123 credits required for graduation

The School of Liberal Arts offers the Bachelors of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice/Criminology. The B.S. in Criminal Justice/Criminology is an intensive overview of each of the components of the criminal justice system as well as an analysis of the societal and behavioral influences of deviant behavior.

The Criminal Justice/Criminology program emphasizes a “theory-into practice” approach. Students will take foundation courses with Area F that prepare them for upper division study. The will then complete a seven course common core curriculum. Students may (in consultation with their mentor) then select six additional CJCR courses based upon their individual interests. They will also select two courses from an approved list of major related electives. This curriculum will expose students to current national and international trends in Criminal Justice studies. Students graduating from GGC Criminal Justice/Criminology program will be f meeting the academic needs of agencies which comprise the Criminal Justice system and using their academic foundations to continue at the graduate level in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Public Administration, Legal Studies or other graduate programs.\

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (60 hours)

The primary objective of the general education requirements is to guarantee that all students seeking a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice/Criminology (BS) degree will share a common body of knowledge drawn from a broad spectrum of subject areas.

Additional Requirements (3 hours)

The physical education requirement is comprised of one credit hour of Wellness, two credit hours of additional Physical Education courses.

Legislative Requirements

Georgia law requires that each candidate for a degree demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitution on the United States and Georgia. These requirements may be met by receiving a passing grade in certain courses, or by passing the appropriate examination. The courses and the requirement(s) each course satisfies are as follows:

1. HIST 2111  or HIST 2112  satisfies the Georgia and U.S. history requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
2. POLS 1101  satisfies the Georgia and US Constitution requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
3. Students with transfer credit (HIST 2111  , HIST 2112  or POLS 1101 ) from outside the University System of Georgia will need to contact the Testing Center regarding the legislative exams requirement.

Major Requirements (60 hours)

The major requirements consist of three areas of study: Criminal Justice/Criminology Core, Concentrations, and General Electives. The Criminal Justice/Criminology Core is designed to ensure that students receiving the BS degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology will share a common body of knowledge needed for a wide range of private and public sector organizations. Concentration courses allow students to delve further into areas of specialization. General Electives give students an opportunity to explore topics of interest at an advanced level.

Program Outcome Goals

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Criminology

1. Skills in the ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information necessary to present clear logical ideas and thoughts leading to effective solutions to various issues in Criminal Justice and Criminology
2. An ongoing and clear appreciation for the ethical standards and principled practices of those involved in Criminal Justice and Criminology
3. A knowledge and understanding of the component areas of the Criminal Justice system including courts, police and corrections, which will provide for active and informed citizens, and potential practitioners in Criminal Justice or Criminology
4. Through the examination of our own rich national culture, its unique historical development, and continued evolution, an awareness of how the key theories within Criminal Justice and Criminology have developed, matured, and transformed, and continue to change
5. A thorough understanding of the political, social and international influences on both human and institutional behaviors in courts, police and corrections
6. Through internships and the senior seminar, practical real world knowledge and experience in the application of the theoretical underpinnings of Criminal Justice and Criminology.
7. Skills in the ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information necessary to present clear logical ideas and thoughts leading to effective solutions to various issues in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
8. An ongoing and clear appreciation for the ethical standards and principled practices of those involved in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
9. A knowledge and understanding of the component areas of the Criminal Justice system including courts, police and corrections, which will provide for active and informed citizens, and potential practitioners in Criminal Justice or Criminology
10. Through the examination of our own rich national culture, its unique historical development, and continued evolution, an awareness of how the key theories within Criminal Justice and Criminology have developed, matured, and transformed, and continue to change
11. A thorough understanding of the political, social and international influences on both human and institutional behaviors in courts, police and corrections
12. Through an internship/capstone program, practical real world knowledge and experience in the application of the theoretical underpinnings of Criminal Justice and Criminology.