Criminal Justice Concentration

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-BS-CLS-CJUS

Criminology, Law and Society provides a focused study of the justice system and social, human, and moral problems raised in the justice field. This course of study prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, investigations, juvenile justice, private and homeland security, and related social and human services. The BS degree provides students a focused approach, requiring more courses within the field of criminology. Students who earn the BS degree either gain work experience in a criminal justice agency or complete a minor in a related field to enhance their study of justice.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Honors in the Major

Highly qualified students may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Students admitted to the honors program in the major take a two-course sequence: CRIM 491 Honors Seminar I and CRIM 492 RS: Honors Seminar II. To graduate with honors in criminology, law and society, students must complete both courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the two courses.

To receive this concentration, students complete 5 courses (15 credits) chosen from:

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses in the Major

CRIM 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core) 3
CRIM 306 Criminal Justice Ethics 1 3
CRIM 315 Research Methods and Analysis in Criminology 2 3
CRIM 424 Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights 3 3
CRIM 495 Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society (Mason Core) 3
Total Credits 15
1

CRIM 514 Legal and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice is open to students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway and can be used to fulfill the CRIM 306 requirement.

2

CRIM 515 Criminal Justice Research Methods and Data Analysis is open to students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway and can be used to fulfill the CRIM 315 requirement.

3

CRIM 521 The Constitution, Criminal Procedure, and Security is open to students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway and can be used to fulfill the CRIM 424 requirement. 

Internship or Minor in the Major

Select either 15 credits of internship or a minor: 15-20
Internship
CRIM 479& CRIM 480
Preparation for Internship
and Internship
Minor in a Related Field
Total Credits 15-20

Electives in the Major

Select ten electives from the following: 1 30
Introduction to Criminology
Introduction to Law and Society
Introduction to Homeland Security
Public Law and the Judicial Process
or GOVT 301
Public Law and the Judicial Process
Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System
Sociology of Delinquency
Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
Crime and Crime Policy
Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
Human Rights and Justice
Introduction to the Intelligence Community
Intelligence Analysis Techniques
Crime and Place
Hate Crime
Counterintelligence
Applied Criminal Psychology
Policing in America
Punishment and Corrections
Community Corrections
Crime Victims and Victimization
Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
Family Law and the Justice System
Advanced Topics in Law and Society
Criminal Courts
Community Policing
Criminal Investigations
Innovations in Policing
Guns and Crime in America
Controversial Legal Issues
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
or GOVT 423
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Criminal Justice Management
Criminal Law
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
or GOVT 460
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
Prevention and Deterrence of Crime
Theory and Politics of Terrorism
Study Abroad
Special Topics 2
Honors Seminar I
RS: Honors Seminar II
Research Practicum
Independent Study
Family Law and Public Policy
Human Trafficking and Smuggling 2
The following graduate courses are available to students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway
Justice Organizations and Processes
Policing
Evidence-based Crime and Justice Policy
Implementing Crime and Justice Policy
Leadership in Justice Organizations
Legal and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (if not used to fulfill core requirement)
Criminal Justice Research Methods and Data Analysis (if not used to fulfill core requirement)
Evaluation of Crime and Justice Policies and Practices
The Constitution, Criminal Procedure, and Security (if not used to fulfill core requirement)
Law and Social Control
Conduct of Justice Organizations at the Street Level
Corrections
Crime Analysis
Politics of Crime Policy
Crime and Place
Special Topics
Total Credits 30
1

Students may select an optional concentration to fulfill a portion of this required elective credit.

2

A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major.

Optional Concentrations in the Major

Criminology, law and society majors have the option of obtaining a concentration by completing 15 of their 30 elective credits within one of the following areas. Students can pursue only one concentration.

Available Concentrations

  • Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)
  • Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)
  • Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)

Select 15 credits from the following: 15
Introduction to Criminology
Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System
Sociology of Delinquency
Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
Crime and Crime Policy
Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
Crime and Place
Hate Crime
Applied Criminal Psychology
Policing in America
Punishment and Corrections
Community Corrections
Crime Victims and Victimization
Criminal Courts
Community Policing
Criminal Investigations
Innovations in Policing
Guns and Crime in America
Criminal Justice Management
Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
Prevention and Deterrence of Crime
Study Abroad (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Special Topics (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) 1
Honors Seminar I (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
RS: Honors Seminar II (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Research Practicum (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Independent Study (when appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Human Trafficking and Smuggling 1
The following graduate courses are available to students in the Accelerated Master's Pathway
Justice Organizations and Processes
Policing
Evidence-based Crime and Justice Policy
Implementing Crime and Justice Policy
Leadership in Justice Organizations
Evaluation of Crime and Justice Policies and Practices
Conduct of Justice Organizations at the Street Level
Corrections
Crime Analysis
Politics of Crime Policy
Crime and Place
Total Credits 15
1

A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major.

Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)

Select 15 credits from the following: 15
Introduction to Homeland Security
Introduction to the Intelligence Community
Intelligence Analysis Techniques
Counterintelligence
Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
or GOVT 460
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
Theory and Politics of Terrorism
Study Abroad (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Special Topics (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) 1
Honors Seminar I (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
RS: Honors Seminar II (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Research Practicum (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Independent Study (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Human Trafficking and Smuggling 1
Total Credits 15
1

A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major.

Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

Select 15 credits from the following: 15
Introduction to Law and Society
Public Law and the Judicial Process
or GOVT 301
Public Law and the Judicial Process
Human Rights and Justice
Hate Crime
Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
Family Law and the Justice System
Advanced Topics in Law and Society
Criminal Courts
Guns and Crime in America
Controversial Legal Issues
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
or GOVT 423
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Criminal Law
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
or GOVT 460
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society
Study Abroad (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Special Topics (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director) 1
Honors Seminar I (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
RS: Honors Seminar II (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Research Practicum (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Independent Study (when topic is appropriate with permission of undergraduate director)
Law and Social Control
Family Law and Public Policy
Human Trafficking and Smuggling 1
Total Credits 15
1

A maximum of 6 credits of INTS 417 Human Trafficking and Smuggling and/or CRIM 490 Special Topics when topic is Human Trafficking can be applied to the major.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in criminology, law and society fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CRIM 495 Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society (Mason Core). Students should complete ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core) before taking the writing-intensive course in the major or take the two courses simultaneously.

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

  • VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
  • VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
Oral Communication 3
Quantitative Reasoning 3
Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
Arts 3
Global History 3
Global Understanding 3
Literature 3
Natural Science 7
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Integration Requirements
Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
Writing-Intensive 1 3
Synthesis/Capstone 2 3
Total Credits 40
1

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

2

Minimum 3 credits required.