Criminal Justice Undergraduate

Breadcrumbs

The Criminal Justice Program (Bachelor of Arts) is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime and the justice system. "Criminal Justice" refers to law enforcement, processes of the courts and corrections as a system for the administration of city, county, state and federal laws and procedures. The curriculum includes a broad range of study to meet the academic needs of both preprofessional students who plan future careers in the criminal justice field and those currently employed in criminal and juvenile justice systems. The curriculum is designed to give students an understanding of the theoretical knowledge base and extent of empirical data and findings in this field of study.

The central focus is on: the interrelationship of the criminal justice system with other social institutions; crime prevention; the forms (types) of crime and the classification of offenders; policing and crime control; the courts, probation and parole; rehabilitative interventions, counseling programs, and qualitative statistical methods in the measurement and analysis of crime.

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission into Bachelor’s program in Criminal Justice or Sociology must meet the general requirements of the university.  They are:

  • A minimum test score of 900 (critical reading and math only) on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or a minimum score of 19 on the American College Test (ACT).
  • A minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Acceptable letters of recommendation
    • A high school counselor and high school teacher familiar with the student typically supply these.
  • An applicant statement of interest.  (Essay)
    • The essay may be on any topic desired, but must be a minimum of 500 words.


Degree Requirements

Candidates for the B.A. degree in Sociology or Criminal Justice must meet the general graduation requirements of Clark Atlanta University and of the School of Arts and Sciences. Sociology and Criminal Justice majors must select all courses in consultation with (and the approval of) the University undergraduate coordinator and the undergraduate advisors in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department. Sociology and Criminal Justice majors must complete 60 semester hours within their selected program. A minor in Sociology and for Criminal Justice requires 18 semester hours.

Core Courses Required of all Sociology and Criminal Justice Majors (24 hours)
  • CPSC 219 American Government and Politics
  • CSCJ 215 Introduction to Sociology
  • CSCJ 216 Introduction to Anthropology
  • CSCJ 218 Social Problems
  • CSCJ 301 Criminology
  • CSCJ 337 Social Statistics I 
  • CSCJ 387 Social Research Methods I 
  • CSCJ 388 Sociological Theory
Core Courses Required of all Criminal Justice Majors (24 hours)
  • CSCJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CSCJ 205 Law Enforcement
  • CSCJ 305 Criminal Investigation
  • CSCJ 401 Corrections
  • CSCJ 403 Judicial Process
  • CSCJ 404 Juvenile Delinquency
  • CSCJ 405 Criminal Law
  • CSCJ 425 Internship I
Criminal Justice Electives (minimum 24 hours)
  • CSCJ 314 Victimology
  • CSCJ 320 Criminal Justice Management
  • CSCJ 338 Social Statistics II
  • CSCJ 389 Soc. Research Methods II
  • CSCJ 400 Comparative Systems in Social and Criminal Justice
  • CSCJ 405 Criminal Law
  • CSCJ 410 Seminar on Organized Crime
  • CSCJ 420 Special Topics I
  • CSCJ 421 Special Topics II
  • CSCJ 426 Internship II
Total 122 hours (required for Sociology and Criminal Justice major)

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (122 hours)

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester (16 hours)
CENG 105 English Composition I (3) (Area D)
CSCJ 201 Intro to Criminal Justice (3) (Req)
CMAT 104 Algebra II (3) (Area C)
CSTA 101 Fundamentals of Speech (3) (Area D)
CPSY 211 General Psychology (3) (Area B)
CGED 100 First-Year Seminar I (1)

Second Semester (16 hours)
CENG 106 English Composition II (3) (Area D)
CPHI 105 Critical Thinking (3) (Area A)
Area B: Choose from Area B (3)
CBUS 250 Personal Finance (3) (Area E)
Area A: Choose from Area A (3)
CGED 101 First-Year Seminar II (1)

SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester (15 hours)
CPHY102 Physical Science & Lab (3) (Area C)
Area A: Choose from Area A (3)
CFL 101 Spanish or other Language  (3)
Minor Elective (3)
Minor Elective (3)

Second Semester (15 hours)
Area E: Choose from Area E (3)
CFL 102 Spanish or other Foreign Language (3)
CSCJ 310 Criminology (3) (Req)
Minor Elective (3)
Minor Elective (3)

JUNIOR YEAR 
First Semester (15 hours)
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ 337 Statistics I (3) (Req)
CSCJ 387 Scope and Methods of Research I (3) (Req)
CSCJ Major Elective (3) Any Level

Second Semester (15 hours)
CSCJ 388 Sociological Theory (3) (Req)
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
Minor Elective (3)
Minor Elective (3)

SENIOR YEAR
First Semester (15 hours)
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) Any Level
CSCJ Major Elective (3) Any Level

Second Semester (15 hours)
CSCJ 425 Internship in Criminal Justice (3) (Req)
CSCJ Major Elective (3) 300 or 400 Level
Free Elective (3)
Free Elective (3)
Free Elective (3)