Roosevelt University
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Location: Chicago, Online
Start Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Program Type: Major, Minor, Includes Accelerated Master's Option

Courses in the Criminal Justice major cover contemporary issues facing decision makers in the American criminal justice system. Students learn how a society maintains social control while protecting individual rights, and how the Constitution applies to everyday life. The Criminal Justice major is divided into components that cover core courses and fundamental courses that are consistent with Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) guidelines. The capstone seminar course is designed for students to identify and analyze real-life issues facing criminal justice agencies, as well as techniques for developing and proposing solutions to constituents.

Criminal Justice majors in the College of Arts and Sciences can participate in a Criminal Justice, BA/MPA Public Administration Accelerated Program leading to a BA in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration degree. The program allows students to take three graduate-level courses as part of their undergraduate degrees. Once students are admitted to the MPA, the courses will apply toward completion of the MPA degree.

What Differentiates Us

A Commitment to Social Justice

A Commitment to Social Justice

Ours is the only criminal justice program in Chicagoland devoted to social justice. We offer transformative learning classes in which students work collaboratively with community organizations to achieve a common social justice goal. Students may mentor at-risk youth, design meaningful social activities and assist organizations in developing programs.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Roosevelt offers a dynamic study abroad program allowing students to spend one week abroad studying the justice system in another country.

Expectations & Requirements

Standards

  • Meaningful internships with local criminal justice agencies
  • Learn not only the nuts and bolts of criminal justice from professors with real-world experiences, but engage in higher order issues that impact policy and legislation

Minor Requirements

The criminal justice minor consists of 18 hours of classes. In addition to Introduction to Criminal Justice, the student must complete three 200-level courses and three 300-level courses. Many psychology majors find the criminal justice minor to be an excellent academic strategy.

Sample Courses

  • Criminology
  • Police and Society
  • Corrections
  • Serial and Mass Murder
  • Victimology
  • Death Penalty
  • Women and Crime
View Academic Catalog

Outcomes

Diverse Career Options
Graduates can expect to pursue careers in policing, homeland security, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, child and victim advocacy, security, and associated support agencies.
Preparation for Advanced Education
Roosevelt also provides a foundation for law school and continuing lifelong professional development as a policy-maker, and prepares you for advanced education in graduate school.
Grad Schools Attended
  • Criminal justice master's programs: Loyola University Chicago; Aurora University; University of Illinois-Chicago; University of Cincinnati; Western Illinois University; Seattle University; Northeastern University; Leiden University, Netherlands
  • Social work: University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Denver, University of Chicago, New Mexico State University
  • Counseling: Santa Clara University
  • Psychology: Adler University
  • Law Schools: DePaul University, University of Denver, John Marshall Law School, Loyola University Chicago

Testimonials

“Over the last four years I have had the privilege to be a part of Roosevelt’s Criminal Justice department and feel that my education has prepared me to meet the rigorous demands of graduate school. I have been accepted into Seattle University’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program and I look forward to what lies ahead of me after graduation."

Amanda Ferguson - Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice '16