The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree offers an option for a 4-year degree that encompasses all aspects of the criminal justice system including:
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Court systems
- Victim and offender social issues
Students graduating from the CJ concentration find employment with local and state policing agencies, jails and prisons, local and state court systems, victim’s advocacy offices, and counseling and rehabilitation facilities.
Did you know that we also offer a fully online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice?
Degree Requirements
The curriculum includes 28 credit hours of required courses and 18 hours of elective courses. In addition to the WSU General Education requirements, it is strongly recommended that you declare a minor of your choice so that you can easily complete the 120 total credit hours and 40 hours of upper division credit hours (courses numbered 3000 or higher) required for a Bachelor's degree. All CJ students are encouraged to meet with a CJ faculty advisor annually for course and program advisement. If you have any incomplete general education requirements, or have not declared a major in CJ AND completed CJ 1010, you should schedule an appointment with one of the CSBS Academic Advisors.
Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or better in all courses is required for this major in addition to an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Program Requirements: Students obtaining a major in criminal justice are required to complete 46 credit hours in courses with a CJ prefix.
PDF version of program requirements
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Required Core Courses (28 credit hours)
Note: CJ 1010 is a prerequisite for all upper division core courses.
- CJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
- CJ 1300 - Corrections: History, Theory and Practice (3)
- CJ 1330 - Criminal Law and Courts (3)
- CJ 2300 - Policing: History, Theory and Practice (3)
- CJ 3270 - Theories of Crime and Delinquency (3)
- CJ 3300 - Victimology (3)
- CJ 3610 - CJ Research Methods (3)
- CJ 4165 - Constitutional Rights (3)
- Note: Prerequisite - CJ 1330
- CJ 4200 - Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (3)
- CJ 4995 - CJ Senior Assessment (1)
- Note: Must have completed ALL core courses and have senior standing OR obtain Department Chair approval
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Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
In addition to 28 credit hours of core courses, students are required to complete an additional 18 credit hours of criminal justice courses offered at WSU with CJ prefixes or other courses approved by the Department Chair. Consider taking at least four upper division CJ elective courses (courses numbered 3000 or higher) and select a minor program from another discipline.
Criminal Justice Course Offerings (not necessarily a comprehensive list)
- CJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation
- CJ 1350 - Introduction to Forensic Science
- CJ 2330 - Juvenile Justice
- CJ 2340 - Crime Scene Investigation
- CJ 2350 - Laws of Evidence
- CJ 2360 - Juvenile Law and Procedure
- CJ 2400 - Criminal Court Process
- CJ 3020 - Criminal Justice Management
- CJ 3040 - Community Policing
- CJ 3060 - Corrections in the Community
- CJ 3350 - The American Jail
- CJ 3360 - Prisons: Contemporary Issues and Dilemmas
- CJ 3370 - Death Penalty
- CJ 3400 - Drugs and Crime
- CJ 3700 - Women and Criminal Justice
- CJ 3800 - White Collar Crime
- CJ 3900 - Intelligence and National Security
- CJ 4000 - Critical Legal Studies
- CJ 4065 - Law and Society
- CJ 4167 - State Criminal Justice Rights
- CJ 4300 -History of Law Enforcement
- CJ 4400 - Sex Crimes
- CJ 4700 - International Criminal Justice
- CJ 4710 - Race, Crime and Justice
- CJ 4810 - Experimental Course (Taught as various topics. Look for specific course title in class schedule)
- CJ 4830 - Directed Readings and Special Projects (Requires faculty mentor and approval from CJ department chair)
- CJ 4860 - Criminal Justice Internship (For more information, visit the CJ Internship website)
- CJ 4900 - Current Issues in Criminal Justice (Taught as various topics. Look for specific course title in class schedule)
- CJ 4920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs
- CJ 4950 - Field Trips/Travel Study