The Department of Criminal Justice at Plymouth State University aims to serve students interested in a variety of careers spanning law enforcement, investigations, court administration, corrections, juvenile services, loss prevention, as well as graduate or law school. Consistent with the general mission of Plymouth State University, the department seeks to produce well-rounded graduates who are equipped to both continue their education and enter the work force. In addition, the department serves the surrounding community, not only by producing high quality graduates well prepared to enter their field, but also by partnering with local and regional agencies to provide academic and research support.
Students in the BS in criminal justice program focus on career preparation. The program includes a heavy emphasis on the criminal justice system itself, and how the branches of the system operate together and independently. Students develop skills in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, problem solving techniques, communication skills, data analysis skills, and technical writing skills, along with an appreciation for ethical and professional behavior in the field. Upon completion of the program, students will be well prepared for a variety of criminal justice careers. Students will also have developed an independent sense of self, with a tolerance toward others and the ability to work in diverse cultures.
If you’re interested in a career in law enforcement, court administration, corrections, juvenile services, or graduate or law school, Plymouth State University offers two options: the BA in criminology and the BS in criminal justice. Both offer challenging coursework, hands-on learning opportunities, and community-based internships that will help you build your leadership, communication, and collaborative skills. You’ll learn from faculty members who are leaders and professionals in their fields and are dedicated to helping you excel in your studies.
Curriculum & Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| CJ 1020 | Criminal Justice in Action | 4 |
| CJ 2025 | Police and society | 4 |
| CJ 2045 | Criminal Procedure | 4 |
| CJ 2075 | Corrections | 4 |
| CJ/SO 2080 | Crime and Criminals | 4 |
| CJ 2090 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| CJ/PY 3157 | Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO) | 4 |
| CJ 3225 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO) | 4 |
| CJ 3260 | Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| CJ 3450 | Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| Capstone | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
CJ 4580 | Internship in Criminal Justice Four credits of CJ 4580 cannot double count as Major Elective credits; eight credits of CJ 4580 will satisfy Major Elective and Capstone requirements | |
CJ 4805 | Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO) | |
| Major Electives | ||
| Complete one course from the following: 1 | 4 | |
AN 3605 | Forensic Anthropology | |
CJ 3005 | Criminal Investigation | |
CJ 3015 | Cybercrime | |
CJ 3025 | Forensic Science | |
CJ 3075 | Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO) | |
CJ 3110 | Youth and Crime | |
CJ 3270 | Explaining Crime | |
CJ 3350 | Criminal Justice and Mental Health | |
CJ 3405 | Homeland Security | |
CJ 3515 | Women and Crime (DICO,GACO) | |
CJ 3600 | Restorative Justice Practice with Youth | |
CJ 3720 | Topics in Criminal Justice | |
PO 3635 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | |
SO 3085 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
SO 3185 | Sociology of Deviance (DICO) | |
SO 3270 | ||
SO 3375 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO) | |
SO 3385 | ||
| General Education | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 2 | 4-8 | |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone 3-4 | 0-4 |
| Electives | 37-39 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Several of the Major Electives have prerequisites; see their course description for details.
- 2
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundation | 3-4 |
| CJ 1020 | Criminal Justice in Action | 4 |
| CJ 2025 | Police and society | 4 |
| CJ 2080 | Crime and Criminals | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 0-4 | |
| Credits | 29-36 | |
| Year Two | ||
| CJ 2045 | Criminal Procedure | 4 |
| CJ 2075 | Corrections | 4 |
| CJ 2090 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| Elective | 2-8 | |
| Credits | 24-36 | |
| Year Three | ||
| CJ 3225 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO) | 4 |
| CJ 3260 | Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| CJ 3450 | Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| Complete one Major Elective from the following: | 4 | |
AN 3605 |
Forensic Anthropology | |
CJ 3005 |
Criminal Investigation | |
CJ 3015 |
Cybercrime | |
CJ 3025 |
Forensic Science | |
CJ 3075 |
Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO) | |
CJ 3110 |
Youth and Crime | |
CJ 3270 |
Explaining Crime | |
CJ 3350 |
Criminal Justice and Mental Health | |
CJ 3405 |
Homeland Security | |
CJ 3515 |
Women and Crime (DICO,GACO) | |
CJ 3600 |
Restorative Justice Practice with Youth | |
CJ 3720 |
Topics in Criminal Justice | |
PO 3635 |
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | |
SO 3085 |
Juvenile Delinquency | |
SO 3185 |
Sociology of Deviance (DICO) | |
SO 3375 |
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO) | |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 10-13 | |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone 3-4 | 0-4 |
| Credits | 29-37 | |
| Year Four | ||
| CJ/PY 3157 | Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO) | 4 |
| Complete one Capstone Course from the following: | 4 | |
CJ 4580 or CJ 4805 |
Internship in Criminal Justice or Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO) |
|
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 18-21 | |
| Credits | 29-33 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
- Demonstrate an understanding of criminal law, justice system processes, terminology, and history,
- Apply criminological theory and research methodology to the practice of criminal justice
- Analyze and evaluate moral and ethical perspectives as related to the field of criminal justice,
- Demonstrate technical competencies, and verbal and written communication skills,
- Describe and evaluate the principles of scientific methodology to become informed consumers of criminal justice research, and
- Identify and appraise the presence of biases and prejudices and the role of diversity (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic, age, disabilities) in the application of justice
- Airport Security
- ATF Agent
- Border Patrol Agent
- Child Support Agency Worker
- Correctional Officer
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Criminal Investigator
- DEA Agent
- FBI Agent
- Homeland Security Officer
- Juvenile Probation/Parole Officer
- Loss Prevention Specialist
- Parole Officer
- Police Officer
- Postal Inspector
- Prison Warden
- Private Investigator
- Private Security Officer
- Probation Officer
- Secret Service Special Agent
- Security Services Specialist
- U.S. Marshall
- Victim Advocate
- Youth Service Worker/Coordinator
Explore Program Details
Panther Spotlight
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“I’m interested in why people commit crime and how to prevent it,” says Sinclair, who came to Plymouth State to study criminology and psychology, Eventually, he hopes to attend law school and become a lawyer focused on crime prevention, rather than incarceration.Learn More
IDEA Ambassador Spotlight
IDEA Ambassador Precious Rodriguez '24
Precious Destiny Rodriguez, a criminal justice major, began working at the IDEA Center because she believes that the difference we wish to see in the world that starts with us. “Someone has to take the first step and we will always be better together,” she says. To her, diversity means coming together while acknowledging and accepting everyone's differences.
In her free time, you can find Precious listening to music as she finds it to be “the only thing that’s quiet” in her busy life.
If ever to be found within a movie, you’d find Precious in Aladdin, specifically as Rajah.
Our IDEA ambassadors work hard to advance diversity, equity, and social justice across our campus and beyond.
Explore Today.
Realize Tomorrow.
