General Requirements: 

1. Hold at minimum, a standard high school diploma or equivalent; and 
2. Complete the application process, including signing an enrollment agreement. 

  Required Documents: 

• Official high school transcript or high school Equivalency test scores. 

• Color copy of valid government issued ID (i.e. driver’s license, ID card, passport, etc.) 

*Official college transcripts are not required but can be submitted if applicable for the purpose of advising. 

*Test scores are not required for admission but may be considered during advising. 

1. The student will master the foundational theories and principles of criminal justice, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of criminological theories, criminal law, and ethical considerations in criminal justice.
2. The student will analyze complex criminal justice issues using interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate law, sociology, psychology, and forensic science, and critically examine these issues through a multidisciplinary lens. 
3. The student will apply practical skills in law enforcement, investigative techniques, corrections, and courtroom procedures, demonstrating proficiency in various criminal justice settings.
4. The student will communicate effectively in a variety of formats appropriate to the criminal justice field, including written reports, oral presentations, and digital media, showing the ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally. 
5. The student will evaluate the impact of social, economic, and political factors on criminal behavior and criminal justice responses, assessing how broader societal issues influence crime rates and system responses. 
6. The student will engage in ethical reasoning and reflect on personal ethics in relation to professional practices in criminal justice, applying ethical principles in decision-making scenarios. 

Required Lower Division Coursework 

Students must earn 60 credit hours at the lower level between general education requirements (36 cr.) and elective course requirements (24 cr.). All courses are worth three (3) credit hours unless otherwise specified. 

Courses listed with a plus sign (+) require a grade of “C” or higher. 

The courses where special writing requirements (Gordon Rule) apply are noted with (WR). For more information, see Special Mathematics and Writing Requirements. 

General Education Requirements (36 Cr.) 

English/Communication: minimum 6 credit hours 
Take the following two (2) English courses: 

• ENC 1101: English Composition I + (WR) 

• ENC 1102: English Composition II + (WR) 

Mathematics: minimum 6 credit hours 

Take one (1) of the following Math courses: 

• MAC 1105 College Algebra + 

• MGF 1130 Mathematical Thinking + 

• MAC 2311 Calculus I (4) + 

• STA 2023 Statistics + 

Take another course from above or one (1) of the following: 

• MAC 1114 Trigonometry + 

• MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra + 

• MAC 2233 Business Calculus 

• MAC 2312 Calculus II (5) + 

• MAC 2313 Calculus III (4) + 

• MAS 2103 Linear Algebra + 

• MGF 1131 Mathematics in Context + 

Science: minimum 6 credit hours 
Take at least one (1) of the following science courses: 

• BSC 1005C: Introduction to General Biology and Lab (4 cr.) 

• BSC 2010C: Principles of Biology I and Lab (4 cr.) 

• BSC 2085C: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 cr.) 

• CHM 1020C: Chemistry for Liberal Studies and Lab (4 cr.) 

• CHM 1045C: General Chemistry I and Lab (4 cr.) 

• EVR 1001: Introduction to Environmental Science 

• OCE 1001: Introduction for Oceanography 

• PHY 1020C: Fundamentals of Physics and Lab (4 cr.) 

Take another course from above or one (1) of the following:  

• BSC 2011C: Principles of Biology II and Lab (4 cr.) 

• BSC 2085C: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 cr.) 

• CHM 1046C: General Chemistry II and Lab (4 cr.) 

Social Science: minimum 6 credit hours 

Take one (1) of the following courses: 

• ANT 2000 Introduction to Anthropology 

• ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics 

• POS 1041 American Government 

• PSY 2012 Introduction to Psychology 

Take another course from above or one (1) of the following courses: 

• ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics 

• SYG 1000 Principles of Sociology 

History: minimum 6 credit hours 
Take at least one (1) of the following history courses: 

• AMH 2010: United States History to 1877 + (WR) 

• AMH 2020: United States History from 1877 +(WR) 

Take another course from above or one (1) of the following:  

• EUH 1000: Early European History + (WR) 

• EUH 1001: Early European History + (WR) 

 
Humanities: minimum 6 credit hours 
Take at least one of the following: 

• HUM 1020: Introduction to Humanities + (WR) 

• LIT 2000: Introduction to Literature + (WR) 

• MUL 1010: Music Appreciation + (WR) 

• PHI 2010: Introduction to Philosophy + (WR) 

Take another course from above or one (1) of the following:  

• REL 2300: Introduction to World Religions + (WR) 

Elective Requirements (24 Cr.) 

A minimum of 24 elective credit hours must be taken to include as many as possible of the Criminal Justice program recommended electives. Remaining credit hours may be taken from additional lower division electives listed in the College Catalog & Student Handbook. 

Recommended Electives: 
The following options are recommended for Criminal Justice students. Additional options are available within the catalog of lower division electives: 

• CLP 2140: Abnormal Psychology 

• SPC 1608: Public Speaking  

• PHI 2600: Ethics  

• CCJ 1010: Introduction to Criminology 

• CCJ 1020: Introduction to Criminal Justice 

• CJC 1000: Introduction to Corrections  

• CJL 1062: Introduction to Constitutional Law 

• CJL 1100: Criminal Law  

Required Upper Division Coursework 

Students must earn 60 credit hours as follows below. All courses are worth three (3) credit hours unless otherwise specified. 

• CCJ 3032: Crime and the Media 

• CCJ 4694: Human Trafficking 

• CCJ 4700: Research Methods in Criminal Justice  

• CCJ 4453: Criminal Justice Administration 

• CJE 3444: Crime Prevention  

• CCJ 3667: Victims and the Criminal Justice System 

• DSC 4012: Terrorism and Homeland Security 

• DSC 3079: Foundations of Public Safety Management 

• CCJ 3014: Crime in America 

• CCJ 3651: Drugs and Crime 

• CCJ 4054: Criminal Justice Ethics and Liability 

• CCJ 4644: White Collar Crime 

• CJL 4133: Criminal Evidence and Procedures 

• CJL 4064: Individual Rights and the Criminal Justice System 

• CJE 4668: Computer Crime 

• CCJ 464: Organized Crime  

• CCJ 4361: Death Penalty 

• CCJ 4505: Juvenile Delinquency 

• CCJ 3628: Homicide 

• CCJ 4225: The Courts and Forensic Science 

Once you're ready to apply to our BSCJ program, do so here.

When applying to the BSCJ program: 

• Please allow approximately 20 minutes to complete the application. 

• Please have your ID and required documents, including transcripts, ready beforehand. 

Our BSCJ program launches Fall 2026 and we are currently accepting applications now!