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B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice
45 hours

The degree provides an academic program for those students interested in learning about the institutions, laws, and public policies of local, national, and global governance. It encompasses a broad theoretical and substantive survey of governance institutions, laws, and public policies.

Students will be prepared for entry-level public service careers, law school, and many graduate programs in public policy, political science, public administration, and political management.

An OC graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice will:

  1. Identify ways in which oppression, privilege, discrimination, and social and economic disadvantage contribute to inequalities and injustices within criminal justice systems.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the origins of criminal behavior, society’s response to crime, and the consequences of crime to our society, utilizing multiple perspectives.
  3. Articulate ethical implications of decision-making in a professional capacity.
  4. Develop and demonstrate sufficient critical self-awareness to understand the influence of personal biases and values when interacting with diverse groups
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect and analyze data including basic introductory statistical concepts.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of selected case law and procedures outlined by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights for criminal procedure.
  7. Demonstrate and understanding of the adult and the juvenile justice systems as it relates to corrections and alternative corrections at various levels of government.
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of community policing as well as basic police procedures.

Student must complete a minimum of 126 hours including the major, core, and minor if required. Elective hours may be needed to reach 126 hours.

36 Hours foundation

  • CMSC-3633 Introduction to Cyber Security
  • CRMJ-1003 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CRMJ-2013 Theories of Criminal Behavior
  • CRMJ-2023 Policing in America
  • CRMJ-2033 American Correction
  • CRMJ-3013 Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice
  • CRMJ-3023 Criminal Justice Practicum
  • CRMJ-3033 Juvenile Justice
  • CRMJ-4013 Criminal Procedure
  • CRMJ-4023 Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • CRMJ-4033 Introduction to Criminal Investigation
  • PSYC-3913 Psychology of Crime

12 Hours foundation

  • COMM-3333 Team Communication and Leadership
  • CRMJ-2003 Deviance and Social Justice
  • CRMJ-3003 Comparative Justice Systems
  • CRMJ-4043 Family Policy
  • Or course approved by criminal justice faculty

3 Hours statistical analysis chosen from

  • POLS-2313 Research Skills in Political Science
  • SOCI-3113 Intro to Psychology Statistics

3 Hours criminal justice capstone

  • CRMJ-4003 Capstone: Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice