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
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ART 105 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art | 5 |
| ART 106 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I | 2 |
| ART 107 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II | 3 |
| HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
Program Specific General Education Requirements
General Education Electives
This area may be satisfied by two courses in any general education category listed above or other courses consistent with integrated general education competencies. These courses may not be needed if student is completing the program specific general education requirements listed above.
Additional General Education Requirements
| GEN 103 | Student Success Seminar | 5 |
| | or | |
| GEN 203 | NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success | 3 |
Note: GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete GEN 203.
Career Development Requirements
First-time Daytime Students
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| | or | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| | and | |
| CAR 295 | Career Service Learning | 5 |
| CAR 218 | Internship Application Workshop | 0 |
Note:
CAR 218 may be waived for students who have an internship accepted in Handshake prior to Winter term of the junior year.
Transfer Students
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| | or | |
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| | or | |
| CAR 202 | Creating Professional Identity | 0 TO 2 |
| | and | |
| CAR 203 | You The Professional | 3 |
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.