Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The objective of the criminology and criminal justice major is to prepare students for work in the criminal justice system, including jobs in local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and probation and parole. The major also is appropriate preparation for graduate study in the social sciences and law. The major gives students a strong foundation in criminology and sociology while simultaneously emphasizing how academic knowledge can be applied in occupational settings. Skills can be developed in oral and written communication, critical thinking, scientific research methods, statistics and computerized data analysis.

Current Longwood students with a GPA below 2.50 will not be accepted as Criminology and Criminal Justice majors. Students may reapply after their GPA has increased to 2.50.

Civitae Core Requirements (39-40 credits)

Civitae Core

Criminology/Criminal Justice majors may count Civitae Core courses satisfying major requirements as also satisfying their respective Civitae Core requirements, up to two Pillar courses and one Perspectives course.

Courses satisfying major requirements that are designated as Civitae Core courses subsequent to the print deadline of this Catalog will be eligible to also satisfy Civitae Core requirements, subject to the above rules. (If doing so would otherwise decrease the total credits required for the degree below 120, General Elective credit must be substituted to restore the total.)

Additional Degree Requirements

Additional Degree Requirements for BS: 3-4 credits

Undergraduate Major Requirements (42 credits)

CRIM 100 - Survey of Criminal Justice 3 credits
CRIM 200 - Introduction to Corrections 3 credits
CRIM 205 - Introduction to the U.S. Court System 3 credits
CRIM 210 - Introduction to Policing 3 credits
CRIM 402 - Criminological Theory 3 credits
CRIM 455 - Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice Professionals 3 credits
CRIM 461 - Senior Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3 credits
SOCL 345 - Social Research and Program Evaluation 3 credits (fall semester)
SOCL 346 - Statistics for the Social Sciences 3 credits (spring semester)

Choose 12 credits from the following:

CRIM 200 - CRIM 499 excluding courses listed in the core above
POSC 357 - Constitutional Rights and Liberties 3 credits
SOCL 205 - Deviance 3 credits.
SOCL 233 - Introduction to Social Inequality and Difference 3 credits
SOCL 351 - Sociology of Family Violence 3 credits
SOCL 376 - Sociology of Law 3 credits.

Choose three credits from the following

CRIM 490 - Directed Independent Study 1-6 credits
CRIM 492 - Internship in Criminology and Criminal Justice 1-15 credits
CRIM 494 - Civic Engagement for Criminal Justice Students 1-15 credits

No grade below C- is accepted for graduation in major coursework

General Electives

General Electives for BS Degree: 34-36 credits

Total Credits Required

BS in Criminology/Criminal Justice 120