Criminal Justice, B.S.

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The Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare individuals academically in the behavioral, natural and social science perspectives, as well as for further study in graduate or professional schools in any of these fields. The program provides intensive study in areas of criminal justice theory, research methodology and data analysis, criminal law, organizational functioning, and program planning. The program strives to promote understanding of key criminal and legal issues of contemporary urban society and respect for racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity. By incorporating a multidisciplinary social, behavioral and natural science approach to undergraduate study, the program provides two important benefits for the student. First, it encourages the development of an interrelated perspective with regard to the study of criminal justice. This perspective facilitates a more comprehensive focus on the connections among the endeavors of crime prevention, law enforcement, adjudication, and punishment. Secondly, the program is designed to encourage the development of effective analytical and problem-solving skills that will equip professionals with the intellectual capacity necessary for a variety of positions in criminal justice.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is 120 units, of which 66 units are in the major. Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including GE and free electives.

Limitations on Transfer Credit

Students intending to transfer to Cal State L.A. from a community college to continue work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice are advised to complete general education requirements and any lower division core courses equivalent to those in the Cal State L.A. curriculum prior to transferring. Students are advised to contact the school for information on transfer agreements between Cal State L.A. and specific community colleges.

Criteria for Admission to the Major

The School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics has been approved an impacted program. The number of applicants who can be admitted to the major is limited by space availability. Admission of students for available space will be based on a rank ordering of cumulative GPA. Incoming freshman students wishing to major in Criminal Justice will be admitted as “Undeclared with and Interest in Criminal Justice.” Lower division students are eligible to apply to the Criminal Justice major once they meet all of the following criteria:

Have completed at least 30 semester units of completed coursework;
Have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75; and
Have completed CRIM 1010 and CRIM 1260 (or the equivalent content courses taken at other educational institutions) with grades of “B‐” or better. Students will have a single opportunity to take and achieve a grade of “B‐” in each of these courses.

Upper division transfer and continuing upper division students will be eligible to apply to the Criminal Justice major provided they meet the following criteria:

Have completed at least (60 semester) units of college (transferable) coursework;
Have a minimum cumulative college (transferable) GPA of 3.00; and
Have completed CRIM 1010 and CRIM 1260 (or the equivalent content courses taken at other educational institutions) with grades of “B-” or better. Students will have a single opportunity to take and achieve a grade of “B-” in each of these courses.

Requirements for the Major (66 units)

A total of 120 units is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, including a minimum of 66 units for the major. All students must complete a required core of twenty-one (21) units in lower division courses. The total upper division requirement includes 45 units; twenty-four (24) units of upper division criminal justice courses and twenty-one (21) elective units. CRIM 3010 is a prerequisite to all upper division courses. All upper division courses are restricted to declared Criminal Justice majors. Students minoring in Criminal Justice and other majors seeking electives may be admitted to upper division courses by permit. See Undergraduate Studies: General Information for details about the General Education and other requirements that constitute the units outside the major.

All students must see the academic adviser in the school before beginning the program. Further, all students must receive approval from the undergraduate director before making any changes in the major program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the academic adviser concerning criminal justice degree requirements. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all other courses used to meet major curriculum requirements.

Lower Division Required Core Courses (21 units)

Upper Division Required Core Courses (24 units)

Selected Electives (9 units)

Students must select 9 units from the following list of electives:

Directed Electives in Criminal Justice or Related Fields (12 units)

Students must select 12 units of upper division directed electives in Criminal Justice or related fields. Electives from related fields require approval. Students may select directed electives from the pre-approved courses in related fields as found in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics Undergraduate Handbook. Students may also seek approval from the undergraduate director for courses in related fields that have not been previously approved, but they must be able to demonstrate how those courses are relevant to criminal justice studies.

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