CRIMINAL JUSTICE
College of Health and Human Services
- BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
- MINOR
- MASTER OF SCIENCE
- CAREER POSSIBILITIES
- FACULTY
- CONTACT
- COMPLETE COURSE LISTING
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Criminal Justice encompasses multidisciplinary examinations of crime, crime control, the justice process, and justice institutions. The discipline addresses definitions, causation, prevention, investigation, legal process, treatment, rehabilitation, and research relating to crime and justice as well as the institutions of the justice system and their administration.
The comprehensive program at Sacramento State covers every aspect of the field. Courses are offered which span the entire system of justice administration in both public and private sectors.
The Division of Criminal Justice:- Seeks to identify and increase understanding of major social issues related to crime, criminals, prevention and control, and victims.
- Features a large and diverse faculty combining scholars from a variety of disciplines who have contributed extensively to the justice field with practitioners who have many years of experience in justice administration.
- Offers a flexible undergraduate major, combined with highly structured advising, which allows the student to shape an undergraduate program specifically to prepare for employment in multiple areas of criminal justice, advanced study in criminal justice or law school.
- Features a Master of Science curriculum allowing students to focus study on either theoretical aspects of crime or justice administration.
- Offers direct access to many local, state, and federal agencies through internships and fieldwork.
Many graduates find positions with various federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies. Others have pursued advanced study in criminology and law. Employment opportunities for Criminal Justice majors have remained strong for the past decade both with government agencies and in private security and future demand appears assured.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Pre-MajorThere are no specific requirements for a student to become a pre-major in Criminal Justice. Pre-majors will be assigned advisors and assisted in their course planning.
MajorTo become a Criminal Justice major, the student must first have successfully completed the following courses or their equivalent with a grade of "C" or better:
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Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society |
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Law of Crimes (Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
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General Investigative Techniques (Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
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The Community and the Justice System (CRJ 1; Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
Students who wish to become a Criminal Justice minor must contact the Division of Criminal Justice.
Most upper division Criminal Justice courses are restricted to Criminal Justice majors or minors or permission of instructor. Students interested in Criminal Justice majors or minors are encouraged to contact the Criminal Justice Student Advising Center.
In collaboration with the College of Continuing Education, upper division coursework necessary to complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is offered by use of SacCT. The courses offered are the same as those required for the "on campus" degree.
Requirements - Bachelor of Science Degree
Units required for Major: 60
Minimum total units required for the BS: 120
Students majoring in Criminal Justice must achieve a "C" grade or better
in each lower division and a "C-" or better in each upper division course applied to the major and a GPA of at least
2.0 ("C") for all upper division required courses applied to the major.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisite.
A. Required Lower Division Courses (12 units) |
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Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society |
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Law of Crimes (Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
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General Investigative Techniques (Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
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The Community and the Justice System (CRJ 1; Criminal Justice majors, minors, and pre-majors only; or instructor permission) |
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B. Required Upper Division Core Courses (24 units) |
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Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods (CRJ 1) |
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Crime and Punishment (CRJ 1) |
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The Structure and Function of American Courts (CRJ 101, CRJ 102) |
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Fundamentals of Corrections (CRJ 1) |
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Police and Society (CRJ 1) |
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Justice and Public Safety Administration (CRJ 1) |
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(3) |
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (CRJ 101, CRJ 102, CRJ 121, CRJ 123, CRJ 130, CRJ 141, CRJ 160, CRJ 163; senior status and GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or C or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or C- grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
C. Upper Division Electives (24 units)
The student will collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a plan of electives that reflects the student's academic and professional interests. Electives must be drawn from at least three of the listed "Areas of Interest," of which one must be "Supporting Courses." The University Advanced Study graduation requirement may be completed in the major or as part of the GE pattern. An approved minor may be substituted for up to 12 units of the major elective courses and fulfills the requirement for selection of a course from the "Supporting Courses."
Criminal Justice Administration | |
Contemporary Issues in Police Administration (CRJ 101 and CRJ 141) |
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Leadership in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CRJ 160) |
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Planning for Justice and Public Safety (CRJ 101, CRJ 102 and CRJ 160) |
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Justice and Public Safety Information Systems (CRJ 1) |
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Investigation | |
Fundamentals of Computer Crime |
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Corrections | |
Offenses and Offenders | |
Gangs and Threat Groups in America |
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Sexual Offenses and Offenders |
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Violence and Terrorism |
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American Criminal Justice and Minority Groups |
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Drug Abuse and Criminal Behavior |
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Law | |
Law of Responsibility |
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Additional Courses | |
Women and the Criminal Justice System |
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Criminal Justice Systems of the Future |
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Topics in Criminal Justice Administration (CRJ 101, CRJ 102) |
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CRJ 195*+ |
Internship (Senior status) |
Experimental Offerings in Criminal Justice |
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Co-Curricular Activities (Sponsoring instructor and Division Chair permission) |
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CRJ 199*+ |
Special Problems (Senior status) |
*No more than 6 units of Credit/No Credit courses will be allowed toward completion of the degree. +Prerequisite: Restricted to declared majors and minors or instructor permission. |
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Supporting Courses | |
Government and Nonprofit Accounting |
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Contemporary American Culture in Anthropological Perspective |
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Urban Anthropology (ANTH 146 or instructor permission) |
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Rise of Religious Cults |
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Women Cross-Culturally |
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Culture and Poverty (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or "C" or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or "C"- grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X corequisite) |
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Intercultural Communication |
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Digital Evidence and Computer Crime |
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Internet Security (CSC 114) |
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Cyber Forensics (CSC 114) |
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Writing in the Social Sciences (GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W) |
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Ethnic America (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or "C" or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or "C-" grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
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The Asian American Experience |
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La Raza Studies |
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Native American Experience |
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Pan African Studies |
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The Black Family in the United States |
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GEOG 109 | Geographic Information Systems |
Constitutional Law (GOVT 1 or equivalent) |
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Constitutional Rights and Liberties (GOVT 1 or equivalent) |
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The Law and Bureaucracy (GOVT 1 or equivalent) |
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Politics of Justice (GOVT 1 or equivalent ) |
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The Legislative Process (GOVT 1 or equivalent ) |
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Politics of the Underrepresented (GOVT 1 or equivalent; and GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or "C" or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or "C-" grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
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Public Policy Development (GOVT 1 or equivalent; and GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W) |
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California State and Local Government |
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Social History of the U.S. |
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The City in U.S. History |
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The African-American Experience, 1603-Present |
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Ethnic Minorities in California History |
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Ethics and Social Issues (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or "C" or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or "C-" grade in ENGL109 M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
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Philosophy of Law |
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Symbolic Logic II (MATH 31, PHIL 60 or instructor permission) |
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Collaborative Problem Solving Practicum (Any one of the following or instructor permission; ANTH 101, ANTH 142, COMS 116, COMS 119, CRJ 160, ENVS 171, GOVT 170, GOVT 180, ID 124 or its equivalent, HROB 155, PPA 100, PSYC 135, PSYC 145, SOC 130, SOC 150, SOC 190, or SWRK 102) |
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Organizational Psychology |
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Personality Theories (PSYC 2) |
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Psychology of Multicultural Groups |
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Stress Management |
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Social Psychology (PSYC 2) |
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Psychology of Adolescence (PSYC 2) |
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Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying |
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Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 2) |
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Introduction to Statistics for Sociologists |
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Research Methods in Sociology (SOC 101 or equivalent) |
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Research Methods Laboratory (SOC 101 or equivalent; SOC 102A) |
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Political Sociology (SOC 1 or equivalent) |
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Social Movements (SOC 1 or instructor permission) |
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Criminology |
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Delinquency |
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Issues in Courts and Prisons |
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Sociology of Deviance |
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Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender, and Class |
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Chemical Dependency and Social Work Practice |
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Theories of Criminal Behavior (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or "C" or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or "C-" grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite) |
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Crimes Without Victims |
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Poverty and Homelessness in America |
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The Child and the Law |
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Violence in the Family |
Requirements - Minor
Units required for Minor: 21
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
(3) |
Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society |
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(3) |
Law of Crimes |
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General Investigative Techniques |
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Structure and Function of the American Courts (CRJ 101, CRJ 102) |
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Fundamentals of Corrections (CRJ 1) |
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Police and Society (CRJ 1) |
+Restricted to declared majors and minors or instructor permission.
Requirements - Minor - Forensics Investigations
Units required for Minor: 21
Must be a chemistry or biology
major and complete the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" or
higher.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
(3) |
Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society |
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(3) |
Law of Crimes |
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(3) |
General Investigative Techniques |
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Structure and Function of the American Courts (CRJ 101, CRJ 102) |
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+Restricted to declared majors and minors or instructor permission.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Master of Science program in Criminal Justice is designed to provide broad knowledge and understanding of the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, legal processes, and rehabilitation of offenders. It also provides an extensive academic foundation for a growing variety of professional opportunities and facilitates professional development in preparation for positions of increasing responsibility. Curriculum objectives are based on the philosophy that the function of the professional criminal justice practitioner and educator is to aid the orderly development of society, to contribute significantly to the improvement of the quality of services, and to advance the criminal justice system. Students who anticipate pursuing graduate studies should prepare themselves for work on this level by selecting undergraduate courses which provide competence in the following areas: statistical analysis, behavioral science methodology, independent library research, and the writing of research papers.
The University's location in the state capital provides direct access to many local, federal, and state agencies through internship and fieldwork opportunities. All graduate students should consult the Criminal Justice Graduate Coordinator when planning their program of courses for each upcoming semester.
All work toward the degree must be completed within a seven-year period. The general University requirements for graduate degrees are explained in the "Graduate Studies" section of this Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in Criminal Justice requires:
- a baccalaureate degree;
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units attempted and a 3.0 GPA in the major field;
- a score of 4 or more in the Analytical Writing Section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test;
- a letter outlining in some detail the applicant's interests, goals, and expectations in pursuing the MS in Criminal Justice; and
- three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's potential for graduate study (format for letters is available in the Criminal Justice Office).
In addition, applicants are expected to have an undergraduate major in Criminal Justice or its equivalent. Whatever the applicant's undergraduate major, however, it is essential that each student have adequate preparation for graduate study. For this reason, some applicants (regardless of their undergraduate program) may be asked to remove deficiencies in their education by taking courses from the undergraduate curriculum before being admitted as a classified graduate student. In such cases, conditionally classified graduate status may be granted subject to completion of these courses with grade "B" or better. The number of units required to remove deficiencies will total no more than 15 and these must be taken in addition to the 30 units required for the MS. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the admission application.
Admission Procedures
Applications are accepted as long as space for new students is available. However, students are strongly urged to apply by April 1 for the following fall or October 1 for the following spring in order to allow time for admission prior to registration for courses. If applications for graduate admissions exceed the capacity of the Department, the Department will limit admissions. Applicants will be rank ordered for admission based on an evaluation of the academic record, GRE scores, professional and life experience, references, proposed academic plan and potential for diversifying, and enriching the Criminal Justice graduate program.
All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:
- an online application for admission;
- two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State; and
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
At the same time, each prospective graduate student must forward to the Graduate Coordinator in the Division of Criminal Justice the following:
- a letter outlining in some detail the applicant's interests, goals, and expectations in pursuing the MS in Criminal Justice; and
- three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's potential for graduate study.
Approximately six weeks after receipt of all items listed above, a decision regarding admission will be mailed to the applicant.
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy for the master's degree indicating the proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- removed any deficiencies in admissions requirements;
- completed at least 12 units in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
- taken the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento or secured approval for a WPG waiver.
Students may not enroll in CRJ 500 before they are advanced to candidacy.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with the Criminal Justice Graduate Coordinator. The completed form should then be returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Requirements - Master of Science Degree
Units required for MS: 30
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Courses (18 units) |
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Research Methods in Criminal Justice (Classified graduate status, satisfactory completion of a basic statistics course) |
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Crime, Criminology, and Criminal Justice (Classified graduate status) |
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Historical Analysis of the American Criminal Justice System (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Management of Complex Justice Organizations (Classified graduate status) |
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(6) Select two courses from the following: | ||
Critical Examination of Law and Justice (Classified graduate status or instructor permission) |
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Graduate Seminar in Corrections (Classified graduate status or instructor permission) |
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Contemporary Issues in Policing (Graduate status; Corequisite: Completion of or enrollment in CRJ 200, CRJ 255, CRJ 260) |
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Administration of Juvenile Justice (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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B. Electives (6-9 units) |
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Six (6) units for the thesis/project option and nine (9) units for the comprehensive exam option. | ||
Criminal Justice Policy Analysis (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Criminal Justice Research and Program Evaluation (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Critical Examination of Law and Justice (Classified graduate status or instructor permission) |
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Politics of Crime Legislation (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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The Prison (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Graduate Seminar in Corrections (Classified graduate status, or instructor permission) |
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Psychodynamics of Confinement (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Contemporary Issues in Policing (Graduate status; Corequisite: CRJ 200, CRJ 255, CRJ 260) |
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Comparative Analysis of the Criminal Justice System (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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White-Collar Crime (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Violence and Victims (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Historical Analysis of the American Criminal Justice System (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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The Nature of Terrorism (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Administration of Juvenile Justice (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Personnel Administration in Justice Organizations (Graduate status; Corequisite: CRJ 200, CRJ 255, CRJ 260) |
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Criminal Justice Issues in Collective Bargaining and Arbitration (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Criminal Justice Systems of the Future (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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Internship (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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CRJ 296 series course |
Experimental Offerings in Criminal Justice |
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Special Problems (Graduate status, CRJ 200, CRJ 255, and CRJ 260, which may be taken concurrently; GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a "C-" in ENGL 109M/W; or instructor permission) |
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C. Culminating Experience (3-6 units) |
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Culminating Experience: Criminal Justice Comprehensive Examination (Advanced to candidacy) OR |
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(3) |
Culminating Experience: Thesis/Project Development (Advanced to candidacy) AND |
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(3) |
Culminating Experience: Thesis or Project (Advanced to candidacy; satisfactory completion of CRJ 501) |
Note: Students requiring more than one semester to complete their culminating experience must either re-enroll in CRJ 500 or must enroll in CCE 599, Graduate Continuous Enrollment, which is offered by the College of Continuing Education (CCE) through concurrent enrollment (Open University).
Career Possibilities
Investigative positions with federal state and local agencies such as the FBI, ATF, Secret Service, DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, California Department of Justice, Alcohol Beverage Control, Department of Motor Vehicles, district attorney's and public defender's offices, and numerous others · Uniformed law enforcement positions with agencies at all levels of government, including: police officer, deputy sheriff, highway patrol or state police officer, border patrol agent and natural resources officer, probation and parole officers, correctional counselors, correctional officers, private security consultants, private investigators and corporate security officers, and loss prevention specialists · Crime analysts and crime scene technicians · Victim services and a wide variety of social service agencies related to crime, justice, and rehabilitation · In addition, graduates can pursue advanced degrees in law or research disciplines.
Faculty
Bruce Bikle, Dimitri Bogazianos, Cecil Canton, Tim Capron, Owen Cater, Suzette Escobar, Yvette Farmer, Ricky Gutierrez, James Hernandez, Shihlung Huang, Marlyn Jones, Laurie Kubicek, Lynette Lee, Russell Loving, Mary Maguire, Stephanie Mizrahi, Daniel Okada, John Panneton, Xin Ren, Kaylene Richards-Ekeh, Jennie Singer, David Swim, Ernest Uwazie, William Vizzard, Hugh Wilson
Contact Information
Hugh Wilson, Division Chair
Jody Gayvert, Administrative Support Coordinator
Alpine Hall 137
(916) 278-6487
www.hhs.csus.edu/CJ
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