Department website: https://www.atu.edu/behaviorsci/

The curriculum in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to prepare students for occupations in a wide variety of industries. This includes policing, security, corrections, social services, and transportation security.  The requirements are innovative and designed to meet policing needs in the 21st century. These include a Spanish language requirement, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) option, and a curriculum that encourages a second minor or major in diverse and impactful areas, including Cybersecurity and Emergency Management. The program affords a transition opportunity for students who have completed an Applied Associate of Science in Law Enforcement Certification or Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. It gives a strong base for graduate study in law, criminal justice, or criminology. Also, completion of the program provides a foundation for the Behavioral Sciences' Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology, which has an emphasis in criminal justice studies.

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See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".

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Complete a minor, an associate's degree or a second degree in one of the following: Sociology, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Political Science, Psychology, Pre-Law, Cybersecurity, or Law Enforcement.

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At least 40 of the total hours required for graduation must be 3000 - 4000 level courses.

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Policing Elective: CJ 3103 The Juvenile Justice System/SOC 3103 The Juvenile Justice System, CJ 3153 Prison and Corrections/SOC 3153 Prison and Corrections or CJ 4033 Policing and Society/SOC 4033 Policing and Society;

Courts Elective: CJ 3023 Judicial Process/POLS 3023 Judicial Process or CJ 4023 Law and the Legal System;

Society Elective: CJ 3083 Social Deviance/SOC 3083 Social Deviance, SOC 4003 Minority Relations, SOC 4023 Sociology of Gender, or SOC 4063 Social Stratification.

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This program partners the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate degree with the Master of Science (MS) in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Students in this accelerated program can substitute SAA 6023 Introduction to Student Affairs Administration, SAA 6033 Student Development Theory, SAA 6043 College Students and Diversity and/or SAA 6073 Counseling Theories and Helping Skills for up to 12 hours of 3000-4000 level criminal justice electives or electives.

Students who complete the program will demonstrate:

• knowledge of criminological theories, qualitative research methods, and institutional practices used in the criminal justice profession. 
• knowledge of crime and the criminal justice system as it relates to broader social and institutional patterns in society by drawing on and integrating sociological and psychological theories.
• an awareness of and ability to follow ethical guidelines and communicate in a manner that is both professional and recognizes diverse perspectives.
• the ability to work collaboratively on class projects or on community based projects focused on social issues related to criminal justice.