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Criminal Justice (B.A.)

The B.A. program is distinctive in its combined emphasis on 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, and 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.

Upon successful completion of the criminal justice program, students will be able to

  • demonstrate a working knowledge of criminal justice and how its component parts function;
  • demonstrate skills in the use of research methods and statistics;
  • demonstrate proficiency in written communication; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and exhibit their application to social phenomena.

A minor in criminal justice is also available.  Please see the School of Social and Behavioral  Sciences minors section for details.

Internship Prerequisites: When other requirements are successfully completed in the senior year, the student is placed in an internship (CJ 400) for 140 or 280 hours (three or six credits). Prerequisites for the internship are a grade of C- or better in all required courses for the major, a minimum of 18 credits earned at Marymount, and permission from 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.

Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses in the major.

Residency Requirement: Students must complete the internship and at least 18 credits in Marymount criminal justice courses, including CJ 304 and CJ 495.

Degree Requirements — Criminal Justice

This degree requires 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Criminal justice majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: All majors must take CJ 495 Senior Seminar and CJ 304 Applied Research Methods. Majors must take an additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

CJ 207Juvenile Justice

3

CJ 209The Criminal Justice System *

3

CJ 250Deviant Behavior

3

CJ 304Applied Research Methods *

4

CJ 305Criminology *

3

CJ 312Criminal Justice Management

3

CJ 400Internship *

3

CJ 495Senior Seminar *

3

SOC 131Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective *

3

Five (5) courses from the following:

CJ 201Principles of Forensic Science

3

CJ 202Principles in Forensic Science II

3

CJ 205Crime, Media, and Culture

3

CJ 302Introduction to Counterintelligence and Terrorism

3

CJ 310Policing in American Society

3

CJ 311Correctional Institutions

3

CJ 313Recognition and Recovery of Human Remains

3

CJ 320Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism

3

LA 302Criminal Litigation

3

PH 301Social and Political Philosophy *

3

PSY 230Abnormal Psychology *

3

PSY 332Psychology of Addictions

3

SOC 222Race and Ethnic Diversity *

3

Sample Degree Plan — Criminal Justice

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

CJ 209The Criminal Justice System *

3

MA Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

One (1) elective

3

EN 101: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3

SOC 131Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course - PSY 101 or PSY 110 recommended *

3

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

4

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: WR core course

SOC 131: GP, SS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

CJ 207Juvenile Justice

3

CJ 250Deviant Behavior

3

HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Two — Spring

CJ 305Criminology *

3

PH Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course - POL 104, ECO 210, ECO 211 recommended *

3

One (1) elective

3

One (1) major elective

CJ 305: SS-2 core course

Year Three — Fall

CJ 304Applied Research Methods *

4

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course (Advanced History recommended) *

3

One (1) major elective

Two (2) electives

6

Year Three — Spring

CJ 312Criminal Justice Management

3

 

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) core course *

3

OR

Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

 

Two (2) major electives

One (1) elective

3

Major elective: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four — Fall

CJ 495Senior Seminar *

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

One (1) major elective

Two (2) electives

6

Major elective: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four — Spring

CJ 400Internship *

3

Three (3) electives

9

Major elective: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Forensic and Legal Psychology Scholars Program

Program Requirements

In addition to their major program requirements, criminal justice majors must complete (13 credits):
PSY 101General Psychology *

3

PSY 105General Psychology Laboratory

1

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

PSY 220Social Psychology

3

PSY 326Forensic Psychology

3

As part of their major program electives, criminal justice majors must complete (12 credits):
CJ 311Correctional Institutions

3

PSY 220Social Psychology

3

PSY 230Abnormal Psychology *

3

PSY 332Psychology of Addictions

3

By January 16th of the year in which the student intends to graduate with their bachelor's degree in psychology or criminal justice, the following materials need to be submitted to the forensic and legal psychology scholars program coordinator:

  • FLP MA Admissions Approval form
  • Research and Internship form (including the research project)
  • Events and Class form
  • Official undergraduate transcript
  • Strong, positive letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the student’s major
  • Graduate Studies Application form

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.