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Forensic Criminology - Program Description

The four-year, undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Forensic Criminology is an exciting new program which combines a core concentration in criminology with select courses in the forensic sciences. Throughout this program, students explore the complex interplay between theory and practice in the criminal justice system. Applying the scientific method to criminological theory, individuals who complete the program will be prepared to actively investigate the relationship between criminological research and evidence-based practice in the justice system, and will be poised to begin professional work in criminal justice, or for enrollment in graduate work. The program is interdisciplinary, reflecting the wide range of job opportunities in the field, including: law enforcement, corrections, victim services, juvenile justice and forensic behavioral sciences.

The program requires 3 lower-level core requirements in criminology and the social sciences; 6 upper-level core courses in criminology, forensic science, information management, and research methods; 2 courses from the criminology cluster; and 2 courses from the forensics cluster.

Program Objectives

The primary educational objectives of the BS in Forensic Criminology include:

• Exploring a broad range of liberal arts disciplines, and identifying the ways in which these disciplines are interrelated, both in theory and in practical application of theory;
• Demonstrating facility with conventions of academic and professional discourse;
• Analyzing the foundations and evolution of criminological theory;
• Analyzing the foundations and principles of forensic science and criminological practice, including the systems in which these disciplines are found, as well as the prevailing ethical and practical guidelines for practice in these disciplines and systems;
• Identifying systemic issues and problems in contemporary forensic and criminological practice; and
• Applying research and data to current forensic and criminological practice to investigate potential mechanisms for evidence-based practice to lead change in emerging justice-system reforms.

Career Opportunities

The program is designed intentionally to develop leaders and thinkers of tomorrow, who strive toward the incorporation of evidence-based practice in the justice system. Thus, the student who pursues the BS in Forensic Criminology might find an appropriate career path in any traditional entry-level criminal justice career field, including:

• policing in local, state, or federal jurisdictions;
• corrections at the local, state, or federal level, including probation and parole/community corrections;
• juvenile justice agencies, including juvenile rehabilitation services as well as custody and corrections.

But this program is also intended for students whose interests tend toward areas outside of the traditional “criminal justice” career path of policing or corrections, and offers opportunities to explore:

• the legal field, including legal assistant or other entry-level courts positions;
• criminalistics;
• crime analysis;
• criminal justice researcher or research analyst;
• criminal justice policy analyst;
• victim advocacy or other victim services;
• offender re-entry services;
• rehabilitation services and offender programming;
• restorative justice services;
• child protective/social services;
• governmental administration

Admission Requirements:

• Refer to the table of for admission.
• Students must be prepared to take College Algebra (MATH 121)
• Students must have a high school average of at least 80.
• Students must be prepared to take ENGL 101 or ENGL 102.
• Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Students in the Criminal Investigation, B. Tech. program are required to earn a C or better in all JUST courses taken for credit in the program.

¹ Must be MATH 111 or higher

² Criminology Cluster: Select from JUST 307, JUST 311, JUST 313, JUST 316, JUST 322, JUST 323, JUST 324, JUST 327, JUST 331, JUST339, JUST 340, JUST 345, JUST 350, JUST 351, JUST 404, JUST 421, or JUST 441

³ Forensic Cluster: Select from JUST 300, JUST 301, JUST 303, JUST 320, JUST 330, JUST 346, JUST 370, JUST 402, JUST 410, JUST 411, JUST 412, JUST 423, JUST 422, JUST 424 or JUST 485

⁴ Writing Intensive Course

⁵ JUST 430 Culminating Experience in CJ can be used as a program elective for 3-12 credits during the 8^th semester

U/L=Upper Level Courses (300/400)
GER=General Education Requirement

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