Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies
Criminal Justice Studies Major at Spalding
Meet the needs of the time with a criminal justice degree focused on restorative justice.
Do you desire to affect change and solve community challenges? Earn your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies from Spalding University—a top-5 college in Kentucky (College Choice) that’s dedicated to promoting peace and justice.
Our criminal justice program takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning. We aim to expand your understanding of the inner workings of the criminal justice system. Our foundational courses focus on restorative justice and reform and address topics relevant to current issues and community needs. We offer three minors: restorative justice, criminal justice reform and criminal justice studies.
As a criminal justice studies major, you’ll be encouraged to explore the challenges of the system and engage in creating solutions that are compassionate and just. You’ll walk away from our program as a well-equipped, mindful practitioner prepared to help others and take on the diverse challenges evident in society today.
Program Highlights
Be a leader trained to solve community challenges from a restorative lens.
- Benefit from a faculty of practitioners who bring real-life experiences from the field
- Take introductory courses, unique to our program, in restorative justice and criminal justice reform
- Gain collaborative hands-on learning through our strong community partnerships
- Interact with classmates who share a desire to give back and make a difference
- Work with restorative justice scholar and program director Dr. Cicely J. Cottrell (Learn more about Dr. Cottrell)
Degree Requirements
Earn your criminal justice studies degree in 120 credit hours.
- 57 hours of general university studies
- 45 hours of criminal justice studies core courses
- 18 hours in one of our criminal justice minors.
Graduate in four years or less.
- Take advantage of our flexible six-week block schedule.
- Receive individual attention with face-to-face instruction and our small class sizes
Criminal Justice Careers
As a graduate of our program, you’ll be prepared to start your career in one of many roles, including the following:
Policy Analyst, Federal Agent, Victim Advocate, Police Officer, Research Associate, Prosecutor/Defense Attorney, Judge, Detective, Parole/Probation Officer, Crime Prevention Specialist, Youth Justice Advocate, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Criminal Investigator, Correctional Officer, Crime Analyst, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Juvenile Detention, and Alternatives Coordinator
You may also choose to advance your degree as our program lays the groundwork for graduate study.
More About Our Criminal Justice Degree
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Major Core Courses
CJ 100: Intro to Criminal Justice
CJ 101: Intro to Restorative Justice
CJ 103: Intro to Criminology
CJ 216: Criminal Procedure
CJ 220: Race, Crimes, and Restorative Justice
CJ 225: Juvenile Justice and Restorative Justice
CJ 230: Police Problems and Practices
CJ 235: Punishment, Prisons, and Justice
CJ 315: Research Methods
CJ 330: Rehabilitation of the Offender
CJ 340: Victimology and Restorative Justice
CJ 410: Socioeconomic Problems, Crime and Solutions
CJ 440: Criminal Justice Internship
CJ 480: Capstone Research Project
For specific course offerings and descriptions, see the University Course Schedule.
Minors
Restorative Justice
This minor will prepare you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to assess, plan and implement restorative practices. See the RJ minor program sheet (PDF).
Criminal Justice Reform
This minor will prepare you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to respond to criminal justice reform issues. See the CJR minor program sheet (PDF).
Criminal Justice Studies
This minor allows students outside of the criminal justice studies major to explore issues of crime and the criminal justice system. See the CJS minor program sheet (PDF).
Hands-on Learning
Through internship experience and a capstone project in your senior year, you’ll develop practical knowledge and research methods that can be applied directly to your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to:
- assist disadvantages communities
- be involved in public policy advocacy
- facilitate restorative justice circles and conferences