Criminal Justice Concentration
Other Concentrations
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select either 15 credits of internship or a minor: | 15-20 | |
| Internship | ||
| Preparation for Internship and Internship |
||
| Minor in a Related Field | ||
| Total Credits | 15-20 | |
Electives in the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with 15 of their 30 elective credits.
Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
