Criminal Justice Systems: BS

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding and a capacity to apply key theoretical orientations, major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in criminal justice.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply ethical perspectives and judgments in employing core knowledge to related problems and changing fact situations. All students will be trained according to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) and must be in compliance and in congruence with the CJS Code of Ethics.
3. Demonstrate orally and in writing the ability to discern, analyze, and evaluate information utilizing sound logic.
4. Apply criminal justice theories and scientific principles learned in the classroom to real-world settings and changing situations.
5. Value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of the criminal justice field and as a science.
6. Demonstrate technological literacy and synthesize information gained through using computer search engines, accessing university library websites, and running computer programs.
7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate both written and orally with appropriate language for the intended audience.
8. Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.
9. Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
10. Pursue realistic ideas about how to implement their knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings that meet personal goals and societal needs.

Training Model

Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Systems includes a common core curriculum across criminal justice disciplines and strives to prepare students to enter the workforce and or to enter a graduate program. An important component of the criminal justice program is its nine-unit capstone sequence where students gain considerable practical training in two field placements, something not typical of most undergraduate programs. The Department provides students a fundamental understanding and appreciation of societal interdependence as well as the development of multicultural and global perspectives. Considerable emphasize on the interdisciplinary nature of learning, trauma informed and ecological perspectives are reinforced. The Program maintains high standards of integrity and quality of a comprehensive criminal justice curriculum as recommended by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) and is seeking accreditation from the ACJS in the coming academic year.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

A total of 120 units are required, 60 of which may be transferred in or taken in the Universities multi-global general education program. Another 60 of which must be earned in the program.

Courses are 3 units, unless otherwise indicated.

Curriculum Plan

Criminal Justice: BS Program Faculty

Core faculty for the Criminal Justice: BS Program are listed below:

Daniel Blumberg, PhD, Associate Professor

Dawn Griffin, PhD, Assistant Professor and Program Director

For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of faculty  for the California School of Forensic Studies.