Criminal Justice (Institutional Theory and Practice), Bachelor of Science
The major is intended for students who seek a career in criminal justice and would like to explore the field from a broad perspective. It is devoted to understanding criminal justice institutional theory and practice in the context of diverse multicultural societies. The major underscores the rule of law as the glue which holds together the arenas of police, courts, and corrections that along with other social institutions and the public, are the co–producers of justice.
Learning outcomes. Students will:
- Understand the historical development, functions and roles of each component of the criminal justice system.
- Describe and critically examine the major criminological theories on crime causation and prevention, and apply them to criminal justice practice.
- Critically analyze the social response to crime and the practice of criminal justice.
- Demonstrate the ability to access, conduct, interpret, and apply criminal justice research.
Credits Required.
| Criminal Justice (Institutional Theory and Practice) Major |
45 |
| General Education |
42 |
| Electives |
33 |
| Total Credits Required for B.S. Degree |
120 |
Co-Coordinators. Professor Christopher Herrmann (cherrmann@jjay.cuny.edu), Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration
Advisor. Ms. Wanda Owens, Academic Advisement Center, (L.73 NB, cjbs@jjay.cuny.edu). Make an appointment using EAB Navigate.
Advising resources. CJBS Major Advisement Video. CJBS Information Packet. CJBS Worksheet. Practical Tips for the CJBS Major. CJBS Major Advising Resources including a Sample Four Year Degree Map.
Baccalaureate/Master’s Program in Criminal Justice. Qualified undergraduate students may enter the Baccalaureate/Master’s Program and thereby graduate with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in criminal justice. For additional information, contact Dr. Janice Carrington, 212-237-8418, jcarrington@jjay.cuny.edu.
Study abroad. Students in the College’s Study Abroad Program may use some of their study abroad credits to substitute for related courses in the major. With regard to particular courses, the student should consult with the coordinator for the major. For information about the College’s Study Abroad Program, contact Mr. Kenneth Yanes (212.484.1339, kyanes@jjay.cuny.edu).
Additional requirement. As part of this major, students must take three courses in Part 3. Distribution Areas, one from each category A-C. At least two of those courses must be at the 300–level or above and must come from different categories.
Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2021 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Foundational Courses
Required
| POL 101 | American Government & Politics | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Advisor recommendations: Students are strongly urged to complete these courses during their first year in the College.
SOC 101 can fulfill the Flexible Core: Individual and Society and
POL 101 can fulfill the Flexible Core: U.S. Experience in its Diversity areas of the College’s General Education requirements.
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part One. Core Requirements
| CJBS 101 | Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJBS 250 | Research Methods and Statistics for Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJBS 300 | Criminal Justice: Theory in Practice | 3 |
| CJBS 415 | Capstone Seminar for BS in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| COR 101 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| LAW 203 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| PSC 101 | Introduction to Police Studies | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Criminology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 24
Part Two. Diversity
Select two
| AFR 215 | Police and Urban Communities | 3 |
| AFR 227 | Community-based Approaches to Justice | 3 |
| COR 320 | Race, Class and Gender in a Correctional Context | 3 |
| LAW 313/POL 313 | The Law and Politics of Race Relations | 3 |
| LLS 250 | Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 325 | Latinx Experience of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PSC 202 | Police and Diversity | 3 |
| PSC 235 | Women in Policing | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part Three. Distribution Areas
Select three courses, one from each category A-C (at least two of those courses must be at the 300-level or above and come from different categories)
Category A. Police
Select one
| AFR 215 | Police and Urban Communities | 3 |
| AFR 232/LLS 232 | Comparative Perspectives on Crime in the Caribbean | 3 |
| CJBS 377 | Internships for Criminal Justice, Law and Policing | 3 |
| CRJ 255 | Computer Applications in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 420/SOC 420 | Women and Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 425 | Seminar on Major Works in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| LLS 250 | Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America | 3 |
| PSC 107 | Introduction to Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| PSC 201 | Police Organization and Administration | 3 |
| PSC 204 | The Patrol Function | 3 |
| PSC 216 | Crime Mapping | 3 |
| PSC 227 | Police Training Programs: Goals, Content and Administration | 3 |
| PSC 230/COR 230 | Sex Offenders in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSC 271/PSY 271 | Psychological Foundations of Police Work | 3 |
| PSC 300 | Police Management and Administration in the U.S. | 3 |
| PSC 306 | Police Work with Juveniles | 3 |
| PSC 309 | Comparative Police Systems | 3 |
| PSC 321 | Police Ethics | 3 |
| PSC 324 | Police Use of Force: Legal, Theoretical and Practical Implications | 3 |
| PSC 337 | Chinese Americans in Policing | 3 |
| PSC 340 | Planning for Police Operations and Management | 3 |
| PSC 380 | Selected Topics in Police Science | 3 |
| PSC 385 | Faculty Mentored Research Experience in Police Science | 3 |
| PSC 405 | Organized Crime in America | 3 |
| PSC 415 | Seminar on Terrorism | 3 |
Category B. Law and Courts
Select one
| AFR 220 | Law and Justice in Africa | 3 |
| AFR 320 | Perspectives on Justice in the Africana World | 3 |
| CJBS 377 | Internships for Criminal Justice, Law and Policing | 3 |
| CRJ 322/PHI 322 | Judicial and Correctional Ethics | 3 |
| EJS 240 | Environmental Crime | 3 |
| LAW 202 | Law and Evidence | 3 |
| LAW 204 | Criminal Law of New York | 3 |
| LAW 206 | The American Judiciary | 3 |
| LAW 209 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 212 | The Criminal Process and the Criminal Procedure Law | 3 |
| LAW 213/COM 213 | The Impact of the Mass Media on the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| LAW 259/POL 259 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 3 |
| LAW 301 | Jurisprudence | 3 |
| LAW 310/PHI 310 | Ethics and Law | 3 |
| LAW 320 | Seminar in the Law of Search and Seizure | 3 |
| LAW 340 | Employment Discrimination Law, Affirmative Action and Police Organization | 3 |
| LAW 370/PSY 370 | Psychology and the Law | 3 |
| LAW 380 | Selected Topics in Law | 3 |
| LAW 401 | Problems of Constitutional Development | 3 |
| LAW 420/PAD 420 | Contemporary Administration and the Judiciary | 3 |
| LLS 250 | Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 325 | Latinx Experience of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| LLS 341 | Immigrant Rights in the Americas | 3 |
| LLS 356 | Terror and Transitional Justice in Latin America | 3 |
Category C. Corrections
Select one
| AFR 227 | Community-based Approaches to Justice | 3 |
| AFR 315 | Community-based Justice in the Africana World | 3 |
| COR 201 | The Law and Institutional Treatment | 3 |
| COR 202 | The Administration of Correctional Programs for Juveniles | 3 |
| COR 230/PSC 230 | Sex Offenders in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| COR 250 | Rehabilitation of the Offender | 3 |
| COR 282 | Principles of Correctional Operations | 3 |
| COR 303 | Comparative Correction Systems | 3 |
| COR 310 | Fieldwork in Corrections | 3 |
| COR 320 | Race, Class and Gender in a Correctional Context | 3 |
| COR 380 | Selected Topics in Corrections | 3 |
| COR 401 | Evaluating Correctional Methods and Programs | 3 |
| COR 402 | Administration of Community-based Corrections Programs | 3 |
| COR 415 | Major Works in Corrections | 3 |
| COR 430 | Senior Seminar in Correctional Studies | 3 |
| CRJ 322/PHI 322 | Judicial and Correctional Ethics | 3 |
Note: Courses can only be used to satisfy one area in the major.
Total Credit Hours: 9
Total Credit Hours: 45