Homeland Security and Justice Concentration

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-BS-CLS-HSJ

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  
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  
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  
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Criminal Justice Management  
Criminal Law  
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society  
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 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  
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.

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.