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:

In addition to completing ten core courses within the major, and four courses in the student’s area of specialization, participants in the B.A. Program in Criminal Justice are also required to fulfill the following requirements:

1. CJ/Bi/Ch237 Forensic Science is the preferred second natural science requirement.
2. Completion of Ps151 Introduction to Psychology or Is180 Fundamentals of Computer Programming is the third natural science requirement.
3. Successful completion of Po100 Perspectives on Politics as a core social science requirement.
4. One additional social science core course, either So121 Introduction to Sociology or Ec101 Macroeconomic Principles.
5. Completion of CJ258 Criminal Justice Ethics as the core values requirement
6. All Criminal Justice majors are required to maintain a 2.25 average in major courses.

Criminal Justice Concentration Requirements

Each of the six specialization options from which Saint Peter’s students undertake courses (i.e., law and justice, corrections, police administration, investigative sciences, criminal research & intelligence analysis, and computer science and crime forensics) stresses a combination of theory and practical application - as well as the Jesuit educational principles of justice and social equity. In addition to the specialization courses, students are strongly encouraged to complete supplementary double majors or minors from areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Accounting, English, History, Political Sciences, Sociology, Urban Studies, or Modern Languages. Descriptions of each specialization option, and its requisite courses, are as follows:

Law and Justice (3 courses - 9 credits):

This concentration is designed for those interested in studying the role the law plays in today’s society and how it affects the criminal justice system. Students who are interested in a legal profession or justice studies should consider this option. Courses within this specialization incude the following:

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.

CJ258 - Criminal Justice Ethics (Required)

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.

CJ175 - Introduction to Law Enforcement (Required)

CJ258 - Criminal Justice Ethics (Required)

And select ONE 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.

CJ258 - Criminal Justice Ethics (Required)

Select TWO 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.

Ac151 - Principles of Accounting I (or equivalent preapproved by the Department Chair)

CJ258 - Criminal Justice Ethics (Required)

And select ONE of the courses below:

B.S. Criminal Justice with a concentration in Computer Science and
Crime Forensics

Courses required to take include:  

Requirements for a Minor in Criminal Justice

Students interested in combining Criminal Justice Studies with other majors, such as Psychology, or Biology and Chemistry may obtain a minor by completing the following six courses (18 credit hours):