Bachelor of Science Degree Program

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs recognizes the complex problems facing our society, such as community and police relations, urban crime, and correctional facilities problems. Through the bachelor of science degree program the school develops its students' problem-solving abilities and organizational skills so that they may contribute possible solutions to these and other problems.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree is excellent preparation for a career in corrections, law enforcement, or probation. Students could also continue their education by studying public affairs, law, social work, and other social sciences.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice requires 120 credit hours.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The program includes four main areas:

General Education
General Electives
Public Affairs and Policy
Criminal Justice Concentration

General Education Requirements

Communication
(Three courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours)

The following course is required:
ENG W131 Elementary Composition (3 cr.) (C or higher)

One of the following:
BUS C204 Business Communications (3 cr.)
ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)

One of the following speech courses:
SPCH S121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)
SPCH S122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)

Quantitative Methods
(Three courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours)

One of the following mathematics courses:
MATH A118 Finite Mathematics for Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 cr.)
MATH M118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
MATH M119 Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.)

The following statistics sequence is required:
SOC S250 Methods and Statistics I (3 cr.) and
  SOC S251 Methods and Statistics II (3 cr.)

This sequence satisfies the computer competency requirement.

Arts and Humanities
(Five courses for a minimum of 15 credit hours)

Three of the following courses:
HIST H105 American History I (3 cr.)
HIST H106 American History II (3 cr.)
POLS Y304 American Constitutional Law I (3 cr.)
POLS Y305 American Constitutional Law II (3 cr.)

Two courses selected from the following subject areas that are not used to satisfy other degree requirements:
Communication and Theatre
Comparative Literature
English
Fine Arts
Foreign Language
History
Music
Philosophy
Religious Studies

Natural Sciences
Two courses for a minimum of 8 credit hours from the following subject areas. Must include one laboratory course.

Astronomy
Biology
Botany
Chemistry
Geology
Physical Geography
Physics
Zoology

Social and Behavioral Sciences
(Five courses for a minimum of 15 credit hours)

Four of the following courses:
PSY P101 Introduction Psychology (3 cr.)
PSY P324 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
SOC S163 Social Problems (3 cr.)
SOC S325 Criminology (3 cr.)
SOC S328 Juvenile Delinquency (3 cr.)
Or other approved courses in consultation with an advisor.

One course selected from the following subject areas not used to satisfy another degree requirement:
Anthropology
Economics
Political Science

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General Electives

Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and concentration requirements are needed to complete the Bachelor of Science degree requirement of 120 credit hours.

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Public Affairs and Policy Core

(Four courses for a minimum of 12 credit hours)

The following courses:
SPEA E272 Introduction to Environmental Science (3 cr.)
SPEA V170 Introduction to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V263 Public Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V264 Urban Structure and Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA V348 Management Science (3 cr.)
SPEA V372 Government Finance and Budget (3 cr.)
SPEA V376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)

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Criminal Justice Concentration

(Eleven courses for a minimum of 33 credit hours)

The following eight courses:
SPEA J101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.) Note: This is a required course and prerequisite for all other criminal justice courses.
SPEA J201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.)
SPEA J301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.) or
  SPEA J401 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 cr.)
SPEA J306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
SPEA J321 American Policing (3 cr.)
SPEA J331 Corrections (3 cr.)
SPEA J439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.)

Three additional criminal justice courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.

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