Bachelor of Science

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:

• demonstrate knowledge of principles of criminal justice systems
• demonstrate knowledge of knowledge of law enforcement organization and procedures
• demonstrate knowledge of skills of legal research and analysis
• demonstrate knowledge of concepts of punishment and rehabilitation in the context of correctional systems
• demonstrate knowledge of 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: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

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:

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

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
Minimum grade of C is required in each course.

Take the following courses (12 hrs):

Select two of the following (6 hrs):

• ANTH 1105 Cultural Anthropology (3 hrs)
• SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs)
• Foreign Language 1001/1002/2001/2002 (3-6 hrs)
• POLS 2401 Global Issues (3 hrs)
• PHIL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy (3 hrs)
• PHIL 2020 Critical Thinking (3 hrs)
• PHIL 2030, Moral Philosophy (3 hrs)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each CRJU course.

Select one of the following (6 hrs):

• CRJU 3117 Introduction to Research Methods (3 hrs)
• SOCI 3111 Social Research Methods (3 hrs)

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 24
A grade of “C” or higher is required in each course credited in this area.

Option 1 General Program of StudySelect 24 hours from the following list.

 

Option 2 Public Safety Emphasis
Select 24 hours from the following list, at least 21 hours must be at the 3000 level or higher.

 

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 18

Total Hours Required: 123