Criminal Justice
Mission
The
criminal justice major is designed to help students develop the knowledge and
skills necessary to successfully pursue a career in the criminal justice
system. The program is strongly grounded in an interdisciplinary liberal arts
tradition while also offering practical opportunities to gain field experience
and professional certifications. Courses provide students with a comprehensive
understanding of criminal justice in the U. S., including the structure and
function of the police, courts, and corrections; current issues confronting
professionals in these fields; and the nature, extent, and causes of crime and
delinquency. In addition, the curriculum cultivates research, critical
thinking, and communication skills that are beneficial to students who are
seeking employment or continuing their studies in graduate school.
Goals
- Students will demonstrate an
understanding of the structure and function of the components of the criminal
justice system.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding
of major criminological theories and an ability to apply them to practical
examples.
- Students will be able to design and
execute an original research project as well as critically evaluate the
research of others.
- Students will be able to think critically
about criminal justice issues and policies.
- Students will be able to effectively
communicate their ideas orally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate an
understanding of the professional code of ethics and an ability to make
decisions consistent with those standards.
- Students will demonstrate an
understanding of the impact class, race, and gender have on the criminal
justice process.
Policy
Due
to the interdisciplinary nature of the criminal justice major, students may not
major in both criminal justice and sociology.
Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Arts
or Science)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- criminal justice requirements
– CRMJ 150, 203, 230, 265, 280, 320, 351 or SOCL 351, 364 or SOCL 364, 365, 465,
470, six credits of 487
- sociology support courses
– SOCL 125, 338
- support course
– MATH 130 or PSYC 223 or SOCL 223
- electives
– six credits from CRMJ 240, 286, 288, 345, 370, 380, 406, 435, 486, 488, PHIL
315
A minimum of six credits must be CRMJ courses.
- final degree requirements
– see the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements
of the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree as well as final
graduation requirements.
The total credits of the
major requirements are 48. The core curriculum and mission seminars require
38-52 credits. A total of 128 credits, 43 of which need to be at the 300/400
level, are required to graduate. Transfer courses and waivers and/or
substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Technical College Transfer
Students with an earned A.A.S. degree
from any Wisconsin technical college or Rochester Community and Technical
College may earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in criminal justice. The
degree must have been earned May 2006 or later. Students may not begin these
programs or be considered a student in these programs until the A.A.S degree
has been completed and documented on a transcript. The student cannot be dually
enrolled. The A.A.S degree must be completed prior to transfer to Viterbo.
Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Arts
or Science)
(Available to Wisconsin technical
college or Rochester Community and Technical College graduates with an earned
Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice.)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- major requirements – CRMJ 265, 320, 351, 364, 465, 470, SOCL
338, six credits of CRMJ 487, three credits upper division CRMJ
- support course
– MATH 130 or PSYC 223 or SOCL 223
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog
The total credits of the
major requirements are 30. The core curriculum and mission seminars require
38-52 credits. A total of 128 credits, 43 of which need to be at the 300/400
level, are required to graduate. Transfer courses and waivers and/or
substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Criminal Justice Minor
Mission
The criminal justice minor
is designed to help students understand the various components of the criminal
justice system. Students will learn how various criminal justice agencies in
our system approach justice. Students will also learn and reflect on the
reciprocal nature of actions in this system. This minor is designed to facilitate
learning about criminal justice topics by giving students flexibility in course
selection by allowing students to select courses that focus on their interests
in criminal justice. The program is strongly grounded in an interdisciplinary
liberal arts tradition, while also offering applied and active learning
opportunities.
Goals
- Students
will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of the
components of the criminal justice system.
- Students
will be able to think critically about criminal justice issues and policies.
- Students
will be able to effectively communicate their ideas orally and in writing.
Criminal
Justice Minor
- 15 credits of criminal justices including
CRMJ 150 and six credits of upper division CRMJ coursework (300 or above)
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 15. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.