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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice, BS

Beth Sanders, PhD., Chair
C340G, 713-221-5856

Ashley Blackburn, Ph.D., Assistant Chair
C340, 713-222-5326

CPS Academic Advising
C420, 713-221-8906

Major in Criminal Justice

Course work leading to a bachelor’s degree equips students with a foundation in criminological theories and criminal justice processes, including analytical and critical thinking skills. The Criminal Justice faculty strive to prepare students to be effective leaders in criminal justice and related fields, as well as research and advanced studies.

Program Outcomes

Graduates who earn a BS in Criminal Justice will be able to:

  • Critically analyze crime and justice issues.
  • Apply criminological and justice system theories to the study of crime and justice.
  • Communicate effectively about criminal justice topics.
  • Analyze criminal justice ethical dilemmas and develop sound courses of action.
  • Apply research methods and statistical analyses to criminal justice problems.

Degree Requirements

The Criminal Justice Major requires a minimum of 120 hours. At least 25% of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH-Downtown. 24 hours of Criminal Justice coursework must be at the upper level, and 24 hours must be completed as course work at UH-Downtown. 30 of the total hours and 18 of the upper-level hours toward the degree must be successfully completed in residence at UH-Downtown. The degree requires a minimum of 36 upper-level hours. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 at UH-Downtown is required for graduation, and a minimum average of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-level hours in the major.

Preparatory Requirements

Common Core Requirements (42 hours)

See listing under Common Core Requirements  in this Catalog

Degree Requirements

Criminal Justice Core (21 hours)

Criminal Justice Electives (21 hours)

Choose 21 hours (7 courses) from the list below:

Criminal Justice Writing Intensive Courses (6 hours)

Students must take two upper-division Criminal Justice courses that include substantial written assignments. These courses, designated as “W courses”, assure students of opportunities to use and further refine their writing skills within the context of the major field of study. The following upper-division criminal justice courses have been designated as writing intensive:

Supplemental Concentration (12 hours)

Students must select 12 hours of non-criminal justice course work of which nine hours must be 3000-4000 level courses. The courses must be approved by the criminal justice advisor in the College of Public Service.

Electives (9-15 hours)

To be selected from any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300 , MATH 0300 , MATH 1300  and RDG 1300 ), or their equivalent, which may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25% of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor. (If the world community requirement is fulfilled by any course that meets another degree requirement, the total of elective hours is 9-15.)

Total: (120 hours)