UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Criminal Justice

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in criminal justice.

Major in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice major focuses on the nature of crime and the institutions and processes that prevent and respond to crime in a democratic society. The curriculum covers the study of crime and criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, corrections, security, and investigative forensics. The criminal justice major is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and justice.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in criminal justice will be able to:

  • Describe the history and development of criminal justice organizations and the worldwide diversity of the rule of law in various countries.
  • Analyze the operations, policies, and procedures within the criminal justice system.
  • Recognize trends in crime and criminal behavior and methods of prevention and treatment.
  • Explain the role of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) in the administration of justice in the United States and other countries.
  • Analyze the theories related to deviance and critique the effectiveness of their practical application to behavioral change.
  • Demonstrate a cohesive base of skills, techniques, and principles related to the practice of criminal justice.
  • Identify and compare international and cross-cultural approaches to crime and prevention.
  • Demonstrate the ability to access, interpret, and apply criminal justice research findings.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in criminal justice requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upperlevel courses (numbered 300 or above).

Criminal Justice Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in criminal justice includes the following:

  • Required foundation course (3 credits): CCJS 100 or 105
  • Required statistics course (3 credits): STAT 200
  • Core courses (15 credits): CCJS 230 (or 234), 340 (or 320), 350 (or 461), 345 (or 430), and 497 (or 432)
  • Supplemental major courses (9 credits, 3 of which must be upper level): Any CCJS courses or HMLS 495

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in criminal justice. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course
  • ‡ CCJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) or CCJS 105 Introduction to Criminology

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology 1 or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • ‡ CCJS 230 Criminal Law in Action (3) or CCJS 234 Criminal Procedure and Evidence
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • ‡ STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) (recommended elective)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • ‡ CCJS 340 Law-Enforcement Administration (3) or CCJS 320 Introduction to Criminalistics
  • ‡ CCJS 350 Juvenile Delinquency (3) or CCJS 461 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
  • ‡ CCJS 497 Correctional Administration (3) or CCJS 432 Law of Corrections
  • WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
  • ‡ CCJS 345 Introduction to Security Management (3) or CCJS 430 Legal and Ethical Issues in Security Management
  • ‡ Any CCJS course (3) (supplemental major course)
  • ‡ CCJS 486A Internship in Criminal Justice Through Co-op (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ HMLS 495 Public Safety Policies and Leadership (3) or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (43) (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Electives

Total credits for BS in criminal justice: 120