Course List - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (120 credits)
A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.
| 8 Prescribed Core Courses | ||
| CRIMJ 012 | Criminology Explanations and measurement of crime; criminal law; characteristics of criminals and victims; violent, property, white-collar, organized, and sexual crimes. |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 100/CRIM 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice Overview of the criminal justice system, including legal foundations, processing and correction of offenders, extent and types of crime, victims. |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 113 | Introduction to Law Introduction to law in society with a focus on criminal law, Judicial code, laws of sentencing and corrections, criminal procedures. |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 210 | Policing in America Police organization and operations in America. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 100 |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 230 | Corrections in America Punishment and treatment of sentenced offenders, correctional institution organization, staffing, inmates, and subcultures. |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 250W | Research Methods in Criminal Justice Fundamental concepts of social science research including design, measurement, sampling, and interpretation of study of crime, law and justice. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 012 |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 450W | Senior Seminar Capstone course exploring past, current and future developments in criminal justice. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 100, CRIMJ 100 and sixth semester standing |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 465 | Ethics in Criminal Justice Ethical behavior in the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 100 or permission of program |
3 credits |
| Additional Major Requirements (3–4 credits) | ||
| CRIMJ 260 | Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences Methods of collection, presentation, and analysis of quantitative data in the social science, procedures, interpretation, and application. Prerequisite: 2 units of high school algebra, and CRIMJ 100, or permission of the program |
3 credits |
| OR | ||
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisite: 2 units of high school algebra |
4 credits |
| Additional Upper-level Criminal Justice Courses (12 credits) | ||
| CRIMJ 304 | Security Administration Interdisciplinary analysis of security and loss prevention; its administration, role in crime control and prevention, and relationship to criminal justice. |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 408 | Police Administration Principles of administration as they relate to a police organization; and policy development. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 100 or CRIM 100 and CRIM 210 |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 430 | Alternatives to Incarceration Control and treatment of offenders in the community, probation and parole organizations, diversion programs, innovative sentences, supervision techniques. Prerequisites: CRIMJ 100, and CRIMJ 113, and CRIMJ 230, or permission of program |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 435 | Border Security This course provides knowledge about government organizations charged with American border security, guiding laws, and policies. Prerequisites: 6th semester standing |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 441 | The Juvenile Justice System Historical and contemporary view of juvenile justice system. Focus on analyzing components of the system, their interactions, processing, and handling of youths. Prerequisite: CRIMJ 100 |
3 credits |
| CRIMJ 495 | Internship in Criminal Justice Experience with a criminal justice agency coordinated through readings and discussion. |
3-6 credits |
Supported Courses and Related Areas (18 credits)
| Behavioral Science | 6 credits |
| Courses Taken in Consultation with Adviser Learn more about the optional minor in Homeland Security. |
15 credits |
General Education Requirements (45 credits)
| Writing and Speaking | 9 credits |
| Quantification | 6 credits |
| Natural Sciences | 9 credits |
| Arts | 6 credits |
| Humanities | 6 credits |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 credits |
| Health Sciences | 3 credits |
Electives (Credits needed to meet the 120 credit degree requirement)
You can choose your electives from the World Campus Course Catalog.
Please note: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.