Criminal Justice, B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice prepares students to work in fields addressing the effects of criminality on individuals, communities and society. The bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice equips graduates to serve in law enforcement, courts or corrections systems, work with children and families in Human Services settings, and work in related private industries.
The program is conveniently offered in both online only and face-to-face formats.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
At the completion of the B.A. in Criminal Justice program, students will be able to:
PLO1. Develop and articulate a personal philosophy of professionalism, ethics, and service to the community, the society, and the criminal justice profession.
PLO2. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing about criminal justice issues.
PLO3. Critically analyze the philosophical, conceptual, and theoretical frameworks of criminal justice.
PLO4. Perform research, assess credibility of information, and examine criminal justice issues from multiple perspectives.
PLO5. Apply Criminal Justice theory and skills in the professional environment.
Program Details:
- Requires 180 QH including 60 QH of General Education for completion
- Requires a minimum grade of “C” in Core courses
- Credit for Prior Learning is accepted for general education, elective credit and as determined appropriate by the faculty, toward program major requirements
- Student may complete a concentration in Social Services or Criminal Justice Administration
- Students may also complete any minor or concentration that is not in the same area of study as their program major. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor to select a minor or concentration that best fits their career and personal goals.
Required Courses
Research Methods
| RES 200 | Research, Writing, and Analysis | 1 |
Note: RES 200 is required for students completing a fully-online program.
Communications - 15QH
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in humanities and fine arts, in addition to another course in humanities or fine arts.
Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH
| MTH 101 | Introduction to Mathematical Concepts | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any college-level mathematics course.
Physical and Life Sciences - 10QH
| SCI 101 | Physical Science | 5 |
| | and | |
| SCI 102 | Survey of Biological Science with Lab | 5 |
| | or | |
| SCI 225 | Human Impact on Environment | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one course in any physical science and one course in any life science.
Social and Behavioral Sciences - 15QH
Choose two Social Science courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today's Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| | and | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in social and behavioral sciences.
Additional General Education Requirements
Students must complete GEN 103 and one of the following course options:
Pathways Students
| GEN 210 | Think Global-Perspectives from the Field | 3 TO 5 |
| | and | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| | or | |
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| | and | |
| BRV 201 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge | 2 |
| | or | |
| CAR 217 | Workplace Leadership | 2 |
Transfer Students
| CAR 202 | Creating Professional Identity | 2 |
| CAR 203 | You The Professional | 0 TO 2 |
Note: GEN 103 may be waived for on-campus students who (1) enter NLU with an associate’s degree or 90 or more quarter credit hours of transfer credit; and (2) have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or above in their previous undergraduate studies. GEN 210 is required for Pathways students only.
Core Courses - 60 QH
| CSJ 106 | Law Enforcement | 5 |
| CSJ 107 | Criminal Justice System | 5 |
| CSJ 205 | Criminology | 5 |
| CSJ 206 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 5 |
| CSJ 207 | Punishment, Prisons and Corrections | 5 |
| CSJ 208 | Courts and Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CSJ 209 | Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CSJ 352 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CSJ 353 | Criminal Investigations | 5 |
| CSJ 354 | Sociology of Deviant Behavior for Criminal Justice Professionals | 5 |
| CSJ 355 | Ethics, Diversity, and Professionalism in Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CAR 490 | Internship Practicum | 5 |
Electives
Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing any minor or concentration in consultation with your Academic Advisor.