Students of Criminal Justice are prepared for careers in a wide range of governmental and private sector careers, as well as for graduate study in the behavioral sciences, government, and law.

Median Pay: $69,160

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's

Number of Jobs: 808,700

Job Outlook: 23,800 new jobs are projected to be added between 2022-2032.

Above information sourced from 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

Criminal Justice Major Requirements (35 Credit Hours)

Requires 35 semester hours including:

Required courses, 11 hours:

CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the system and process of criminal justice encompassing the history and development of both, as well as an examination of their contemporary characteristics.

PLSC 101 American National Government (3 Credit Hours)

A survey of the principal characteristics of the American National Government; examination of constitutional principles, federalism, political participation, institutions of government, and the politics of public policy. Please see the Department of History, Religious Studies & Languages section of the catalogue for information on the History and Political Science Major.

CRJU 401 / PLSC 401 Public Policy & Criminal Justice (Senior Capstone) (3 Credit Hours)

This course involves close examination of fundamental policy questions arising within the system of criminal justice and involves consideration of the linkages between crime; electoral politics; policies of executive, judicial, legislative, and administrative structures; and the substantive law. This course is an integrative capstone for undergraduate study within the Liberal Education Core and the Criminal Justice program. Available for upper-division elective credit in Political Science. Prerequisite: upper division standing. Cross-listed with PLSC 401.

CRJU 390 Comparative Criminal Justice System I (1 Credit Hour)

Course examines and compares structural and policy attributes of non-American systems of justice. Specific systems considered vary continuously by semester and academic year and include those outside the Anglo-American and Western traditions. This course may be used interchangeably for satisfaction of degree requirements for the Criminal justice major (requires completion of two semester hours).

CRJU 391 Comparative Criminal Justice System II (1 Credit Hour)

Course examines and compares structural and policy attributes of non-American systems of justice. Specific systems considered vary continuously by semester and academic year and include those outside the Anglo-American and Western traditions. This course may be used interchangeably for satisfaction of degree requirements for the Criminal Justice Major (requires completion of two semester hours).

Police Science courses, 6 hours, choose 2 courses:

LAWS 200 Community Policing (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides students with a broad perspective on the evolving relationship between policing agencies and citizens. This relationship forms a tentative framework for the resolution of issues arising between the two. As both a philosophy and an organizational strategy, community policing expands the scope of law enforcement activity to encompass partnerships with the community which facilitate mutual support and participation of all concerned parties. Coverage includes consideration of and strategies to address the current climate of suspicion associated with racial profiling and threats posed by terrorism, both of which have eroded the community trust which is indispensable to effective policing.

LAWS 205 Patrol Operations (3 Credit Hours)

This course introduces students to a range of topics relating to police operations. Coverage includes basic concepts of patrolling, patrol techniques, police communications, vehicle operations, controlled substances, field interviews, arrests, officer safety, racial profiling, police force staffing and deployment, and crowd and riot control. A segment is also devoted to the future of law enforcement.

LAWS 210 Traffic Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

This course acquaints students with basic elements in traffic enforcement practice. Topics include the history of traffic laws and future trends, impaired driving, tolerances and officer discretion, low and high risk stop tactics, one-officer and multi-unit response protocols, approach strategies, issues and tactics in pursuit driving, traffic point control, and hit and run and crash related investigations.

CRJU 302 / LAWS 302 Methods & Problems of Investigation (3 Credit Hours)

The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of police science investigation. An overview of the current problems that law enforcement investigators face will be addressed. Also, a comparative analysis of different agencies will be outlined. Cross-listed with CRJU 302.

Or

PLSC 307 / LAWS 307 Criminal Justice Administration (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the administrative principles and management practices of criminal justice organizations including police agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. Cross-listed with PLSC 307.

LAWS 206 Topics in Law Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Law Enforcement Studies curriculum.

Public Law courses, 9 hours, choose 3 courses:

CRJU 205 Criminal Law (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course providing an introduction to criminal law including the origins and principles of criminal law, criminal liability, criminal defenses, and crimes against persons and property. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 201.)

CRJU 201 Criminal Procedure (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course examining prevailing legal standards for arrest, search and seizure, self-incrimination and confessions, the exclusionary rule, and other matters pertaining to suspect rights and governmental prerogatives in the context of criminal proceedings. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 205.)

PLSC 209 / CRJU 209 American Courts & Judicial Process (3 Credit Hours)

This course presents an overview of the development of federal and state court systems examining structure, administration, case flow, and interaction with other portions of the criminal justice and governmental systems. Cross-listed with PLSC 209.

Or

LAWS 301 The Law of Evidence (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides an introduction to the law of evidence. Coverage includes trial procedures, the exclusionary rule, relevance, classification of evidence, burdens of production and proof, standards of proof, demonstrative evidence, presumptions, the vagaries of eyewitnesses, privileges, admissibility, authentication, hearsay, impeachment, and expert testimony.

Interdisciplinary Foundations courses, 9 hours, choose 3:

SOCI 363 Corrections: Institutional and Community Based (3 Credit Hours)

Public policy issues and problems in juvenile and adult correctional settings are explored. An analysis of the modes of treatment/punishment of legal offenders and their families as a vulnerable population group will be made from a historical perspective, rehabilitation approaches, de-institutionalization, and community-based programs. Roles of the correctional officer will be examined in institutional settings, and in probation, parole, and community-based programs. Prerequisites: Open to Criminal Justice majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from instructor. Open to Psychology and Sociology majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from advisor and instructor.

Or

SOCI 464 Deviance & Criminology (3 Credit Hours)

This course will examine the relationship between deviance, crime, and society. Included in this class is the examination of how deviance and crime are defined, by whom, and why they are seen as problematic; also, the study of important trends in terms of how crime and deviance have changed over time. Prerequisite: SOCI 131 or upper division standing.

PLSC 470 / CRJU 470 Political Violence (3 Credit Hours)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues relating to violence as a component of politics. Topics such as terrorism, warfare, and arms proliferation will be analyzed, as well as regional flashpoints such as the Middle East. Cross-listed with PLSC 470. Odd years only.

Or

PLSC 486 / CRJU 486 Constitutional Law I: Civil Liberties (3 Credit Hours)

The development and interpretation of the Constitution examined through analysis of the decisions of the Supreme Court and secondary sources, focusing on the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. The course serves as an introduction to how our national heritage of civil liberties has been articulated by the Court to form law and legal doctrine over the course of two centuries, including consideration of the areas of privacy, public morality, defendant’s rights, and the death penalty. Prerequisites: CRJU 201 and CRJU 205, or permission from instructor. (Alternates annually with CRJU 483 / PLSC 483.) Cross-listed with PLSC 486.

PLSC 306 / CRJU 306 Topics in Political Science / Topics in Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Criminal Justice curriculum. Cross-listed with PLSC 306.

Criminal Justice Minor Requirements (21 Credit Hours)

21 Semester Hours in Criminal Justice including:

Required courses, 15 hours:

CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the system and process of criminal justice encompassing the history and development of both, as well as an examination of their contemporary characteristics.

CRJU 201 Criminal Procedure (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course examining prevailing legal standards for arrest, search and seizure, self-incrimination and confessions, the exclusionary rule, and other matters pertaining to suspect rights and governmental prerogatives in the context of criminal proceedings. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 205.)

CRJU 205 Criminal Law (3 Credit Hours)

Substantive law course providing an introduction to criminal law including the origins and principles of criminal law, criminal liability, criminal defenses, and crimes against persons and property. (Alternates [F] / [S] with CRJU 201.)

CRJU 401 Public Policy and Criminal Justice (Senior Capstone) (3 Credit Hours)

This course involves close examination of fundamental policy questions arising within the system of criminal justice and involves consideration of the linkages between crime; electoral politics; policies of executive, judicial, legislative, and administrative structures; and the substantive law. This course is an integrative capstone for undergraduate study within the Liberal Education Core and the Criminal Justice program. Available for upper-division elective credit in Political Science. Prerequisite: upper division standing. Cross-listed with PLSC 401. 

PLSC 101 American National Government (3 Credit Hours)

A survey of the principal characteristics of the American National Government; examination of constitutional principles, federalism, political participation, institutions of government, and the politics of public policy. Please see the Department of History, Religious Studies & Languages section of the catalogue for information on the History and Political Science Major.

Police Science courses, 3 hours 1:

LAWS 200 Community Policing (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides students with a broad perspective on the evolving relationship between policing agencies and citizens. This relationship forms a tentative framework for the resolution of issues arising between the two. As both a philosophy and an organizational strategy, community policing expands the scope of law enforcement activity to encompass partnerships with the community which facilitate mutual support and participation of all concerned parties. Coverage includes consideration of and strategies to address the current climate of suspicion associated with racial profiling and threats posed by terrorism, both of which have eroded the community trust which is indispensable to effective policing.

CRJU 302 / LAWS 302 Methods & Problems of Investigation (3 Credit Hours)

The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of police science investigation. An overview of the current problems that law enforcement investigators face will be addressed. Also, a comparative analysis of different agencies will be outlined. Cross-listed with CRJU 302.

PLSC 307 / LAWS 307 Criminal Justice Administration (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the administrative principles and management practices of criminal justice organizations including police agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. Cross-listed with PLSC 307.

LAWS 206 Topics in Law Enforcement (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Law Enforcement Studies curriculum.

Interdisciplinary Foundation courses, 3 hours 1:

SOCI 363 Corrections: Institutional and Community Based (3 Credit Hours)

Public policy issues and problems in juvenile and adult correctional settings are explored. An analysis of the modes of treatment/punishment of legal offenders and their families as a vulnerable population group will be made from a historical perspective, rehabilitation approaches, de-institutionalization, and community-based programs. Roles of the correctional officer will be examined in institutional settings, and in probation, parole, and community-based programs. Prerequisites: Open to Criminal Justice majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from instructor. Open to Psychology and Sociology majors having upper division (junior) standing and permission from advisor and instructor.

Or

SOCI 464 Deviance & Criminology (3 Credit Hours)

This course will examine the relationship between deviance, crime, and society. Included in this class is the examination of how deviance and crime are defined, by whom, and why they are seen as problematic; also, the study of important trends in terms of how crime and deviance have changed over time. Prerequisite: SOCI 131 or upper division standing.

PLSC 470 / CRJU 470 Political Violence (3 Credit Hours)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues relating to violence as a component of politics. Topics such as terrorism, warfare, and arms proliferation will be analyzed, as well as regional flashpoints such as the Middle East. Cross-listed with PLSC 470. Odd years only.

PLSC 306 / CRJU 306 Topics in Political Science / Topics in Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Criminal Justice curriculum. Cross-listed with PLSC 306.