Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice

Graduates of the Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice program will have an understanding of the causes and contexts of crime and the interrelated challenges faced and caused by criminal justice systems. In a rich multidisciplinary social sciences framework, students will acquire and learn to apply their knowledge to deal with ‘real world’ issues in preparation for: (1) employment in government and community-based organizations that deal with issues of public safety and justice and/or (2) graduate studies in a criminal justice or criminal justice related field. 

• Undergraduate Learning Goals
• Degree Requirements
• Major Requirements
• Minor Requirements
• Double Major Requirements
• Graduation Requirements
• Steps to Graduation

UNDERGRADUATE LEARNING GOALS

1. Substantive Knowledge. Students will develop a broad-based understanding of theory and empirical evidence related to crime, crime prevention, and social justice as well as knowledge of the agencies and organizations that deal with issues of crime and justice. Students will become familiar with current policies and practices related to the most pressing issues impacting individuals, families, and communities affected by crime.
2. Critical Thinking. Critical consideration of a large and diverse body of knowledge, and the ability to gather relevant new information, and weigh alternative explanations is an essential ability for students who wish to make informed judgments and make significant contributions to solutions to today’s most pressing justice-related issues.
3. Effective Communication. Students will learn to write for both professional and academic audiences, understanding how to craft effective literature reviews, research summaries, and policy briefs. Students will develop public speaking skills in order to become comfortable presenting their work in public forums. They will also learn to work in a team environment with classmates, as well as organizations external to the school to develop effective cooperative communications skills essential to success in almost every organization.
4. Research Skills. Students will develop facility with methodological and analytic techniques, both quantitative and qualitative, to systematically study problems of crime and justice. Students will be competent consumers of research and also be able to design and conduct basic empirical research studies.
5. Cultural Literacy. Students will develop an understanding of, be able to communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. They will be able to incorporate cultural dynamics in their thinking about solutions to crime, crime prevention, and social justice issues.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from the School of Criminal Justice students must complete the following four requirements:

1. Successful completion of 120 academic credits
2. Successful completion of the Core Curriculum
3. Successful completion of the criminal justice major requirements and at least one Second Concentration
4. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete 42 credits for the major:*

• 12 credits of required courses: Criminology (202:102), Introduction to Criminal Justice (202:103), Criminal Justice Research Methods (202:301), Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (202:302)
• 3-credit criminal justice (CJ) writing-intensive course
• 27 credits of criminal justice or justice study electives (Braven Accelerator counts as an elective, see Braven for details)

If you entered the CJ program prior to fall 2014, please refer to the appropriate catalog or contact the School of Criminal Justice for a complete list of degree requirements. Students may also refer to Degree Navigator for a list of program requirements.

*Note, only grades of C or better will be counted toward the major; effective September 1, 2018.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS

The minor in criminal justice has been designed to ground students in the basics of criminology and criminal justice. 18 credits are required for the completion of the minor.

*It is required that CJ minors complete courses 47:202:102 Criminology and 47:202:103 Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Read more about the Minor here.

DOUBLE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Students often wish to complete a double major and are unsure how this affects course selection. There are three minimal requirements to graduate from Rutgers NCAS/UC‐N and The School of Criminal Justice with a Baccalaureate degree: 1) satisfactory completion of all college core curriculum requirements; 2) satisfactory completion of the requirements of both majors; and 3) completion of at least 120 credits with a minimum grade point average of a 2.0.

Any student planning a double major should consult with an NCAS or UC –N counselor, as well as an academic advisor in each of the two departments.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from the School of Criminal Justice, all undergraduate students must complete the following requirements:

• Successful completion of 120 degree credits
• Successful completion of the college’s core curriculum
• Successful completion of one of the major programs of study
• Successful completion of a second concentration
• Successful completion of the writing intensive requirement
• Successfully earning a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better

STEPS TO GRADUATION

1. Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor before registering for your final semester.
2. Meet with your faculty advisor in your major and second concentration before registering for your final semester.
3. Apply for graduation via GradTracker.
4. Students will be notified via e-mail with details pertaining to graduation, salute week activities and commencement.  Information will also be posted on the school’s website.