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

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system. It also establishes an understanding of criminological theories and the societal implications of crime. Our mission is to foster critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and research proficiency, empowering students to analyze the complexities of crime and justice in contemporary society.

This program prepares students for diverse career paths in law enforcement, corrections, courts, security, social services, and related fields. The curriculum is innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of the criminal justice landscape, incorporating essential components such as hands-on learning experiences, a Spanish language requirement, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training, and opportunities for interdisciplinary study in areas like Cybersecurity and Emergency Management. Graduates will be well-prepared for entry-level positions in various sectors or to pursue advanced studies in law, criminal justice, criminology, or related disciplines. The program also provides a strong foundation for those interested in pursuing graduate education in behavioral sciences or social work.

A degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology provides a versatile foundation for a variety of career paths in many fields, and this program is aligned to three Accelerated MS Programs. See the curriculum tab footnotes for details.

Example of careers undergraduate students often pursue include:

Law Enforcement and Public Safety

• Police Officer
• Detective
• Federal Agent (e.g., FBI, DEA, ATF)
• Campus Security Officer

Corrections and Rehabilitation

• Correctional Officer
• Probation or Parole Officer
• Juvenile Justice Counselor
• Rehabilitation Specialist

Legal and Court Services

• Court Clerk
• Victim Advocate
• Legal Assistant
• Bailiff

Security and Risk Management

• Security Manager
• Loss Prevention Specialist
• Transportation Security Officer
• Corporate Security Analyst

Social Services and Community Outreach

• Social Worker (with additional qualifications)
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Crisis Intervention Specialist
• Substance Abuse Counselor

Research and Policy Analysis

• Criminal Justice Research Analyst
• Policy Advisor
• Data Analyst in Criminal Justice
• Program Evaluator

Cybersecurity and Emergency Management

• Cybersecurity Analyst (with additional training)
• Emergency Management Coordinator
• Disaster Response Specialist
• Risk Assessment Consultant

¹

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

²

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.

³

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

⁴

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.

⁵

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.

⁶

This program partners the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate degree with the Master of Science (MS) in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Students in this accelerated program can substitute up to twelve (12) hours of emergency management courses from the following: nine (9) hours from the graduate core: EMHS 6063 Principles of Emergency Management, EMHS 6093 Principles of Homeland Security, and EMHS 6103 Research Design and Methods, and three (3) electives from any approved EMHS course for up to 12 hours of 3000-4000 criminal justice electives or electives.

Theoretical Knowledge

• Understand the structure and function of various components of the criminal justice system.
• Analyze the impact of social, political, and economic factors on crime and justice.
• Evaluate and apply key theories to real-world scenarios and case studies.
• Assess through exams from introductory courses and crime and delinquency offerings.

Research Design, Ethics and Critical Thinking

• Demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking.
• Demonstrate problem-solving within the context of criminal justice issues.
• Understand and apply ethical standards in criminal justice practice.
• Assess through exams, research projects, and writing assignments from introductory, methods, and upper division elective offerings.

Criminal Justice Field Experiences

• Understand career opportunities and expectations for gaining employment.
• Engage in practical experiences that provide exposure to the criminal justice system.
• Develop professional skills through fieldwork.
• Assess with writing assignments and observation portfolios through offerings related to the law in action course.

Identify and Analyze Social Problems

• Recognize and critically assess social problems related to crime and justice.
• Explore the relationship between crime, deviance, and societal norms.
• Assess with exams and research papers in introductory, social problems, and upper division courses related to deviant behavior.

For program assessment visit: https://www.atu.edu/assessment/program_assessment.php