The criminal justice program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry level positions in the criminal justice field. The program also offers opportunities for current criminal justice employees to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Scroll to the end for the list of specialty courses.
Quarter 1 (15 credits)
CJ& 101 Introduction to criminal justice (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
PSYC& 100 General psychology (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
- Learn about criminal justice careers as part of CJ& 101.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (16 credits)
CJ& 110 Criminal law (3 credits)
ENGL& 230 Technical writing (3 credits)
IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences (5 credits)
or Any course designated Computation (CP) (5 credits) [Note: MATH 97 or MATH 99 required or recommended]
Choice of specialty course (5 credits)
Quarter 3 (13 credits)
CJ 250 Criminal investigation / interviewing techniques (3 credits)
CMST& 101 Introduction to communication (5 credits)
or CMST& 220 Public speaking (5 credits)
or CMST& 230 Small group communication (5 credits)
or CMST 245 Introduction to organizational communication (5 credits)
PHIL 130 Introduction to ethics (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Quarter 4 (16 credits)
CJ 109 Community relations (3 credits)
CJ 245 Laws of arrest, search & seizure (3 credits)
SPAN& 121 Spanish I (5 credits)
or Other world language (5 credits)
or Proficiency in a world language as demonstrated by an approved exam (5 credits)
Choice of specialty course (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about criminal justice issues or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
CJ& 240 Introduction to forensic science (5 credits)
SOC 250 Multicultural issues (5 credits)
Choice of specialty course (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Work on your resume through the Career Center.
- Meet with the Cooperative Education Coordinator to discuss internship opportunities.
Action items:
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
CJ 190 Criminal justice internship (2 credits)
CJ 275 Patrol procedures (3 credits)
Choice of specialty course (5 credits)
Choice of specialty course, elective and/or additional internship credits (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Criminal justice specialty courses
Choose 20-25 credits from this list.
- BTEC 101 Intro to business computing (5)
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication (5)
- POLS& 202 American government (5)
- PSYC 211 Social psychology
- PSYC& 220 Abnormal psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SPAN& 122 Spanish II (or other world language)
- SPAN& 123 Spanish III (or other world language)
- Any physical or biological science in ANTH, ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, GEOL, IDS, NUTR, OCEA, PHYS or PHYSC
