Online Undergraduate Minor in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Program Description

Students who are majoring in other fields at PSU have the opportunity to add Criminology and Criminal Justice as a minor. This foundation is a professional advantage for students seeking a career that interfaces regularly with criminal justice agencies, crime prevention organizations, and special populations, such as crime victims, at-risk youth, parole and probation populations, and populations with mental health and substance use disorders. The Criminology and Criminal Justice minor is also a valuable addition for students majoring in fields that focus on addressing and solving problems at a community, national or international level. In fact, crime and justice issues arise in different ways in virtually all fields of employment. A Criminology and Criminal Justice minor helps students prepare for their career, no matter what major they choose.

Degree Requirements

A minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice requires 32 credits in Criminology and Criminal Justice coursework. All classes used to satisfy Criminology and Criminal Justice minor requirements must be passed with a grade of "C" (2.00 GPA) or above.

Students seeking a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice complete courses in three distinct categories (this is in addition to meeting other University and major requirements):

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

These three required courses provide students with foundational knowledge and skills related to the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

• CCJ 300 Criminology and Criminal Justice
• CCJ 320U Theories of Crime
• CCJ 330U Crime Control Strategies

Specialization Course (4 credit hours)

Students choose one of the following courses according to their own area of interest.

• CCJ 301 Policing in America
• CCJ 303 Punishment and Corrections
• CCJ 310 American Courts

Elective Courses (16 credit hours)

Any Criminology Criminal Justice course not used to satisfy the above requirements counts as an elective. A minimum of 8 of the 16 elective credits must be taken at the upper division level. Upper division (UD) courses have numbers are listed in the range from 300 to 499.

Visit CCJ Online course page for course descriptions and Criminology and Criminal Justice Online course calendar.

CCJ Online Tuition & Admission Requirements

While Criminology and Criminal Justice Online offers the same minor as the CCJ campus-based program, there are important differences in terms of program admission steps, courses tuition, advising, and course pacing. Complete CCJ Online information is available on the Criminology and Criminal Justice Online Pathway page. 

Getting Started and Getting Help

Enrollment Advisor Chelsey Huff is here to help! Chelsey works with prospective students exploring the Criminology and Criminal Justice Online program options, incoming students who have started the PSU application process, and new CCJ Online students to get ready for their first term. Chelsey can answer a wide variety of questions about admissions requirements, transfer credits, financial aid, Criminology and Criminal Justice course content, career opportunities, PSU resources, and more. Contact CCJ Online's Enrollment Advisor by emailing CCJO@pdx.edu

Visit the Criminology and Criminal Justice Online Advising Center for more information.