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.
The BA in Criminal Justice program requires a minimum of 120 credits for degree completion.
Please see footnotes for additional information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Core Requirements | ||
| CJ 101 | Crime and Society | 3 |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or JS 101 | Introduction to Justice Studies | |
| CJ 205 | From College to Career | 1 |
| SO 241 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (or MCI courses) | 3 |
| CJ 241 | Police and Policing | 3 |
| CJ 261 | Prisons and Jails | 3 |
| CJ 290 | Criminal Justice Research Methods | 3 |
| CJ 392 | Internship in the Community | 3 |
| CJ 385 | Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy | 3 |
| 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 | |
| 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 Electives | 34 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
All CAS students must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Placement scores at the 201 level or higher demonstrate language competency and will place out of the language requirement.
- 2
May count as a crime typologies, criminal justice in practice or advanced elective option.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 101 | Crime and Society | 3 |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| MA 206 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (UC Math) | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) | 3 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ 241 | Police and Policing | 3 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 4 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| 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 205 | From College to Career | 1 |
| CJ 261 | Prisons and Jails | 3 |
| SO 241 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ 290 | Criminal Justice Research Methods | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Crime Typologies Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| 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 Elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| 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 Internship | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Diversity – Students will recognize the influence that different forms of diversity have upon their worldview and how diversity impacts the criminal justice system.
- Scientific Literacy – Students will be able to identify the steps of the scientific process, formulate scientific questions and distinguish between anecdotal and empirical evidence.
- 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.
- Communication – Students will be able to argue a clearly defined position with civility, using credible evidence with appropriate citation of sources.
- 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 & Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts & 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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| English I | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Statistics | 3 | |
| Principles of Sociology | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Government | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| English II | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminology | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Introduction to Corrections | 3 | |
| Criminology | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Courts and Sentencing | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |