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.
Students can tailor a degree to their own interests and career goals with two concentrations to choose from: Legal Studies or General.
The Legal Studies concentration offers criminal justice students the opportunity to explore the various roles, functions and responsibilities of the numerous civilian positions in the American legal system. You’ll come away an understanding of the history, principles, and purpose of legal institutions and their operation.
All students complete an applied learning requirement. In most cases students choose an internship and a senior capstone course. Students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in this or any discipline may also choose to apply for admission into law school, which is a very competitive process based primarily on grades and scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney.
- Demonstrate appropriate paralegal skill development and professionalism through practical experiences.
- Demonstrate an understanding of their ethical responsibilities in the legal profession.
- Articulate the paralegal’s role in the delivery of legal services to the public.
- Write clearly and think analytically.
- Read, analyze, and synthesize complex information in an organized and logical manner.
- Utilize technology necessary to meet employer needs.
- Manage multiple projects and tasks.
Students wishing to file a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice may do so upon successful completion of both CRJ 100 (Introduction to Criminal Justice) and LAT 101 (Introduction to Law) with a grade of C or higher in each course. 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 | ||
| Core Requirements | 27 | |
| CRJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 110 | Introduction to Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 190 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRJ 260 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRJ 305 | Introduction to Theories of Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 325 | Understanding Research in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 410 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| LAT 101 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| LAT 335 | Interpersonal Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| Select one of the following concentrations: | ||
| General | 33 | |
| Legal Studies | 36 | |
Concentrations:
General
Legal Studies
General Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Learning Track | ||
| CRJ 465 | Internship | 3 |
| CRJ 470 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| CRJ 130 | Introduction to Policing | 3 |
| CRJ 200 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CRJ 300 | Criminal Justice Communications | 3 |
| CRJ 460 | Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership | 3 |
| LAT 420 | Civil Rights Law | 3 |
| Twelve credit hours of restricted electives from the following (or choice of a second major, minor, or approved certificate): | 12 | |
Any CRJ, LAT, or POL undergraduate course not already used in the Core or Concentration | ||
Any CRJ course numbered 500-599 1 | ||
| Psychology of Communication | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Mental Health and Social Work | ||
| Substance Use and Disorders | ||
| Death And Dying | ||
| Family and Child Welfare | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Students desiring to take 500 level courses to satisfy the criminalistics elective must meet the criteria required for undergraduates to enroll in graduate level courses.
Legal Studies Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Learning Track | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6 | |
| Track 1 | ||
| Practicum I | ||
or CRJ 465 | Internship | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| OR | ||
| Track 2 | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice | ||
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| LAT 115 | Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LAT 220 | Legal Research | 3 |
| LAT 225 | Litigation | 3 |
| LAT 250 | Legal Computer Applications | 3 |
| LAT 310 | Legal Drafting | 3 |
| LAT 400 | Advanced Legal Research | 3 |
| Twelve creidt hours of restricted elecitves from the following (or choice of a second major, minor or approved certificate): | 12 | |
Any CRJ, LAT, or POL undergraduate course not already used in the Core or Concentration | ||
Any CRJ course numbered 500-599 1 | ||
| Business Law I | ||
| Business Law II | ||
| Psychology of Communication | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Mental Health and Social Work | ||
| Substance Use and Disorders | ||
| Death And Dying | ||
| Family and Child Welfare | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Students desiring to take 500 level courses to satisfy the criminalistics elective must meet the criteria required for undergraduates to enroll in graduate level courses.
NOTE: Students must complete a Pre-Post test and a Contact Information form prior to graduation. Per ABA program approval guidelines, students with a concentration in legal studies must also complete an exit interview with the Legal Studies Program Director.
Program Graduation Requirements
- No more than 2 courses with a grade of D permitted in major and concentration coursework.
- 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 CED 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.