DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LEGAL STUDIES
The CJ/LS curriculum is designed to prepare the student planning to enter the field of criminal justice or legal studies by presenting a broad-based study of the many topics and principles essential to an understanding of the criminal justice and legal systems. The CJ/LS curriculum is also designed to prepare the student who is employed in one of the numerous criminal justice or legal organizations for promotion or career advancement. The curriculum seeks to encourage the integration of Christian ethical and moral perspectives with the more common value systems associated with the criminal justice/legal systems.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies offers the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Criminalistics, Associate of Science in Legal Studies, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, and Master of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. Day, night and weekend courses are offered at the freshman and sophomore levels and a one-year program is offered to complete the junior and senior level requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Refer to the curriculum listed as Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BCJ) for additional information.
To receive the B.S. degree in Criminal Justice, a student must demonstrate competency by successfully completing the Directed Study (CJ 4350) and Special Issues in Criminal Justice (CJ 4305) with a grade of C or better during the senior year. The Directed Study requires a student to conduct academically-sound research on a selected topic, prepare a 25-page research paper, and make an oral presentation of their major findings. Special Issues in Criminal Justice is a comprehensive overview of the CJ curriculum with a comprehensive final exam that requires a student to demonstrate an understanding of the major Criminal Justice concepts, methods and principles.
To receive the A.S. or B.S. degree in Legal Studies, a student must demonstrate competency by successfully completing a comprehensive final exam and the Paralegal Portfolio (LS 2190 / 4190) with a grade of C or better during his or her senior year.
With the exception of the BCJ program, a student may receive a minor in CJ by completing 18 semester hours of criminal justice courses. The specific courses will be determined by the Criminal Justice academic advisor based on the career path identified by the student. At least 12 semester hours must be junior and senior level courses.
Students enrolled in the Great Books Honors College that have completed GB I-IV may fulfill your contract obligation by selecting any two upper level courses within your major area with agreement from select professor(s) and the honors college. Please consult the Great Books section of the catalog for complete details.