Major & Minor Options

The study of criminal justice offers students the opportunity to study fascinating issues of crime and justice that are critical to the functioning of a healthy society. Understanding patterns and causes of crime, the challenges facing criminal justice agencies as they seek to balance crime control with preservation of civil liberties, and the growing importance of security management in what has been called the “risk society” are just some of the issues you will study as a student studying criminal justice.
  • Major in Criminal Justice

    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, Academic Programs, and Schedule of Courses.  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 the main office at 517-355-2197.

     

    Admission Instructions

    Information on how to become a Spartan

    Requirements

    Criminal Justice Major Requirements

    Courses


    Student Planning Guides


    Study Abroad Opportunities

    The School of Criminal Justice offers study abroad opportunities in the Caribbean, Australia, Madagascar and the Philippines.

     

    Tuition & Financial Aid

  • Minor in Security Management

    The complexities of modern society have combined to generate a variety of threats to business organizations, information networks, government installations and operations, and individuals. The Undergraduate Minor in Security Management is designed for students who are interested in private and government security.

    The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University. The minor should be of particular interest to students who are enrolled in certain programs in the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science, and to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program in computer science.

    The Minor in Security Management is designed to help students to understand:

    • The business and technical aspects of protecting private and government assets.
    • The administrative, management, technical, and legal problems of asset protection and loss prevention.
    • Concepts related to protecting personal and personnel rights, proprietary information, facilities, and other assets of an organization.
    • Security's relationship to the value of freedom and democratic principles in our society.
  • Additional Major in Criminal Justice

    Students whose primary major is not criminal justice may earn an additional major in CJ. The additional major will be noted on the student’s transcript but not on the official diploma. Students must successfully complete the following requirements to receive the additional major. 

    Major Requirements (30 credits):

    Core Courses: 12 credits

    • CJ 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits
    • CJ 220 - Criminology 3 Credits
    • CJ 275 - Criminal Procedure 3 Credits
    • CJ 292 - Methods of Criminal Justice Research 3 Credits

    Thematic Areas: Select 2 or 3 (6 – 9 credits)

    • CJ 335 - Policing 3 Credits
    • CJ 355 - Juvenile Justice 3 Credits
    • CJ 365 - Corrections 3 Credits
    • CJ 385 - Private Security 3 Credits

    CJ electives: Select 9-12 credits

    To receive the additional major, students must maintain a 2.0 for both cumulative GPA and criminal justice courses.

    Students who wish to declare criminal justice as an additional major should make an appointment with an academic adviser.

    After a student declares criminal justice as an additional major, the intention to complete the additional major will be noted on his or her academic record in the Registrar's Office.

    See the Planning Guide for course suggestions on the above requirements.

  • Second Degree in Criminal Justice

    Students who successfully complete a second degree at Michigan State University receive two bachelor’s degrees and two diplomas. The following are required for a second degree:

    Major Requirements (30 credits):

    Core Courses: 12 credits

    • CJ 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits
    • CJ 220 - Criminology 3 Credits
    • CJ 275 - Criminal Procedure 3 Credits
    • CJ 292 - Methods of Criminal Justice Research 3 Credits

    Thematic Areas: Select 2 or 3 (6 – 9 credits)

    • CJ 335 - Policing 3 Credits
    • CJ 355 - Juvenile Justice 3 Credits
    • CJ 365 - Corrections 3 Credits
    • CJ 385 - Private Security 3 Credits

    CJ electives: Select 9-12 credits

    College of Social Science Requirements (30 credits):

    Social Science: 15 credits

    Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Geography, Social Work, Economics, History, Family & Child Ecology

    Arts and Letters: 9 credits

    Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theater, English, Classical Studies, Studio Art, Foreign Languages, Women’s Studies, History of Art, Music

    Natural Science: 6 credits

    Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Entomology, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, selected social science courses (see Student Planning Guide).

    Requesting the degree

    To declare criminal justice as a second degree, you must make an appointment with a criminal justice adviser.

     

Undergraduates