2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Crime and Justice Studies, BA


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Program Description:

Crime and Justice Studies (CJS) is an interdisciplinary program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The Crime and Justice Studies program is designed to develop knowledge of the criminal justice system, theories of criminal behavior, institutions formed to ensure public safety and enforce the law, and the law. Student core competencies will be developed and required in areas of (1) analytical and ethical decision making; (2) the use of technology; (3) methods of collecting and using data; and (4) communicating to diverse people and through diverse media. 

CJS Major/Military Science Concentration: This concentration is intended specifically for CJS majors who are interested in pursuing a commission in the military (i.e. Regular Army Officer, US Army Reserve Officer, or US National Guard). Students graduating with this concentration will have both a BA in Crime and Justice Studies and a Minor in Military Science. Graduates will be academically and physically prepared to join the military or seek employment within the criminal justice field (i.e. law enforcement, corrections, courts) outside of the military.  

Admissions Requirements:

Students admitted into the CJS program must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of *2.0 and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours including ENG 1100 with a grade of “C” or higher, plus two other General Education courses. Majors are required to complete five criminal justice core requirements, including an internship; seven courses across four criminal justice foundation areas (Behavior, Institutions and Practices, Law, and Ethics and Diversity), and three CJS electives.

CJS Major/Military Science Concentration:  Students admitted into the CJS/ MIL SC Concentration must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours including ENG 1100 with a grade of “C” or higher, plus two other General Education courses.  This concentration is open to students who have completed Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET), completed the requirements of Military Science 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020 with a grade of C or better or are a graduate of Basic Training or other service component basic initial training. Students taking the CJS Major/MIL SC Concentration are required to complete five criminal justice core requirements, including an internship; four courses across criminal justice foundation areas (Behavior, Institutions and Practices, and Ethics and Diversity), and 6 courses in the Military Science minor, which will count towards the remaining CJS hours.  

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to explain the specific structures, operations, and roles of key participants within the US criminal justice system, including, but not limited to police, courts, corrections, and law.

Graduates will demonstrate effective writing skills conveying their overall knowledge of the components, policies, and research methods within field of criminal justice.  

Graduates will develop/hone career skills through experiential learning, which will enable them to transition into a career in criminal justice or related field.

For More Information

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours


Element 1 - Communication: 6 Hours


Element 2 - Mathematics: 3 Hours


Element 3 - Global Traditions: 6 Hours


Element 4 - Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours


Element 5 - Social Sciences: 6 Hours


Element 6 - Natural Sciences: 8 Hours


Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours


Foundation Areas


Area 1. Behavior: 6 Hours

CJS majors take 2 courses or 6 hours from the list below (excluding MIL courses)

*Military Science Concentration within CJS: Choose only 1 course from the list below AND take MIL 3010/3011: Applied Team Leadership (and lab)

Area 2. Institutions & Practices: 6 Hours

CJS majors take 2 courses or 6 hours from the list below (excluding MIL courses)

*Military Science Concentration within CJS: Choose only 1 course from the list below AND take MIL 3020/22: Applied Team Leadership (and lab)

Area 3. Law: 3 Hours

CJS majors take 1 course or 3 hours from the list below (excluding MIL courses)

*Military Science Concentration within CJS: Take only MIL 4010/4011: Adaptive Leadership (and lab)

Area 4. Ethics & Diversity: 6 Hours

Both CJS majors and *Military Science Concentration within CJS take 2 courses or 6 hours from the list below

Advanced Criminal Justice Electives: 9 Hours

CJS majors take 3 courses or 9 hours from the list below (excluding MIL courses)    

*Military Science Concentration within CJSTake MIL 4020/22: Leadership in a Complex World (and lab) AND choose 1 course from each area:

1) History course: HST 3600 or HST 4550

2) Additional required course: Upper Division Foreign Language Course or PLS 4720 or PLS 4730 or *PHL 3110 or CLS 3700

*Military Science Concentration Students who take PHL 3110 for CJS Foundation Area 4: Ethics, cannot double count it here; they will need an additional course.

III. Related Requirements


IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours


Foreign Language: 12-16 Hours


Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language: Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

Methods of Inquiry


V. Electives: 15-19 Hours


Total: 120 Hours


Graduation Planning Strategy


The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

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