Cyber Security & GIS3.0
CJ302Cyber Crime3.0
CS123Computer Programming I4.0
IS320Management Information Systems3.0
IS422Enterprise Cybersecurity3.0
Total Credits19.0


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 System3.0
CJ213Criminal Law & Practice3.0
Any three 300-level Global Justice and Society courses 9.0
Any other Global Justice and Society course3.0
Total Credits18.0

Global Justice & Society Courses

CJ/PO313Constitutional Law3.0
CJ351Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3.0
CJ353Victimology3.0
CJ/PO355Political Crimes & Terrorism3.0
CJ365International Human Rights Law3.0
CJ375Global Justice & Law3.0
CJ398Selected Topics in Criminal Justice (dependent on semester, and when designated as concentration course by dept. chair)3.0
CJ410Independent Research in Criminal Justice (dependent on research topic; dept. chair approval required)1.0
SO304Globalization & Sustainability3.0
PO211American National Government3.0
PO233Modern Political Thought3.0
PO350Comparative Politics3.0
SW253Human Rights & Social Justice3.0


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 System3.0
CJ210Introduction to Law Enforcement3.0
or CJ212 Introduction to Corrections
Any two 300-level Law Enforcement and Corrections courses6.0
Any other two Law Enforcement and Corrections courses6.0
Total Credits18.0

Law Enforcement and Corrections Courses

CJ167Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice3.0
CJ210Introduction to Law Enforcement (if also taking CJ212 as a minor requirement)3.0
CJ231Juvenile Justice3.0
CJ301Cyber Security & GIS3.0
CJ302Cyber Crime3.0
CJ343Criminal Investigation3.0
CJ353Victimology3.0
CJ398Selected Topics in Criminal Justice (dependent on semester, and when designated as concentration course by dept. chair)3.0
CJ401Sex Crimes3.0
CJ410Independent Research in Criminal Justice (dependent on research topic; dept. chair approval required)1.0
IH335Integrative Stress Management & Health3.0
PO211American National Government3.0
PO221State & Local Government in America3.0
PS320Forensic Psychology3.0
PS321Criminal Profiling3.0


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 Crime3.0
SO101Principles of Sociology3.0
Electives12.0
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 Credits18.0
1

Prerequisites must be taken or permission granted, per catalog.




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

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