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 crime 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

At this time, there is a high demand for professionals who can respond effectively to issues of crime and justice. Our intent is to provide our students with a challenging and exciting course of study that will help our graduates become the best in their fields. 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 crime and justice and/or (2) graduate studies in a criminal justice or criminal justice-related field. The following is a list of our current Undergraduate Program Learning Goals.

•  Describe the development and functions of major criminal justice institutions (e.g., police, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice), the activities of actors within these institutions, and how they relate to one another as well as the broader social, political, and economic world.
•  Describe the mechanisms, correlates, theoretical underpinnings, and situational contexts of crime, criminal behavior and opportunity, and techniques for prevention and treatment.
•  Apply and analyze theories related to the policies and practices of the criminal justice system and its major institutions.
•  Demonstrate the ability to gather, explain, and apply empirical research in the field of criminal justice.
•  Obtain a comprehensive knowledge about the process of conducting criminal justice research, and develop the skills to conduct criminal justice research with appropriate methodologies.
  

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 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. https://rscj.newark.rutgers.edu/