Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree enables students to demonstrate a general knowledge of law enforcement, legal research, corrections and criminology. Students must take a minimum of 39 credit hours in criminal justice courses in residence at Columbus State University.

Career Opportunities

• City and-or state police
• Sheriffs' departments
• Probation departments
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation
• Drug enforcement agencies
• Secret Service
• Correctional institutions
• Juvenile justice agencies
• Private, industrial security
• FBI

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

• principles of criminal justice systems
• knowledge of law enforcement organization and procedures
• skills of legal research and analysis
• concepts of punishment and rehabilitation in the context of correctional systems
• major theories of criminal behavior

Additional Program Requirements

B.S. graduates also will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge about each of the learning outcomes by passing the department exit exam.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each CRJU course.

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 21
A grade of "C" or better is required in each CRJU course.

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 24
Select nine hours from the following:;
A grade of "C" or better is required in each CRJU course.

Select fifteen hours from the following:

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 15

Total Hours Required: 123