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Criminology and Criminal Justice - Online - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
WR 121Z4Writing Composition4Science/Math Elective3
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4  
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits10-12

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry(UNST 234)4Sophomore Inquiry4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement-International3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
General Elective4General Elective4BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits13-17

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring CreditsSummer CoursesSummer Credits
CCJ 3004CCJ 3804CCJ 4204CCJ 3404
CCJ 3034CCJ 320U4CCJ 3014CCJ 330U4
USP 313U4USP 325U4USP 324U4  
Total Fall Credits12Total Winter Credits12Total Spring Credits12Total Summer Credits8

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring CreditsSummer CoursesSummer Credits
CCJ 4044CCJ 4044Senior Capstone6CCJ UD Elective4
CCJ 3104CCJ UD Elective4CCJ 3174CCJ UD Elective4
CCJ Elective4CCJ UD Elective4CCJ Elective4  
Total Fall Credits12Total Winter Credits12Total Spring Credits14Total Summer Credits8

Additional Map Notes:

  • Writing Composition: University Writing Requirement requires two courses. SINQ classes can be used. If you are not required to take any SINQ courses, make sure to take at least two Composition focused courses(including WR 121Z).
  • Sophomore Inquiry(UNST 234): University Writing Requirement requires two courses. SINQ classes can be used. If you are not required to take any SINQ courses, make sure to take at least two Composition focused courses(including WR 121Z).
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement-International: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience. CCJ 317 satisfies this category. The second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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