Criminal Justice Studies Major (CJSJ)

Criminal Justice Studies Program

Zoann K. Snyder, Director
3215 Sangren Hall
(269) 387-5278

Criminal Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to provide perspective on crime and (in)justice at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The program is designed to provide a well-rounded, theoretical, and practical education necessary for careers in criminal justice and/or graduate work in law, criminology, or other areas.

The Criminal Justice Studies Major requires 37 hours of core and specialized classes including: Criminology, Critical Issues in Criminal Justice, Policing and Society, Courts and Society, Punishment and Society, Juvenile Delinquency and Justice, Sociology of Deviance, Women and Justice, Race Ethnicity and Justice, and Methods of Data Collection and Analysis. Students have the choice of two substantive tracks of study, Criminal Justice or Justice studies. Specialized coursework includes options for study in such areas as violence and victimology, climate change and environmental justice, technology and society, and drugs and society. Social Justice and Service Learning, and Internships provide students with field service experience. Specialized work in law enforcement is available as well as certification as a Michigan police officer.

A minimum grade of “C” or better is required for all Criminal Justice coursework.

Curriculum and program details may be found under Sociology/Criminal Justice.

Criminal Justice Studies Major

This program offers an interdisciplinary understanding of the impact of justice and injustice on individuals, communities, institutions and/or nations. Students engage in the study of how crime and justice are linked to power, ideology, social control, and social change in our contemporary society, Students select a substantive study track in one of two areas.

The Criminal Justice Track focuses on criminal justice structures and processes. The program explores crime as a social problem and society’s reactions to it, the organization and operation of police, courts and punishment, as well as causes of crime and delinquency and other current issues.

The Justice Studies Track focuses on sustainable and just solutions to social, political and economic problems. The program explores critical issues related to socioeconomic, racial/ethnic and gender justice, cultural identity, human rights, human relationships to the environment, deviant behavior and social control policies.

While the goal of the program is to provide knowledge and skills necessary for students interested in careers in criminal justice, it will support a number of related areas. In addition, students will be well prepared to pursue professional or graduate work in law, criminology, or other areas.

Students should consider internships for the fall, spring and summer sessions. Not all students are guaranteed internships and some placements require the applicant to undergo security checks. Applications are required. Further information and application forms may be obtained at the Criminal Justice office, 3215 Sangren Hall, email: zoann.snyder@wmich.edu

A minimum grade of “C” or better is required for all Criminal Justice coursework.

Required Prerequisites

The following courses are required before taking any of the core courses. These hours are not included in the 37 hour requirement for the major.

SOC 2000 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3 hours
OR
SOC 2100 - Modern Social Problems Credits: 3 hours
SOC 2600 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies Credits: 3 hours

Writing Expectation

Students should have completed ENGL 1050 or equivalent and write at the college level before enrolling in the following advanced courses.

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirements

Students who have chosen the Criminal Justice major will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing requirement by successfully completing the following course:

SOC 4660 - Advanced Criminology Credits: 3 hours

Required Core Courses (16 hours)

All of the following courses are required. It is important to check with the advisor so courses are taken in proper sequence.

SOC 3620 - Criminology Credits: 3 hours
SOC 3690 - Critical Issues in Criminal Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4660 - Advanced Criminology Credits: 3 hours

Required Research Methods

SOC 2820 - Methods of Data Collection Credits: 3 hours
SOC 2830 - Methods of Data Analysis Credits: 4 hours

Substantive Tracks (Choose One Track - 9 hours)

Students must complete SOC 3690 or the baccalaureate-level writing course in one’s major or curriculum or have instructor approval before advancing to 4000-level courses.

Criminal Justice Track (Choose Three Courses)

SOC 3640 - Policing and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 3630 - Courts and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 3650 - Punishment and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4540 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits: 3 hours

Justice Studies Track (Choose Three Courses)

SOC 3150 - Sociology of Deviance Credits: 3 hours
SOC 3160 - Women and Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 3680 - Race, Ethnicity, and Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4110 - Climate Change and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4370 - Environmental Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4400 - Corporate and Governmental Crime Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4520 - Drugs and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4930 - Family Violence Credits: 3 hours

Electives (Choose Three Courses - 9 hours)

Students must complete SOC 3690 or the baccalaureate-level writing course in one’s major or curriculum or have instructor permission before advancing to 4000-level courses. Courses can be selected from the list below OR from the alternate Track above.

SOC 3140 - Race in America Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4120 - Child Abuse Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4420 - Technology and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4440 - Technologies and Controversies in Criminal Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4460 - Surveillance and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4480 - Media, Crime, and Society Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4920 - The Family as a Social Institution Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4950 - Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice: Variable Topics Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(3 hours needed)
SOC 5620 - Victimology Credits: 3 hours

Investigation, Discovery, and Experience (Choose One Course - 3 hours)

SOC 2610 - Law Enforcement Certification - Variable Topics Credits: 1 to 8 hours
SOC 4340 - Social Justice and Service Learning Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4750 - Applied Research in Criminal Justice Credits: 3 hours
SOC 4960 - Criminal Justice Studies Internship Credits: 1 to 6 hours
SOC 5980 - Directed Individual Study Credits: 2 to 6 hours