The Criminal Justice Major

Criminal justice is a true multidisciplinary field of study. It is by informed by the study of law, sociology, political science, history, psychology, economics, geography, political and social philosophy, and the natural sciences. Criminal justice is thus quite broad and encompasses diverse content and methods. The criminal justice major at St. Thomas Aquinas College prepares students for a wide range of careers in law enforcement, the courts and corrections in local, state or federal levels of government, as well as in private and not-for-profit organizations. The degree also provides a solid foundation for further academic pursuits in graduate or professional school, for careers in teaching, research, policy, social work and the law.

The criminal justice program at St. Thomas Aquinas College has at its base the exploration and understanding of the interrelationships among crime and criminal behavior, the criminal justice system and society. Students will acquire and refine critical thinking skills that can be applied to issues, problems, practices and policies in criminal justice. Students will also be exposed to the requirements of ethical practice in criminal justice. The program encourages a commitment to social justice, enabling students to develop as informed citizens of a democracy which is concerned with fair, humane and respectful treatment of every citizen in our multicultural society while balancing the need to effectively address problems of crime and its control.

The criminal justice major requires students to complete a broad array of courses in criminal justice and criminology, including contemporary problems and topics as well as offerings in comparative criminal justice and global issues; the social sciences; and research methods. The criminal justice program also emphasizes the importance of the college’s core curriculum in the liberal arts. Evaluations are multifaceted and include oral and written examinations, debates, reaction papers and research reports, quality of class participation, and projects. Major themes of the program are the dedication to lifelong learning and the ability to engage in critical thinking and analysis. To achieve these goals, students are expected to gain information literacy and technological competence, to be able to communicate effectively in speech and in writing; and to develop library research skills.

The Major in Criminal Justice leads to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and requires 48 credit hours of study. All students must also complete the College Core composed of a selection of English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Fine Arts, Music, Communication Arts and Foreign Language courses as well as courses in Mathematics, Science, Computer Information Science, and History. A series of Free Elective courses round out the 120 credits required for the degree.

The Criminal Justice Major is composed of four (4) required courses and twelve (12) elective courses. The Introduction to Criminal Justice course as well as Criminology, Criminal Justice Problems, and Research Methods in Social Sciences are required of all students.

The Major in Criminal Justice is completed with twelve (12) elective courses taken under advisement. Ten (10) of these courses are arranged in four broad groups and students are strongly encouraged to meet with their Academic Advisor for courses selection. First, three (3) courses are selected to provide broader/stronger foundations in Criminal Justice. Second, one (1) course is selected from an area of personal interest to the student (e.g., Probation and Parole, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, etc.). Third, students are required to make three (3) choices from various social science disciplines such as Geography, Psychology, and/or Sociology to broaden their understanding. Fourth, three courses are selected at the upper division (300/400) level to deepen the student's grasp of the discipline. Finally, students must choose two (2) courses in American History under advisement.

Advanced students may opt for the Criminal Justice Practicum as part of their course of studies. The Practicum requires an application to the Division Chair as well as the following: Junior/Senior academic standing, an overall GPA of 2.50 or better, a Criminal Justice GPA of 2.50 or better, and the recommendation of one of the full-time members of the Criminal Justice Faculty. (Students are encouraged to register during the Fall or Spring terms since this course may not be offered during the Winter or Summer sessions.)