BACHELORS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The undergraduate degree program in the School of Criminal Justice is designed to provide students with the foundations of criminal justice research and practice. During freshman and sophomore years, students get an overview of criminal justice, criminology, criminal procedure and research. In the junior and senior years, students focus on specific areas of interest in policing, corrections, juvenile justice and private security.
Faculty in the school hold degrees in a variety of fields, including political science, social work, sociology, psychology, law, criminal justice and criminology. In addition to regular full-time faculty, part-time instructors are drawn from the professional agencies of criminal justice and represent police departments, the Michigan Department of Corrections, juvenile justice agencies and private/corporate security.
The school offers a strong internship program that places students with agencies to earn credit while gaining important field experience. Many criminal justice students also engage in study abroad opportunities. Michigan State sends more students abroad than any university in the United States and there are numerous opportunities for both criminal justice and other study abroad endeavors.
Detailed information about the bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can be found in the Student Planning Guide. Questions can also be directed to the main office, at (517) 355-2197.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ADDITIONAL MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Students whose primary major is not criminal justice may earn an additional major in CJ. The additional major will be noted on the student’s transcript but not on the official diploma. Students must successfully complete the following requirements to receive the additional major.
Major Requirements (30 credits):
Core Courses: 12 credits
- CJ 110 (3): Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 220 (3): Criminology
- CJ 275 (3): Criminal Procedure
- CJ 292 (3): Methods of Criminal Justice Research
Thematic Areas: Select 2 or 3 (6 – 9 credits)
- CJ 335 (3): Policing
- CJ 355 (3): Juvenile Justice
- CJ 365 (3): Corrections
- CJ 385 (3): Private Security
CJ electives: Select 9-12 credits
A minimum of nine credits in criminal justice elective coursework is required. All credits in criminal justice must total 30, with at least nine credits at the 400-level. Elective courses include CJ 434W, CJ 456W, CJ 466W and CJ 485W but exclude CJ 494 (internship).
To receive the additional major, students must maintain a 2.0 for both cumulative GPA and criminal justice courses.
Students who wish to declare criminal justice as an additional major should make an appointment with an academic adviser.
After a student declares criminal justice as an additional major, the intention to complete the additional major will be noted on his or her academic record in the Registrar's Office. The student will receive notification in the mail from the Registrar's Office three to six weeks after declaring the additional major.
See the Planning Guide for course suggestions on the above requirements.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A SECOND DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Students who successfully complete a second degree at Michigan State University receive two bachelor’s degrees and two diplomas. The following are required for a second degree:
Total Credits Required: 150 (153 w/MTH 1825)
A minimum total of 150 credits (153 credits with MTH 1825) are required for a second degree. This is a minimum of 30 credits above and beyond the 120 required for primary major. A student wishing to complete the requirements for a second degree must complete criminal justice major requirements and College of Social Science requirements. Additionally, a student must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA in the School of Criminal Justice.
Major Requirements (30 credits):
Core Courses: 12 credits
- CJ 110 (3): Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 220 (3): Criminology
- CJ 275 (3): Criminal Procedure
- CJ 292 (3): Methods of Criminal Justice Research
Thematic Areas: Select 2 or 3 (6 – 9 credits)
- CJ 335 (3): Policing
- CJ 355 (3): Juvenile Justice
- CJ 365 (3): Corrections
- CJ 385 (3): Private Security
CJ electives: Select 9-12 credits
A minimum of 9 credits in criminal justice elective coursework is required. All credits in criminal justice must total 30, with at least 9 credits at the 400-level. Elective courses include CJ 434W, CJ 456W, CJ 466W and CJ 485W but exclude CJ 494 (internship).
College of Social Science Requirements (30 credits):
Social Science: 15 credits
Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Geography, Social Work, Economics, History, Family & Child Ecology
Arts and Letters: 9 credits
Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theater, English, Classical Studies, Studio Art, Foreign Languages, Women’s Studies, History of Art, Music
Natural Science: 6 credits
Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Entomology, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, selected social science courses (see Student Planning Guide).
Requesting the degree
To declare criminal justice as a second degree, you must make an appointment (LINK) with a criminal justice adviser.
After the request to complete two degrees concurrently (link) is processed, the intention to complete a second degree will be noted on the student's academic records in the Registrar’s Office. The student will receive a notice in the mail approximately 3 to 6 weeks after the declaration.
ACADEMIC SPECIALIZATIONS
STUDY ABROAD
Study Abroad Opportunities in Criminal Justice
Comparative Law and Legal Systems in the Caribbean
This spring program, open to all majors, offers a unique opportunity for comparative study of two of the world’s major legal systems: the common law system (in Barbados, United States Virgin Islands, and British Virgin Islands) and the civil law system (in Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin). Using an array of perspectives, the study of each system will cover the basic aspects of constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, court systems, and legal education. Some attention will also be given to the links between law and religion, politics, economics, race and other cultural aspects of the Caribbean region. Additionally, the program will explore the transition of legal systems from colonial to independent and their relationship to regional and international law. In addition to the program activities, there will be many opportunities to independently explore the islands and travel to neighboring islands during and after the program.
For information regarding this or other overseas studies programs, visit the Office of Study Abroad website at www.studyabroad.msu.edu.
Australia: Its People, Government, Justice Systems and Public Policies
Open to all majors, this spring semester interdisciplinary program offers an exceptional opportunity to study firsthand the people, government and justice systems, and public policies of Australia. The program allows students to study the dichotomous qualities of Australia, from its cosmopolitan environment to its reputation as one of the world's last frontiers.
Scheduled during Australia's summer months of January and February, this overseas studies program is conducive to many sun and water activities during participants' free time. Classes generally meet four times a week, leaving long weekends for individual travel and sightseeing.
View Australia Study Abroad for more information!
Madagascar: Paradise in Peril? Exploring Madagascar's Biodiversity Crisis
Open to all majors, this early summer program is co-sponsored by the Colleges of Social Science, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Natural Science. The three-week program takes students to the island of Madagascar, home to an astonishing eight plant, four bird, and five primate families that live nowhere else on Earth. The program allows students to examine the delicate relationship Madagascar is faced in balancing between human development and environmental protection.
For information regarding this or other overseas studies programs, visit the Office of Study Abroad website at www.studyabroad.msu.edu.