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.
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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 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.
Requirements
Criminal Justice Major Requirements
Courses
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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.
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Concentration in Cyber Investigations
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.
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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.
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.
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Second Degree in Criminal Justice
To be granted a second bachelor's degree, a student must earn at least 30 credits in residence in addition to the credits required for the first degree and meet the specified requirements of the second college and major. A student who completes the requirements for a second bachelor's degree will receive two diplomas, one for each major.
Requesting the degree
To declare criminal justice as a second degree, you must make an appointment with a criminal justice adviser.