Program Description
The Justice Studies program is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students a broad understanding of the justice system and issues related to the administration of justice. As a multi-disciplinary program, it will encompass those disciplines in the humanities and social sciences that are relevant to an understanding of justice. Courses from political science, sociology, law, philosophy, history, and other disciplines that contribute to a greater understanding of justice and of issues related to crime, corrections and the administration of justice, will be an integral part of the program. The program will prepare students for professional positions in the justice system or in justice-related agencies, as well as to seek graduate and professional degrees in law, public policy or other fields relevant to the administration of justice.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will:
∙ demonstrate writing, quantitative, and communication skills within the discipline.
∙ demonstrate the ability to analyze and critique professional literature.
∙ know and be able to apply theoretical and methodological approaches to justice studies ideas.
∙ demonstrate the ability to write competent papers, review the literature, and analyze primary sources.
Major Requirements
A student with a major in Justice Studies must complete a minimum of 42 hours of upper (3000/4000) division courses. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each justice studies course. Students are required to complete 120 internship hours to qualify for graduation.
In support of the major area, the student is required to complete at least six (6) semester hours of philosophy and six (6) semester hours of a foreign language (or its equivalent).
The student who majors in Justice Studies is strongly encouraged to seek proficiency in conversational Spanish. Students should also take three (3) semester hours of course work in each of the following areas: geography, political science, sociology, and statistics.
Co-Requisite Courses (12 semester hours)
Geography (3 hours)
Political Science (3 hours)
Sociology (3 hours)
Statistics (3 hours)
Major Courses (51 semester hours)
JUS 2301/Introduction to Justice Studies
JUS 2302/Research Methods in Justice Studies I
JUS 3310/Police & Community
JUS 3335/Justice Administration
JUS 3337/Court Procedure & Evidence
JUS 3342/Comparative Justice Systems Or JUS 4322/Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies
JUS 3344/The Political Economy of Justice Or JUS 3382/Class, Race, Gender & Justice
JUS 3345/Strategic Approaches to Community Justice
JUS 3355/Criminal Law
JUS 3361/Juvenile Justice
JUS 4302/Research Methods in Justice Studies II*
JUS 4342/Technological Analysis
JUS 4344/Corrections
JUS 4391/Internship in Justice Studies
JUS Electives (6 semester hours at the 3000/4000 level)
Course Notes
*Students must take JUS 2302 before they can take JUS 4302
Minor Requirements
A minimum of 18 semester hours with a grade of “C” or higher in each course is required for a minor in Justice Studies. To satisfy the requirements for a minor, students must take JUS 2301 (Introduction to Justice Studies), which is a prerequisite to all other Justice Studies courses, as well as JUS 2302 (Research Methods in Justice Studies I). Students may choose any combination of other Justice Studies courses to fulfill the remaining 12-semester-hour requirement.
Courses
JUS 2301/Introduction to Justice Studies
JUS 2302/Research Methods in Justice Studies I
JUS 2310/Theories of Justice Studies*
JUS 2320/Introduction to Forensic Science*
JUS 3310/Police & Community
JUS 3335/Justice Administration
JUS 3336 /The Judicial Process*
JUS 3337/Court Procedure & Evidence
JUS 3342/Comparative Justice Systems Or JUS 4322/Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies
JUS 3344/The Political Economy of Justice Or JUS 3382/Class, Race, Gender & Justice
JUS 3345/Strategic Approaches to Community Justice
JUS 3346 /Sociology of Law*
JUS 334 7/Drugs, Crime, and Justice*
JUS 3350/Victims and Justice *
JUS 3355/Criminal Law
JUS 3361/Juvenile Justice
JUS 4302/Research Methods in Justice Studies II
JUS 4330/Social Justice*
JUS 4342/Technological Analysis
JUS 4344/Corrections
JUS 4369/Constitutional Law*
JUS 4391/Internship in Justice Studies
*Indicates JUS electives. JUS electives are not required but can be used as a part of the paradigm. The student who is enrolled in a JUS elective must successful pass the course with a “C” or higher.
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