Criminal Justice (Bachelor of Science, B.S.)
Our Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice prepares both entry-level and seasoned professionals in the theoretical foundations, knowledge, skills and practices of criminal justice administration inclusive of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. This program enables students to develop rational decisions and informed responses to the daily challenges of law enforcement, courts and corrections operations.
All students complete an applied learning requirement. In most cases students choose an internship.
Students wishing to file a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice may do so upon successful completion of CRJ 100 (Introduction to Criminal Justice) with a grade of C or higher. For transfer coursework to qualify, the transferred course must meet current articulation requirements or be approved by the Chairperson of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies.
Dependent on if the student meets the above criteria will determine if they can declare the major or if they will be placed in a pre-admission status (pre-major). The advisor will assist with the coordination of this process.
Students who choose this bachelor degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 42 | |
| Students must complete General Studies courses 1 | ||
| Major Requirements | 39 | |
| CRJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 110 | Introduction to Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 130 | Introduction to Policing | 3 |
| CRJ 190 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRJ 200 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CRJ 260 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRJ 300 | Criminal Justice Communications | 3 |
| CRJ 305 | Introduction to Theories of Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 325 | Understanding Research in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 410 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CRJ 450 | Independent Research/Project | 3 |
| or CRJ 465 | Internship | |
| CRJ 470 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| LAT 420 | Civil Rights Law | 3 |
| Complete any MWSU minor (except for the Criminal Justice Minor) | 18-24 | |
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Courses in general studies may also be required within the major. While the course(s) may satisfy both requirements, the credit hours will count only one time in the overall hours earned.
NOTE: Students must complete a Post test and a Contact Information form prior to graduation.
Program Graduation Requirements
- No more than 2 courses with a grade of D permitted in major.
- Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.
University Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 continuing education credit hours applicable).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses. Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.