Welcome to the Criminal Justice Program
Criminal Justice as a field of study covers traditional aspects of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts and the judiciary, corrections, and juvenile justice. It also recognizes the interdependence of historical and social traditions, values, politics, economics, and legal structures that necessarily impact on policy questions in a democratic society. The Criminal Justice major focuses on the social problems of crime and delinquency and traditional and non-traditional methods of managing these problems for the social good.
The requirements of the B.A. degree in Criminal Justice include courses covering:
- A number of different perspectives important to the understanding of crime;
- the processes, contingencies, and policy issues relevant to each component of the criminal justice system;
- Crime prevention; constitutional rights and restraints; and
- Development of writing and analytical skills through research and computer applications.
Theory meets practice through both the Senior Semi¬nar and a criminal justice internship experience (this last requirement may be waived, and another course substituted, for criminal justice professionals or those with military experience pursuing their baccalaureate degrees).
This major examines various aspects of criminal and juvenile justice from a broad perspective developed primarily from the social and behavioral sciences. In this process, emphasis is placed on critical thinking throughout the program, particularly in analyzing current problems, completing an internship, and carrying out a research project. Special attention is given to the role of cultural similarities and differences as they manifest themselves in the area of criminal justice. Graduates of the program will have the theoretical background necessary to pursue graduate work in criminal justice and related social science disciplines or the professional education currently demanded in law and justice-related professions.
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice MA program at Governors State university provides individuals working in justice-related areas (or interested in doing so) with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to work effectively in their respective organizations and positions, and to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate system and organization charge and reform initiatives. The criminal justice MA program also provides graduate students with a broad perspective on the criminal and juvenile justice systems, and prepares them for further graduate studies. The curriculum includes a series of classes, seminars, and workshops that impart specific skills in the areas of research, evaluation, data analysis, comparative analysis, and organizational leadership. Persons completing their master's degree in Criminal Justice at Governors State University will be equipped to attain advancement in the criminal and juvenile justice fields, participate skilfully and effectively in planned change at the organization and system levels, work more effectively in their respective positions, and pursue further graduate studies.
BA Criminal Justice Home
Resources
Restorative Justice LibGuides
Criminal Justice Internship Procedure (CJUS4800)
Program Fact Sheet
To view the program fact sheet, please go to BA in Criminal Justice Fact Sheet
To view the graduate program fact sheet, please go to MA in Criminal Justice Fact Sheet
Articulation Agreements
Since GSU is an upper-division and graduate institution, our students are all transfer students. Therefore, we have developed articulation agreements to aid in the seamless transition from the area community college to GSU. The articulation/transfer guides can be found here.
