MU Undergraduate Catalog » Academic Programs »

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Criminal Justice (B.A.)
Criminal Justice-Forensic Science Concentration (B.S.)
Criminal Justice/Forensic Science (Undergraduate Certificate)
Criminal Justice (Minor)
Forensic Computing (Undergraduate Minor or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

Internship Prerequisites: When other requirements are successfully completed in the senior year, the student is placed in an internship (CJ 400) for 280 hours (6 credits). Prerequisites for the internship are a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better, a grade of C- or better in all required courses for the major, a minimum of 18 credits earned at Marymount, and permission of the internship coordinator. If the student cannot complete the prerequisites for the internship, the faculty retain the right to dismiss the student from the program.

Residency Requirement: Transfer students must complete the internship and at least 18 credits in Marymount Criminal Justice courses, including CJ 304, CJ 308, and CJ 495.


Criminal Justice (B.A.)

The B.A. program is distinctive in its combined emphasis of introductory professional skills and theoretical foundations. Career preparation reinforced by commitment to lifelong learning and advanced education that extends beyond the baccalaureate level are central to the study of this demanding field of inquiry. Simulations and review of problem-solving methods from actual cases are used to enhance the student’s understanding of lectures and materials. By examining decision-making processes, including policy analysis and the day-to-day practical operations of various components of the criminal justice system, participants learn to value and apply “theory to practice.”

Exploration of traditional and contemporary models of crime prevention, criminal investigation, jurisprudence, punishment and rehabilitation, organization and administrative theory help prepare graduates for eventual advancement to management positions in law enforcement, correctional, and court (probation and parole) agencies. Graduates of this rapidly developing field also find positions in corporate security firms and with government and private research agencies.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • EN 101 Composition I*
    ECO/POL/PSY/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
    Humanities (Theology/Religious Studies) elective*
    Two (2) electives
    SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • EN 102 Composition II*
    Humanities (History) elective*
    Health elective*
    Social Sciences elective*
    Science elective*

Year Two

Fall

  • CJ 209 The Criminal Justice System§
    Major elective§ **
    Humanities (English Literature) elective*
    Social Sciences elective*
    Elective

Spring

  • SOC 250 Deviant Behavior§
    CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice§ *
    LA 302 Criminal Litigation§
    MA 132 Statistical Analysis*
    Humanities (Philosophy) elective *

Year Three

Fall

  • SOC 305 Criminology§
    CJ 307 Juvenile Justice§
    CJ 308 Principles of Forensic Science§
    Humanities elective*
    Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

Spring

  • CJ 312 Criminal Justice Management§
    CJ 304 Applied Research Methods§
    Humanities elective*
    Two (2) Major electives§ **

Year Four

Fall

  • Two (2) Major electives§ **
    Three (3) electives

Spring

  • CJ 400 Internship§
    CJ 495 Senior Seminar§
    Two (2) electives*

§ Requirement for the major
* See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Major electives: SOC 200 Law and Society; SOC 202 Social Problems; SOC 205 Crime, Media, and Culture; SOC 322 Race and Ethnic Relations; CJ 309 Principles of Forensic Science II; CJ 310 Policing in American Society; CJ 311 Correctional Institutions; CJ 320 Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism; PH 301 Ethics and Public Policy; PSY 220 Social Psychology; PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology; PSY 332 Psychology of Addictions


Criminal Justice-Forensic Science Concentration (B.S.)

This major with a concentration in Forensic Science is designed for students seeking basic training in the sciences, law, and physical evidence in order to increase specialized orientation to professional areas of work such as criminal investigation, crime-scene processing, and crime laboratories. Minimally, this program introduces students to the application of science to law. Investigators in various law enforcement agencies (state and local police, FBI, ATF, DEA, Secret Service) at all levels are expected to possess rudimentary knowledge of various lab techniques, including serology (DNA testing), hair and fiber analyses, gunshot residue testing, toxicology, and drug analyses.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • EN 101 Composition I*
    ECO/POL/PSY/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
    MA 132 Statistical Analysis*
    Health elective*
    Humanities (History) elective*
    SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • EN 102 Composition II*
    Humanities (Philosophy) elective*
    Humanities (Theology/Religious Studies) elective*
    Social Sciences elective*
    Elective

Year Two

Fall

  • SOC 250 Deviant Behavior§
    BIO 151 General Biology I§ *
    CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I§
    Social Sciences elective*
    Humanities (English Literature) elective*

Spring

  • CJ 209 The Criminal Justice System§
    LA 302 Criminal Litigation§
    BIO 152 General Biology II§
    CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II§
    CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice *

Year Three

Fall

  • CJ 308 Principles of Forensic Science I§
    PSY 250 Biological Bases of Behavior§
    BIO 260 Microbiology§
    Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*
    Humanities elective*

Spring

  • CJ 309 Principles of Forensic Science II: Advanced Criminalistics§
    CJ 312 Criminal Justice Management§
    CJ 304 Applied Research Methods§
    BIO 262 Genetics§
    Humanities elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • SOC 305 Criminology§
    Two (2) Criminal Justice electives
    Elective*

Spring

  • CJ 400 Internship§
    CJ 495 Senior Seminar§
    Elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.


Criminal Justice (Minor)

Minor Requirements


Criminal Justice/Forensic Science (Undergraduate Certificate)

This certificate program is available for individuals seeking an introduction to the crucial role played by forensic science in providing scientific and foundational information for investigations and to the courts. There are many forensic science specialty areas (i.e. forensic entomology, forensic computer science, forensic psychology, forensic nursing), but courses required for this certificate will provide a foundation for understanding the importance of recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence in legal proceedings through the application of the natural sciences.

Residency Requirement: Students must complete the following courses at Marymount University: CJ 209, CJ 308,
CJ 309, BIO 151, and CHM 151.

Certificate Requirements

23 credits


Forensic Computing (Undergraduate Minor or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

This undergraduate minor and post-baccalaureate certificate program are offered jointly by the Department of Information Technology and Management Science in the School of Business Administration and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice in the School of Education and Human Services. For further information about the minor is available here; information about the post-baccalaureate certificate can be found here.