Criminology and Criminal Justice Campus Undergraduate Bachelors

Program Description

Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) is an interdisciplinary social science devoted to the study of the crime causation and crime control (Criminology) along with the operations of the legal system (Criminal Justice). Our campus-based bachelor’s degree program provides students with a broad base of knowledge about crime, offenders, victims, and the justice system. This includes coverage of criminological theories, research on crime prevention and crime control policy, and current practices in policing, courts, and corrections. Examination of these issues occurs at individual, community, and societal levels. Through our curriculum we foster skills in critical reasoning, problem solving, and written and oral communication.

Degree Requirements

The bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 69 total credits in CCJ coursework. All classes used to satisfy Criminology and Criminal Justice major requirements, whether taken at PSU or elsewhere, must be passed with a grade of "C" (2.00 GPA) or above. In consultation with a Criminology and Criminal Justice advisor, students can transfer up to 20 credits from a regionally accredited college or university toward the Criminology and Criminal Justice major requirements.

Students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice complete courses in three distinct categories (this is in addition to meeting general University requirements):

Required Courses (40 credit hours)

• CCJ 200 Criminology and Criminal Justice
• CCJ 230 Policing in America
• CCJ 240 Punishment and Corrections
• CCJ 310 American Courts
• CCJ 317 Race, Crime and Criminal Justice
• CCJ 320 Theories of Crime
• CCJ 330 Crime Control Strategies
• CCJ 340 Crime Analysis
• CCJ 380 Criminal Justice Research
• CCJ 420 Criminal Law and Legal Reasoning

Elective Courses (24 credit hours)

The Criminology and Criminal Justice department offer a wide range of elective courses each year that allow students to tailor their degree to meet particular interests or career aspirations. A maximum of 8 of the 24 credits can be taken at the lower division level (100- or 200-level course).  The remainder (16 credits) must be upper-division CCJ elective courses (300- or 400-level). 

Required Internship (CCJ 404, 8 credit hours)

Criminology and Criminal Justice’s internship program provides students an opportunity to experience the working environment of a criminal justice agency, to explore career options, and to develop relationships with professionals in the field (learn more about the benefits of an internship). Additional information about the Internship is provided below.

Courses

The curriculum is largely delivered via in-person classes on PSU’s campus. Some of the courses are periodically offered online or as hybrid course (partially online).

Be sure to visit the Criminology and Criminal Justice Campus Undergraduate Courses page for information about course description and term offerings.

Please note that the courses and academic terms are subject to change. Students should consult the University’s official classes list for the most up-to-date schedule.

Transfer Credits

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program at PSU has extensive experience with undergraduate transfer students. More than one-half of our students transfer into PSU from the local community colleges and regional Universities so you are likely to run into old classmates.  The Criminology and Criminal Justice Program has agreements with all Oregon community colleges and some Washington community colleges allowing specific courses to automatically substitute for specific Criminology and Criminal Justice courses. Other transfer credits from regionally accredited community colleges, four-year colleges and universities are determined by PSU upon admission.

See how your criminal justice courses from Oregon and Washington community colleges transfer into PSU’s Criminology and Criminal Justice undergraduate programs.

Advising

The College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA), where the Criminology & Criminal Justice department is housed, has professional advisors available to assist students. This includes support for transferring into PSU, understanding BA/BS and general university requirements, course planning for the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, preparing for graduation, and provision of general program information.

Criminology and Criminal Justice majors are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor to ensure that they are on track to graduate.