Criminal Justice (B.S.)

Criminal Justice (B.S.)
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The Department of Criminal Justice at Plymouth State University aims to serve students interested in a variety of careers spanning law enforcement, investigations, court administration, corrections, juvenile services, loss prevention, as well as graduate or law school. Consistent with the general mission of Plymouth State University, the department seeks to produce well-rounded graduates who are equipped to both continue their education and enter the work force. In addition, the department serves the surrounding community, not only by producing high quality graduates well prepared to enter their field, but also by partnering with local and regional agencies to provide academic and research support.

Students in the BS in criminal justice program focus on career preparation. The program includes a heavy emphasis on the criminal justice system itself, and how the branches of the system operate together and independently. Students develop skills in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, problem solving techniques, communication skills, data analysis skills, and technical writing skills, along with an appreciation for ethical and professional behavior in the field. Upon completion of the program, students will be well prepared for a variety of criminal justice careers. Students will also have developed an independent sense of self, with a tolerance toward others and the ability to work in diverse cultures.

Contact

Academic Operations Manager
Phone: (603) 535-2664
Office: Justice & Security, Mary Lyon Hall Rm 015, MSC 59, Plymouth, NH 03264
Contact

Program Coordinator, Criminal Justice; Criminology
Professor
Phone: (603) 535-3193
Office: Justice & Security, Mary Lyon Hall Rm 034K, MSC 59, Plymouth, NH 03264

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Criminal Justice

If you’re interested in a career in law enforcement, court administration, corrections, juvenile services, or graduate or law school, Plymouth State University offers two options: the BA in criminology and the BS in criminal justice. Both offer challenging coursework, hands-on learning opportunities, and community-based internships that will help you build your leadership, communication, and collaborative skills. You’ll learn from faculty members who are leaders and professionals in their fields and are dedicated to helping you excel in your studies.

Curriculum & Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
CJ 1020Criminal Justice in Action4
CJ 2025Police and society4
CJ 2045Criminal Procedure4
CJ 2075Corrections4
CJ/SO 2080Crime and Criminals4
CJ 2090Criminal Law4
CJ/PY 3157Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO)4
CJ 3225Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO)4
CJ 3260Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO)4
CJ 3450Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO)4
Capstone
Choose one of the following:4
CJ 4580
Internship in Criminal Justice Four credits of CJ 4580 cannot double count as Major Elective credits; eight credits of CJ 4580 will satisfy Major Elective and Capstone requirements
CJ 4805
Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO)
Major Electives
Complete one course from the following: 14
AN 3605
Forensic Anthropology
CJ 3005
Criminal Investigation
CJ 3015
Cybercrime
CJ 3025
Forensic Science
CJ 3075
Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO)
CJ 3110
Youth and Crime
CJ 3270
Explaining Crime
CJ 3350
Criminal Justice and Mental Health
CJ 3405
Homeland Security
CJ 3515
Women and Crime (DICO,GACO)
CJ 3600
Restorative Justice Practice with Youth
CJ 3720
Topics in Criminal Justice
PO 3635
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
SO 3085
Juvenile Delinquency
SO 3185
Sociology of Deviance (DICO)
SO 3270
Explaining Crime
SO 3375
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO)
SO 3385
Drugs and Society (INCO,INCP)
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
MAMathematics Foundations3-4
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 24-8
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection3-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-40-4
Electives37-39
Total Credits120
1

Several of the Major Electives have prerequisites; see their course description for details.

2

Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
MAMathematics Foundation 3-4
CJ 1020 Criminal Justice in Action 4
CJ 2025 Police and society 4
CJ/SO 2080 Crime and Criminals 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
Electives 0-4
 Credits29-36
Year Two
CJ 2045 Criminal Procedure 4
CJ 2075 Corrections 4
CJ 2090 Criminal Law 4
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction 3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
Elective 2-8
 Credits24-36
Year Three
CJ 3225 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (WRCO) 4
CJ 3260 Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (QRCO,TECO) 4
CJ 3450 Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) 4
Complete one Major Elective from the following: 4
AN 3605
Forensic Anthropology
CJ 3005
Criminal Investigation
CJ 3015
Cybercrime
CJ 3025
Forensic Science
CJ 3075
Race, Class, Crime and Justice (DICO)
CJ 3110
Youth and Crime
CJ 3270
Explaining Crime
CJ 3350
Criminal Justice and Mental Health
CJ 3405
Homeland Security
CJ 3515
Women and Crime (DICO,GACO)
CJ 3600
Restorative Justice Practice with Youth
CJ 3720
Topics in Criminal Justice
PO 3635
Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
SO 3085
Juvenile Delinquency
SO 3185
Sociology of Deviance (DICO)
SO 3270
Explaining Crime
SO 3375
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (DICO)
SO 3385
Drugs and Society (INCO,INCP)
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection 3-4
Electives 10-13
INCPIntegrated Capstone 3-4 0-4
 Credits29-37
Year Four
CJ/PY 3157 Society, Ethics, and the Law (DICO) 4
Complete one Capstone Course from the following: 4
CJ 4580
or CJ 4805
Internship in Criminal Justice
or Criminal Justice Seminar (WRCO)
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Electives 18-21
 Credits29-33
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal law, justice system processes, terminology, and history,
  • Apply criminological theory and research methodology to the practice of criminal justice
  • Analyze and evaluate moral and ethical perspectives as related to the field of criminal justice,
  • Demonstrate technical competencies, and verbal and written communication skills,
  • Describe and evaluate the principles of scientific methodology to become informed consumers of criminal justice research, and
  • Identify and appraise the presence of biases and prejudices and the role of diversity (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic, age, disabilities) in the application of justice

  • Airport Security
  • ATF Agent
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • Child Support Agency Worker
  • Correctional Officer
  • Correctional Treatment Specialist
  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Criminal Investigator
  • DEA Agent
  • FBI Agent
  • Homeland Security Officer
  • Juvenile Probation/Parole Officer
  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Parole Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Postal Inspector
  • Prison Warden
  • Private Investigator
  • Private Security Officer
  • Probation Officer
  • Secret Service Special Agent
  • Security Services Specialist
  • U.S. Marshall
  • Victim Advocate
  • Youth Service Worker/Coordinator

Explore Program Details

Panther Spotlight

  • Aidan Sinclair
    “I’m interested in why people commit crime and how to prevent it,” says Sinclair, who came to Plymouth State to study criminology and psychology, Eventually, he hopes to attend law school and become a lawyer focused on crime prevention, rather than incarceration.
    Learn More

Social Justice Leader Spotlight

Social Justice Leader Precious Rodriguez '24

Precious Destiny Rodriguez, a criminal justice major, began working at the IDEA Center because she believes that the difference we wish to see in the world that starts with us. “Someone has to take the first step and we will always be better together,” she says. To her, diversity means coming together while acknowledging and accepting everyone's differences.

In her free time, you can find Precious listening to music as it finds it to be “the only thing that’s quiet” in her busy life.

If ever to be found within a movie, you’d find Precious in Aladdin, specifically as Rajah.

Our social justice leaders work hard to advance diversity, equity, and social justice across our campus and beyond.

Social Justice Leader Precious Rodriguez
 

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