The Bachelor of Arts degree program in criminal justice is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in public and private agencies identified with criminal justice administration. Such agencies apprehend offenders, adjudicate alleged offenses, redirect emergent criminal careers, and promote industrial and commercial security. Such agencies also encourage and emphasize community responsibility for the success of their programs.
The bachelor's program in criminal justice provides a basic orientation to the institutions and processes of criminal justice and offers students wide exposure to all of the major disciplines of the criminal justice system. The program promotes general knowledge through core and social science courses. It provides students with the opportunity to pursue interests in the following areas: juvenile justice, police administration, adult corrections, and security.
View the list of courses on the MSU Office of the Registrar's website
The College of Social Science has a range of options for students to fulfill their Experiential Learning requirement. We encourage students to explore the multiple available options on the Experiential Learning website!
The Student Planning Guide is created for undergraduates to assist in planning the four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. It supplements the following University publications: Description of Courses and Academic Programs. Students, in consultation with the School of Criminal Justice academic advisors and faculty, are responsible for organizing their programs and satisfying their degree requirements.
Detailed information about the Bachelors of Arts degree in Criminal Justice can be found in the Student Planning Guide. Questions can also be directed to Kris Sherwood.
Program Information
Check out a sample 4 year plan
An optional concentration in Cyber Investigations is available for students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. This concentration equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to combat cybercrime and conduct digital forensic investigations.
With the rise of identity theft, data breaches, and cyber espionage, and other forms of online criminal activity, this program prepares graduates for careers in law enforcement, corporate security, and other sectors requiring specialized investigative expertise.
Please note: This concentration is only available to students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. To request this concentration, please contact your Criminal Justice major advisor.
Shared Programs (formally Dual Enrollment) - MSU Undergraduate to Graduate provide opportunity for academically talented undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses toward a graduate degree while completing the last two years of their MSU bachelor’s degree.
Process.
School of Criminal Justice undergraduate students interested in Shared Programs should consult with their Academic Advisor for assistance prior to submitting the online Shared Programs - UN to GR Request Form.
This form must be submitted before beginning any shared course work. The student can complete the form once 56 credits are reached. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 is required to be eligible for consideration for Shared Programs.
Once the student has reached their final year of their bachelor program, the student applies for admission to one of the three School of Criminal Justice masters’ programs for the semester directly following undergraduate degree conferral. Completion of the Shared Programs does not guarantee future admission into the SCJ graduate program.
Shared Programs allows undergraduate students to enroll in maximum (9) credits of CJ8xx level courses during junior and senior level undergraduate status. These credits will be shared with both UN and GR. Only grades of 3.0+ in GR level courses will be shared with Graduate level program.
Full details can be found in the MSU Academic Programs.
Additional Information
Shared Programs Timeline | ||
| Current Semester | Semester reaching 120 credits with BACJ degree | Semester starting Graduate Program |
| FS26 | SS27 | US27 or FS27 |
| FS26 | SS28 | US28 or FS28 |
The School of Criminal Justice has several student organizations available for students to get involved with.