Students learn how a society maintains social control while
protecting individual rights and how to apply the constitution
to everyday life. Students discuss what causes criminal
behavior, and what makes effective crime policy. They learn how
to control, deter and punish crime and they understand the role
of police, prosecutors, the courts, defense attorneys, juries,
jails and prisons. The major is divided into three components: a
lower division 15-hour core that serves as a basis for the
fundamentals of criminal justice and is consistent with IAI
guidelines; an upper division 18-hour core requirement; and a
six-hour criminal justice elective component. The major includes
a capstone course designed to identify and analyze “real-life”
issues facing criminal justice agencies, as well as techniques
for developing and proposing solutions to constituents. Grade of
C- or higher required in all major courses.