2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2026-2027 Academic DRAFT Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Crime and Justice Studies, BA (CJS-BA)

CIP Code: 450401

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.

Lake Campus OPOTA Certification Concentration, Crime and Justice Studies BA:

This concentration is intended specifically for CJS majors who have completed LE 1100, 1110, 1120, and 1130 at Lake Campus and are OPOTA certified in Ohio (Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy). Students graduating with this concentration will have both a BA in Crime and Justice Studies and be OPOTA certified. Graduates will be academically prepared to seek employment within the law enforcement field or continue to graduate school.

Program Admissions Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Compare 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.
Write in ways that convey their overall knowledge of the components, policies, and research methods within the field of criminal justice.
Develop and continue to hone career skills through experiential learning, which will enable them to transition into a career in criminal justice or related fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

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.
Demonstrate effective writing skills conveying their overall knowledge of the components, policies, and research methods within the field of criminal justice.
Demonstrate career skills obtained through experiential learning, which will enable them to transition into a career in criminal justice or related fields.

Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Program

This program offers a combined-degree program with a master’s degree in Public Administration. A combined-degree program provides an opportunity for an undergraduate student to begin working toward a master’s degree in their senior year. This allows students to complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less combined time than it would take to complete them sequentially.

Students enrolled in a combined-degree program may “double count” a maximum of nine credit hours of graduate-level courses to satisfy both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree requirements. Students must earn at least 141 unique credit hours (any credits that “double-count” toward both degrees are counted only once toward the total number of unique hours) in the combined-degree program.

To participate in a combined-degree program, students must apply through the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies and meet all admission qualifications. Learn more about combined programs in Policy 5330.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100. Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course.

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Departmental Requirements: 45 Credit Hours

Crime and Justice Core: 15 Credit Hours

Discipline Overview Credits / Units: 3
SOC 2700 - Introduction to Criminal Justice in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 3710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
Internship Credits / Units: 3
SOC 3000 - Internship in Criminal Justice and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4821 - Pre-Law Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
Crime Essentials Credits / Units: 3
SOC 3700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 4700 - Explaining Crime Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
Legal Foundations Credits / Units: 3
PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods Credits / Units: 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
OR
COM 3490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)

Crime and Justice Foundation Areas: 21 Credit Hours

Area 1: Behavior: 6 Credit Hours

Select two courses

PLS 4350 - Seminar in Political Corruption Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2810 - Psychology of Incarceration Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4700 - Explaining Crime Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SOC 4710 - Victimology Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 2: Institutions and Practices: 6 Credit Hours

Select two courses

ATH 3110 - Forensic Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3220 - State Government Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 3410 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3440 - Police Procedures and Operations Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 3450 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4425 - Crime Scene Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4435 - Methods of Human Identification Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4450 - Advanced Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 2520 - Forensic Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3720 - Policing in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3730 - Sociology of the Courts, Law, and Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3740 - Penology and Corrections Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 3: Law: 3 Credit Hours

Select one course

PHL 4140 - Philosophy of Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3400 - Law and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4170 - Appellate Politics and Moot Court Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3730 - Sociology of the Courts, Law, and Justice Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 4: Ethics and Diversity: 6 Credit Hours

Select two courses

PHL 3110 - Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 3120 - History of Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PHL 3780 - Bioethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PLS 4180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PLS 4490 - Gender Violence and International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PLS 4520 - International Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
PSY 2110 - Human Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2420 - Psychology of Men and Women Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2510 - Stereotyping and Prejudice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
SOC 4610 - Gender and Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4650 - Global Sexualities and Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW) (IW)
SOC 4670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3

Advanced Crime and Justice Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Choose three courses (9 credit hours) from the list below:

PHL 3110 - Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3460 - Public Personnel Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4070 - Seminar in Political Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4160 - Sex and the Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4210 - American Constitutional Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4260 - Supreme Court in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4310 - Cyber Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4380 - Environmental Law and Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4390 - Bioethics and Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4410 - Natural Resources Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4460 - Public Budgeting Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4720 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4730 - American Foreign Policy Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4870 - Politics of Intelligence Gathering Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2830 - Chemical Dependency Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2910 - Drugs and Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3510 - Social Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4090 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
SOC 4310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4620 - Elite Crime Credit Hour(s): 3

Crime and Justice Studies, BA: Military Science Concentration

II. Departmental Requirements: 45 Credit Hours

Crime and Justice Core: 15 Credit Hours

Discipline Overview
PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 2700 - Introduction to Criminal Justice in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 3710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
Internship
PLS 4821 - Pre-Law Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 3000 - Internship in Criminal Justice and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
Crime Essentials
SOC 3700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 4700 - Explaining Crime Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
Legal Foundations
PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
COM 3490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)

Crime and Justice Foundation Areas: 21 Credit Hours

Area 4: Ethics and Diversity: 6 Credit Hours

Choose 2 of the following:

PHL 3110 - Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 3120 - History of Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PHL 3780 - Bioethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4490 - Gender Violence and International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4520 - International Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 2110 - Human Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2420 - Psychology of Men and Women Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2510 - Stereotyping and Prejudice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SOC 4610 - Gender and Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4650 - Global Sexualities and Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SOC 4670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3

Advanced Crime and Justice Electives: 9 Credit Hours

MIL 4020 - Leadership in a Complex World Credit Hour(s): 3
MIL 4022 - Leadership in Complex World Lab Credit Hour(s): 0

History Course: 3 Credit Hours

HST 3600 - Surveys of American History Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
HST 4550 - Studies in U.S. Foreign Relations Credit Hour(s): 3

Additional Required Course: 3 Credit Hours

Students may not double count PHL 3110 as an area 4 course and as an elective.

one upper division foreign language course
OR
CLS 3700 - Studies in Ancient Politics, Law and Warfare Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PHL 3110 - Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4720 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4730 - American Foreign Policy Credit Hour(s): 3

Crime and Justice Studies, BA: OPOTA Certification Concentration

II. Departmental Requirements: 45 Credit Hours

Crime and Justice Core: 9 Credit Hours

Discipline Overview – select one
PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SOC 3710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
Legal Foundations – select one
PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
Or
PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods – select one
COM 3490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
OR
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3

Ethics and Diversity: 6 Credit Hours

Choose two of the following:

PHL 3110 - Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 3120 - History of Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PHL 3780 - Bioethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4490 - Gender Violence and International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PLS 4520 - International Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
PSY 2110 - Human Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2420 - Psychology of Men and Women Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2510 - Stereotyping and Prejudice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SOC 4610 - Gender and Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4620 - Elite Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4650 - Global Sexualities and Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
SOC 4670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3

OPOTA Certification: 30 Credit Hours

LE 1100 - Police Academy 1 Credit Hour(s): 6
LE 1110 - Police Academy 2 Credit Hour(s): 9
LE 1120 - Police Academy 3 Credit Hour(s): 9
LE 1130 - Police Academy 4 Credit Hour(s): 6

III. College Requirements 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one foreign language:

American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or other foreign language.

*Note: all language classes above are 3 credit hours each, except for the ASL classes which are 4 credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods. Student will select one of the courses below:
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 17-21 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.