Criminal Justice, Investigative Services 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 Investigative Services (48 credits)

Students earning the B.S. degree in criminal justice with a concentration in investigative services develop an enhanced scientific knowledge that allows them to be successful in investigative positions at various local and federal agencies, as well as in the private sector. The curriculum emphasizes law enforcement, evidence, and forensic science. 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 2218 - Criminal Procedure II and Evidence
• CJST 4420 - Advanced Investigative Techniques
• FORS 2215 - Introduction to Forensic Science
• FORS 4415 - Crime Scene Investigation
• Plus eleven free electives

Pathways: B.S. Criminal Justice - Investigative Services/M.S. Forensic Technology

This pathways degree program is available to current students (those who were accepted to the University prior to fall 2020) and creates a pathway between an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice with a graduate degree in Forensic Technology. 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 master various forms of forensic field technology to allow them to apply on-the-spot forensic capabilities in the field. Students will build upon their solid undergraduate interdisciplinary program where they will gain an acute understanding of crime-solving and public safety issues to navigate the intricate fields of criminal justice with a combination of traditional crime scene techniques and cutting-edge technology to bring the student into the future of crime scene and death investigations.  

This combined degree program is available to qualified criminal justice/investigative services upper-level students. Three graduate-level courses (FORS 6613, FORS 6616, and FORS 6661) that are taken during the senior year replace three undergraduate courses in the BS program in Criminal Justice/Investigative Services and count toward the MS program in Forensic Technology. During the fifth year, students complete the MS degree by taking ten more FORS graduate-level courses.

To qualify, students must apply for admission through Graduate Admissions during the second semester of their junior year, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of application to the 4+1 program, and submit a letter of recommendation from their academic advisor. A minimum grade of B is required in each of the three overlapping graduate courses for the student to apply to both programs.

Direct Entry B.S. Criminal Justice - Investigative Services/M.S. Forensic Technology

This degree program creates a pathway between an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice with a graduate degree in Forensic Technology. 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 master various forms of forensic field technology to allow them to apply on-the-spot forensic capabilities in the field. Students will build upon their solid undergraduate interdisciplinary program where they will gain an acute understanding of crime-solving and public safety issues to navigate the intricate fields of criminal justice with a combination of traditional crime scene techniques and cutting-edge technology to bring the student into the future of crime scene and death investigations.  

This combined degree program is available to qualified criminal justice/investigative services upper-level students. Three graduate-level courses (FORS 6613, FORS 6616, and FORS 6661) that are taken during the senior year replace three undergraduate courses in the BS program in Criminal Justice/Investigative Services and count toward the MS program in Forensic Technology. During the fifth year, students complete the MS degree by taking ten more FORS 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 three overlapping graduate courses for the student to apply to both programs.

Direct Entry B.S. Criminal Justice - Investigative Services / 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 law enforcement, evidence, and forensic science. The students will be equipped to serve in leadership roles with a wide variety of law enforcement agencies, as well as with private companies providing investigative and security services.

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 - Investigative Services / 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.