Justice & Policy Studies Majors
Hollyce C. Giles, Associate Professor, Chair
Jerry Joplin, Professor
William C. Pizio, Associate Professor
Barbara Lawrence, Assistant Professor
Sanjay Marwah, Assistant Professor
Lois Fuchs, Visiting Instructor
Daniel Rhodes, Visiting Instructor
Aaron Fetrow, Adjunct
The Department of Justice and Policy Studies offers two majors, Community and Justice Studies, and Criminal Justice. The Community and Justice Studies major focuses on policies and strategies of public service organizations. Taking an applied interdisciplinary approach, the department works with other departments and many community groups, to emphasize understanding public service organizations, problem-solving, values in public policies, civic activism and strategies for changing organizations. Graduates of the Community and Justice Studies major have pursed graduate study and careers in urban affairs, public administration, law and related vocations. Graduates also have undertaken careers in community organizing and in nonprofit community service organizations focusing on mediation and conflict resolution, spouse and child abuse and similar issues. Many students look forward to civic activism, influencing policy in their communities, and supporting their communities through service.
The Criminal Justice major focuses on policies, history and problems of the American criminal justice system. Graduates of the major may choose to pursue graduate study or careers in law, urban studies, public administration, law enforcement, courts, corrections, or juvenile justice. Nonprofit community service organizations focusing on mediation, conflict resolution and spouse and child abuse are other options. Many students look forward to involving themselves in policy-making or careers in related criminal justice fields.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Justice Studies and Criminal Justice.
Major Requirements for the B.S. in Community and Justice Studies
The major consists of 32 credit hours (eight courses), as specified below.
- JPS 103 Community Problem Solving – 4 credits
- JPS 262 Restorative Justice – 4 credits
- JPS 310 Public Management and Organizational Theory – 4 credits
- JPS 339 Research Methods – 4 credits
- One course from: 4 credits
- JPS 220 Community Building Fundamentals
- JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies
- JPS 290 Internship
- JPS 405 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- One course from: 4 credits
- JPS 301 Criminal Justice Policy and Practice
- JPS 313 Law and Society
- JPS 336 Understanding Oppressive Systems
- JPS 365 Race, Society and Criminal Justice
- JPS 424 Trust and Violence
- JPS 425 Family Violence
- JPS 440 Counseling
- One course from: 4 credits
- JPS 220 Community Building Fundamentals
- JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies
- JPS 290 Internship
- JPS 301 Criminal Justice Policy and Practice
- JPS 313 Law and Society
- JPS 336 Understanding Oppressive Systems
- JPS 365 Race, Society and Criminal Justice
- JPS 405 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- JPS 424 Trust and Violence
- JPS 425 Family Violence
- JPS 440 Counseling
- JPS 447 Basic Group Facilitation (Available only to juniors and seniors completing their major.) – 4 credits
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in Community and Justice Studies – 32 credits
Major Requirements for the B.S. in Criminal Justice
The major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (10 courses).
- JPS 100 Inquiry into Criminal Justice – 4 credits
- JPS 200 Criminal Procedure – 4 credits
- JPS 233 Deviance and Society - 4 credits
- JPS 339 Research Methods – 4 credits
- JPS 480 Capstone Seminar - 4 credits
- One course from: 4 credits
- JPS 202 Law Enforcement and Police Roles
- JPS 203 Punishment and Corrections
- JPS 204 Courts: Prosecution and Trials
- One courses from: 4 credits
- JPS 201 Criminal Law
- JPS 202 Law Enforcement and Police Roles
- JPS 203 Punishment and Corrections
- JPS 204 Courts: Prosecution and Trials
- JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies
- JPS 250 Special Topic
- JPS 260 Independent Study
- JPS 262 Restorative Justice
- JPS/PSY 270 Interpersonal Communications
- JPS 290 Internship
- Two JPS 300 or 400 level courses – 8 credits
- One JPS course at the 400 level – 4 credits
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in Criminal Justice – 40 credits
