Criminal Justice, Philosophy, and Political Science

Department Chairperson: Mohammad Salahuddin

Phone: (773) 995-2108

Location: Harold Washington Hall 329

Department Overview

The Department of Criminal Justice, Philosophy, and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and minors in Criminal Justice Philosophy, and Political Science. These programs provide examination of critical issues regarding crime and justice. Students are required to develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of criminology and criminal justice to contemporary problems in criminal justice. A broad foundation in the social sciences is provided, with emphasis on sociology, psychology, and law.

Course work allows emphasis in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, counseling and casework, juvenile delinquency, community and economic development, and criminal justice research.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to think critically about fundamental issues regarding crime and justice as they learn about all aspects of the delivery of criminal justice services. Areas of emphasis within Criminal Justice Major are policing, law, corrections, and juvenile justice. Students who have a 3.25 GPA in the major, a 3.00 GPA overall, and have junior status are eligible for the department’s honors program.

Internships & Experiential Learning:

The program culminates with students completing an internship or service practicum in criminal justice. Students with six months or more of work experience in the criminal justice field may elect to write a bachelor’s paper on a related topic.

Upon graduation, students are especially prepared for careers across the range of criminal justice, including positions as correctional officers, juvenile probation officers, law enforcement officers, and more. Graduates find gainful employment in government agencies as well as in the private sector. They are also well prepared for law school or to continue their study of criminal justice in graduate school programs leading to the master’s degree or PhD. The department regularly reviews the effectiveness of its program and provides updates that can be found in the department office and on the CSU website.

The Master’s program culminates in a practicum/internship or a thesis.

Honors Program in Criminal Justice

Admission requirements

Students accepted into the Honors Program in Criminal Justice must meet the following criteria:

Have a GPA of 3.25 or higher in the major after having completed at least 12 credit hours in the major;
Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher;
Have an academic classification of junior (Second semester sophomores may apply for admission);
Identify a faculty member who will serve as a program mentor. Program mentors shall assess their students’ progress at the end of each semester, their students’ independent study projects, and their students’ practicum/internship or bachelor papers;
Complete an application for admission, which must be signed by the student’s faculty mentor and approved by the department chair.

General Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to complete the Honors Program in Criminal Justice:

Complete two classes designated honors at the 3000-4000 level (6 credit hours);
Complete a two-semester honors project under the guidance of a faculty mentor (6 credit hours);
Earn a B or above in every course completed with the honors designation;
Maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher in the major.

Honors Program Courses

All honors courses will be designated with an “H” as its section and will require a level of intellectual engagement over and above that of regular courses. Honors sections will require additional reading and one or more additional projects.

Honors courses include:

CJ 4302 - Independent Study in Criminal Justice
CJ 4303 - Prob Social Justice Credit Hours: 3
CJ 4329 - Resrch Apprenticeshp Credit Hours: 3
CJ 4338 - Criminology Theory Credit Hours: 3

Honors Project

Students must meet the following criteria to complete their honors projects:

Develop a project under the guidance of a faculty mentor that contributes to the body of knowledge in criminal justice. Appropriate types of projects include publishable reviews of the scholarship in criminal justice and projects requiring empirical research. The project shall cover two semesters and will be completed through either CJ 3302 - Ind Stdy Crim Just and CJ 4390 - Prac/Intern Crim Jus orCJ 3302 - Ind Stdy Crim Just and CJ 4391 - Bachelor Paper or CJ 3302 - Ind Stdy Crim Just and CJ 4392 - Service Learning;
Defend the honors project before a committee consisting of the faculty mentor as primary reader and chair, plus one of two secondary readers from the criminal justice faculty;
Submit a manuscript to the department that describes the project and follows ASA style.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Criminal Justice, B.S.

Minor