Program Contact: Stephen McGuinn 203-582-8415

The criminal justice degree program offers students a comprehensive examination into law-breaking behavior, crime as a social phenomenon and methods of social control. Students complete coursework ranging from the evaluation of institutions of formal social control, such as policing, courts and corrections, to advocating for crime victims. The program places particular emphasis on experiential learning through its carefully structured internships and its community-based coursework. Upon successful degree completion, students are prepared to pursue advanced degrees (in a variety of areas including law school and social work) or assume careers in fields such as policing, corrections, law, social work, public administration, teaching, international peacekeeping and other areas of public policy related to crime, victimization and the administration of justice. Graduates who pursue careers outside the criminal justice field gain transferrable skills—critical thinking, problem identification, advanced oral and written communication—that are fundamental to success in any career.

Students majoring in Criminal Justice must meet the following requirements for graduation:

University Curriculum 146
Modern Language Requirement3-6
Criminal Justice Core Requirements
CJ 101Crime and Society3
SO 101Introduction to Sociology3
or JS 101 Introduction to Justice Studies
CJ 205From College to Career1
SO 241Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (or MCI courses)3
CJ 241Police and Policing3
CJ 261Prisons and Jails3
CJ 290Criminal Justice Research Methods3
CJ 392Internship in the Community3
CJ 385Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy3
Select one of the following crime typologies options:3
Addiction and Crime
Women in the Criminal Justice System (course cross-listed)
Youth Crime
Sexual Violence
Public Order Crimes
Select one of the following criminal justice in practice options:3
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Special Topics
Investigative Techniques
Probation Parole and Community Corrections
Prosecution and Sentencing
Sexual Violence Victim Advocacy
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Select two of the following advanced elective options:6
Victimology
Advanced Victimology
Perspectives on Violence
Drugs, Alcohol and Society
Forensic Issues in Law Enforcement
Corrections Counseling
Crime and Media
Sociology of Mental Health
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Seminar
Constitution, Ethics and Policing
Family Violence
Advanced Internship In the Community
Independent Study in Criminal Justice 2
Free Electives16-19
Total Credits102-108
1

All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum.

2

May count as a crime typologies, criminal justice in practice or advanced elective option.

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Diversity – Students will recognize the influence that different forms of diversity have upon their worldview and how diversity impacts the criminal justice system.
  2. Scientific Literacy – Students will be able to identify the steps of the scientific process, formulate scientific questions and distinguish between anecdotal and empirical evidence.
  3. Social Responsibility – Students will understand how the criminal justice system functions as one part of the larger environmental system, and understand that its current format is not inevitable but the products of historical factors and the interconnectedness of individual actions and societal decisions.
  4. Communication – Students will be able to argue a clearly defined position with civility, using credible evidence with appropriate citation of sources.
  5. Critical Thinking – Students will understand multiple perspectives on significant crime-related topics and the importance of examining these from multiple perspectives and the significance of utilizing different data sources when examining these concepts. Basic disciplinary theory and terminology are applied.

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Transfer into the Criminal Justice Major

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BA in Criminal Justice

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BA in Criminal Justice program. If possible, it is recommended that students complete Introduction to Criminology, Introduction to Criminal Justice and Introduction to Sociology prior to transferring to Quinnipiac. Below is a recommended plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
Statistics 3
Principles of Sociology 3
Introduction to American Government 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
English II 3
Introduction to Criminology 3
Criminal Justice Elective 3
Elective 3-4
Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Second Year
Fall Semester
Introduction to Corrections 3
Criminology 3
Elective 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Spring Semester
Criminal Justice Elective 3
Courts and Sentencing 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits60-62

Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.

First Year
Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
Fall Semester
CJ 101Crime and Society3
SO 101Introduction to Sociology3
MA 206Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences3
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
Spring Semester
CJ 241Police and Policing3
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
Language at the 101 level3
University Curriculum course4
University Curriculum course3
Second Year
Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities.
Fall Semester
CJ 205From College to Career1
CJ 261Prisons and Jails3
SO 241Sociology of Race and Ethnicity3
Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement)3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
Spring Semester
CJ 290Criminal Justice Research Methods3
Criminal Justice Crime Typologies Elective3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Third Year
Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities.
Fall Semester
Criminal Justice in Practice Elective3
Advanced Criminal Justice Elective3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
Advanced Criminal Justice Elective3
University Curriculum course3
University Curriculum course3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Fourth Year
Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation.
Fall Semester
Criminal Justice Internship3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective1
Total Credits120