Overview
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The department is committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student body. Students can choose from two different degree plans that can be taken either on-line, in the classroom, or a mixture of the two. First, we offer the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in a format that allows students to concentrate their coursework by taking electives that interest them. Courses in the Criminal Justice degree plan are offered in Edinburg and Brownsville classrooms, and online. Click below for a printable version of the degree plan.
Degree Plans 2022-2023
Criminal Justice (Minor Required), Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice, Minor
Social Justice, Minor
Older Degree Plans
Download Criminal Justice (BSCJ) 2019-2020
Download Criminal Justice Minor 2019-2020
Criminal Justice (Minor Required), Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice prepares students interested in criminal justice careers like law enforcement, parole and probation, corrections, and youth services. While students will learn about the inner workings of the justice system, our courses are also designed to develop skills that will make their careers more successful, like critical thinking skills, good communication skills, problem solving skills, and an ability to grow and learn after college. Finally, the degree prepares students interested in pursuing a graduate degree by providing a strong academic foundation in criminological theory, research methods, and statistics.
Core Curriculum – 42 Hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
Major Requirements- 60 Hours
Required Courses - 30 Hours
Criminal Justice Core| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to the Criminal Justice System |
3 |
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices |
3 |
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law |
3 |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices |
3 |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices |
3 |
| CRIJ 3303 | Criminology |
3 |
| CRIJ 3304 | Criminal Justice Research Methods |
3 |
| CRIJ 3305 | Statistical Applications in Criminal Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 3310 | Constitution and Criminal Law |
3 |
| CRIJ 4399 | Criminal Justice System Capstone |
3 |
| CRIJ 4370 | Senior Seminar on Policy Issues |
3 |
Prescribed Electives - 30 Hours
A minimum of 24 advanced hours are required.Choose from:
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America |
3 |
| CRIJ 1313 | Juvenile Justice System |
3 |
| CRIJ 3316 | Criminal Evidence and Proof |
3 |
| CRIJ 3322 | Juvenile Delinquency and Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 3325 | Violent Crime and Offenders |
3 |
| CRIJ 3327 | Family Violence |
3 |
| CRIJ 3331 | Legal Aspects of Corrections |
3 |
| CRIJ 3341 | Probation and Parole |
3 |
| CRIJ 3344 | Gender, Crime and Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 3345 | Race, Crime and Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 3350 | Social Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 3352 | Immigration Law, Policies and Practices |
3 |
| CRIJ 3353 | Human Trafficking |
3 |
| CRIJ 3354 | War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity |
3 |
| CRIJ 4312 | Principles of Law Enforcement and Supervision |
3 |
| CRIJ 4313 | Current Issues in Law Enforcement |
3 |
| CRIJ 4314 | Private Security and Loss Prevention |
3 |
| CRIJ 4316 | Environmental Crime and Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 4320 | Criminal Justice Organization and Management |
3 |
| CRIJ 4321 | White-Collar and Organized Crime |
3 |
| CRIJ 4322 | Terrorism |
3 |
| CRIJ 4335 | Restorative and Community Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 4341 | Correctional Casework and Counseling |
3 |
| CRIJ 4343 | Current Issues in Corrections |
3 |
| CRIJ 4350 | Peace, Nonviolence and Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 4353 | Gangs |
3 |
| CRIJ 4355 | Current Issues in the Courts |
3 |
| CRIJ 4356 | Law and Society |
3 |
| CRIJ 4357 | Crime Prevention Techniques |
3 |
| CRIJ 4361 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems |
3 |
| CRIJ 4362 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice |
3 |
| CRIJ 4364 | Field Internship |
3 |
| CRIJ 4365 | Independent Studies in Criminal Justice |
3 |
Minor – Hours will vary
Minors vary in credit hours required. If applicable, the credit hours in the minor selected may impact the number of free electives required to reach the 120 credit hours needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.Advanced Minimum Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 120
Minor in Criminal Justice
Degree Type – Minor
Degree Title – Criminal Justice
MINOR REQUIREMENTS – 18 HOURS (9 advanced)
- Criminal Justice Core – 9 hours
- CRIJ 1301 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- CRIJ 2328 Police Systems and Practices
- CRIJ 2313 Corrections Systems and Practices
- Advanced Criminal Justice Electives – 9 hours (9 advanced)
- Choose 9 hours of advanced Criminal Justice electives.
- Choose 9 hours of advanced Criminal Justice electives.