Criminal Justice, Police Science Concentration, B.S.

B.S., Criminal Justice

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge of theory, methods, and empirical findings related to issues of police, correction, and courts.
2. Analyze a substantial body of literature related to police, corrections, or courts.
3. Communicate criminal justice concepts orally and in writing.
4. Evaluate ethical and moral issues in a professional/disciplinary setting.

Concentration in Police Science (48 credits)

Students earning the B.S. degree in criminal justice with a concentration in police science focus on the roles, activities, and behaviors of people with regard to maintaining law and order, providing needed services, protecting life and property, and planning and research. The students must complete the University Core Curriculum, the common courses for criminal justice majors listed above, and the following:

• CJST 2201 - Principles of Criminal Investigation
• CJST 2208 - Introduction to Policing
• CJST 3308 - Community Policing and Crime Reduction

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• CJST 3312 - Police and Crime Control

• or

• CJST 4402 - Police in Society

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• CJST 4557 - Crime Mapping and Analysis
• Plus eleven free electives

Direct Entry B.S. Criminal Justice - Police Science / M.S. Criminal Justice

This degree program seamlessly integrates an undergraduate and graduate degree in Criminal Justice, with an opportunity to attain the Master's Degree within 5 years of starting the Bachelor's degree. Students who are accepted into this program will master the skills and scientific knowledge related to the roles, activities, and behaviors of people involved in maintaining law and order, providing needed services, protecting life and property, and planning and research. The students will be equipped to serve in leadership roles with law enforcement agencies, both federal and local.

This combined degree program is available to qualified criminal justice/investigative services upper-level students as well. Two graduate-level courses (CJST 6605 instead of CJST 3311 and an approved CJST 6000-level elective instead of an undergraduate elective) can be taken during the junior or senior year. During the fifth year, students complete the MS degree by taking nine more CJST graduate-level courses (CJST 6610 is waived) and successfully passing a comprehensive exam. An alternative thesis track is available as well.

To qualify, students must apply for admission no later than two semesters prior to the anticipated fulfillment of the BS degree requirements, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of application to the 4+1 program, and submit one letter of recommendation by a criminal justice faculty member. A minimum grade of B is required in each of the two overlapping graduate courses.
 

Direct Entry B.S. Criminal Justice - Police Science / M.P.A. Public Administration

This degree program creates a pathway between an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice with a graduate degree in Public Administration. Students will have the opportunity to attain a Master's Degree within 5 years of starting their undergraduate degree. Students who are accepted into this program will learn the skills necessary to effectively operate public and nonprofit organizations, which are critical for assuming leadership roles in public and nonprofit organizations. Students will complete coursework in the areas of public management, budgeting, and policy as part of their core and will have the opportunity to choose among several concentrations for their electives, including public safety, fire and emergency medical services, nonprofit management, and municipal management.  

This combined degree program is available to qualified criminal justice upper-level students from any concentration. Two graduate-level courses (PADM 6601 and PADM 6602) that are taken during the senior year replace two undergraduate courses in the BS program in Criminal Justice and count toward the MPA degree. During the fifth year, students complete their MPA degree by taking ten more PADM graduate-level courses.

To qualify, students must apply for admission no later than two semesters prior to the anticipated fulfillment of the BS degree requirements, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of application to the 4+1 program (upon completion of 90 credits toward the BS degree), and submit one letter of recommendation by a criminal justice faculty member. A minimum grade of B is required in each of the two overlapping graduate courses for the student to apply to both programs.