Criminal Justice

Dr. Raymond R. Rainville, Chairperson of the Department

Degree Requirements for Criminal Justice Major

Degree of Bachelor of Arts

In addition to fulfilling the core curriculum requirements, Criminal Justice majors must complete the following courses:

Special Notes on Core Curriculum Requirements for Criminal Justice Major

1. Bi/Ch237 Forensic Science is the preferred second natural science requirement.
2. Ps151 Introduction to Psychology or Cs155 Special Section: Introduction to Computers (or equivalent) is the third natural science requirement.
3. Po100 Perspectives on Politics is a core social science requirement.
4. One additional social science core course, either Po121 Introduction to Sociology or Ec101 Marcoeconomics Principles.
5. Completion of CJ258 Criminal Justice Ethics is the core values requirement
6. All Criminal Justice majors are required to maintain a 2.25 average in major courses.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATIONS

Through a carefully-constructed balance of theory and practical application, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice at Saint Peter's College enter the field well-prepared to make a difference.  With a solid foundation in the Jesuit educational principles of justice and social equality, our students will explore diverse areas within the field.  Each Criminal Justice major must fulfill the concentration requirements for at least one of the four areas of degree specialization options. These specializations are as follows: Law and Justice, Corrections, Police Administration, Investigative Sciences, Criminal Research and Intelligence Analysis, and Computer Science and Crime Forensics.  Specific requirements for each concentration are provided below.

Law and Justice

CORRECTIONS (3 Courses - 9 Credits):

Explores both the societal and individual aspects of punishment in America —including the ever-present tension between incarceration and rehabilitation. Students interested in careers with county or state corrections management agencies, or those seeking to enter the world of federal prison management or probation should consider this option.

Courses are as follows: CJ/Pl258 (Required)

And Select TWO of the Courses Below:

POLICE ADMINISTRATION (3 Courses - 9 Credits):

This specialization is geared primarily towards those students aspiring to obtain supervisory or management positions in state, county, or local public safety agencies. Courses such as community policing, police culture, patrol theory, police administration, and managing non-profit organizations serve to strengthen the student’s skills in the area of police administration.

Course requirements are as follows: CJ175 (Required)

And select TWO of the Courses below:

INVESTIGATIVE SCIENCES (3 Courses - 9 Credits):

For those students who desire to enter the forensic sciences, this concentration provides an excellent foundation in biology, chemistry, and social psychology. Students enrolled in this concentration are strongly advised to complete a second major in biology, chemistry, or psychology.  The Investigative Sciences specialization tracks well with graduate-level programs in criminalistics and forensic psychology.

Students enrolled in this specialization must successfully complete the following courses: CJ/Pl258 (Required)

And select THREE of the Courses below:

CRIMINAL RESEARCH and INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS (3 Courses – 9 Credits):

Designed for students who desire careers such as intelligence research specialists or criminal analysts, this concentration emphasizes financial transaction fraud, crimes involving information technology, and related white-collar, drug trafficking, and money laundering offenses.  Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue a minor in Accountancy, Modern Languages, or Mathematics.  At present, Saint Peter's College is one of only a few select colleges in the United States to offer a specialization in intelligence analysis.

Courses within this specialization include the following:  Ac151 (Required)

And select TWO of the Courses below:

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CRIME FORENSICS:

Courses to take include:  

SEQUENCE OF COURSES

Minor Program in Criminal Justice

A minor in Criminal Justice may be obtained by taking the following six courses (18 credit hours):