Students learn how a society maintains social control while protecting individual rights and how to apply the constitution to everyday life. Students discuss what causes criminal behavior, and what makes effective crime policy. They learn how to control, deter and punish crime and they understand the role of police, prosecutors, the courts, defense attorneys, juries, jails and prisons.
The major is divided into three components: a lower division 15-hour core that serves as a basis for the fundamentals of criminal justice and is consistent with IAI guidelines; an upper division 18-hour core requirement; and a six-hour criminal justice elective component. The major includes a capstone course designed to identify and analyze “real-life” issues facing criminal justice agencies, as well as techniques for developing and proposing solutions to constituents.
Grade of C- or higher required in all major courses.
