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.
Five (5) courses from the following:
| CJ 201 | Principles of Forensic Science | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Principles in Forensic Science II | 3 |
| CJ 205 | Crime, Media, and Culture | 3 |
| CJ 302 | Introduction to Counterintelligence and Terrorism | 3 |
| CJ 310 | Policing in American Society | 3 |
| CJ 311 | Correctional Institutions | 3 |
| CJ 313 | Recognition and Recovery of Human Remains | 3 |
| CJ 320 | Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism | 3 |
| LA 302 | Criminal Litigation | 3 |
| PH 301 | Social and Political Philosophy * | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Abnormal Psychology * | 3 |
| PSY 332 | Psychology of Addictions | 3 |
| SOC 222 | Race 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 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| CJ 209 | The 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 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| SOC 131 | Principles 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 207 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CJ 250 | Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| CJ 305 | Criminology * | 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 | |
Year Three — Fall
| CJ 304 | Applied 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 312 | Criminal 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 495 | Senior 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 400 | Internship * | 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):
As part of their major program electives, criminal justice majors must complete (12 credits):
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.