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.