
PROGRAM REVISIONS ARE PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
About This Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies program combines coursework in law, psychology, sociology and other fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of crime and justice. With experienced faculty and opportunities for research and practical experience, this program prepares you for a successful career in a wide range of criminal justice roles. Read more...
Contact Information
- Program Coordinator: Tiffany Taylor | ttaylo36@kent.edu | 330-672-9474
- Speak with an Advisor
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor: Kent Campus | Regional Campuses
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- All concentrations:
Kent Campus - All concentrations except Victimology and Justice and Human Relations:
Stark Campus - General–Criminology and Justice Studies concentration only:
Ashtabula Campus
East Liverpool Campus
Salem Campus
Trumbull Campus
Tuscarawas Campus
- All concentrations:
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- -7.8% decline
- 48,700 number of jobs
- $60,910 potential earnings
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- 5.2% faster than the average
- 126,100 number of jobs
- $92,970 potential earnings
Public safety telecommunicators
- 6.2% faster than the average
- 98,300 number of jobs
- $43,290 potential earnings
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.
PROGRAM REVISIONS ARE PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 12000 | INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES | 3 |
CRIM 26704 | ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS) | 3 |
CRIM 36702 | CRIMINOLOGY | 3 |
CRIM 37311 | MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | 3 |
or CRIM 37411 | WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | |
CRIM 47211 | COURT FUNCTIONS | 3 |
SOC 12050 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 |
SOC 32210 | RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC) 1 | 3 |
SOC 32220 | DATA ANALYSIS 2 | 3 |
SOC 32221 | DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY 2 | 1 |
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
UC 10097 | 1 | |
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) | 14-16 | |
Kent Core Composition | 6 | |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3 | |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) | 9 | |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 | |
Kent Core Additional | 6 | |
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) | 35 | |
Concentrations | ||
Choose from the following: | 15 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
- 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
- 2
Students declared in both the Psychology major and Criminology and Justice Studies major may substitute PSYC 21621 in place of SOC 32220 and SOC 32221.
- 3
One additional course taken from the Kent Core Basic Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Biological Sciences (BSCI), Chemistry (CHEM), Earth Sciences (ESCI), Geography (GEOG) or Physics (PHY). The course may not be from the student's major.
- 4
One additional course taken from the Kent Core Social Science courses in the following Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Geography (GEOG), Criminology and Justice Studies (CRIM), Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOC). The course may not be from the student's major.
Corrections Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | 3 |
CRIM 46705 | COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | 3 |
CRIM 46707 | CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS | 3 |
CRIM 46708 | TREATMENT METHODS | 3 |
Concentration Elective, choose from the following: | 3 | |
CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE | ||
YOUTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM | ||
MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
CRIME, JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE | ||
INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
- 1
CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration.
Criminology and Deviance Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
or CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | |
SOC 32762 | DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | 3 |
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
VICTIMOLOGY | ||
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY | ||
MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
INTERNSHIP (ELR) | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE STUDIES | ||
SOCIAL PROBLEMS (DIVG) (KSS) | ||
INEQUALITY IN SOCIETIES (DIVD) | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
General–Criminology and Justice Studies Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
or CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | |
Criminology and Justice Studies (CRIM) Electives 1 | 6-12 | |
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 0-6 | |
PHILOSOPHY AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | ||
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | ||
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD) | ||
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY | ||
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
INEQUALITY IN SOCIETIES (DIVD) | ||
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE | ||
Paralegal Studies (PLST) Courses 2 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
- 1
A maximum 6 credit hours of the following courses may be used to fulfill the concentration electives: CRIM 45093, CRIM 45096, CRIM 46792 and/or CRIM 46798. CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required.
- 2
PLST 36792 may not be used as a concentration elective.
Justice and Human Relations Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
or CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | |
CRIM 37511 | IMMIGRATION: LAW, CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | 3 |
or CRIM 47002 | HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AND THE LAW | |
or PLST 28003 | FAMILY LAW AND PROCEDURE | |
or POL 40183 | CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD) | |
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
VICTIMOLOGY | ||
POLICE AND COMMUNITY | ||
CRISIS INTERVENTION | ||
YOUTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM | ||
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY | ||
MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
IMMIGRATION: LAW, CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
CRIME, JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE | ||
TREATMENT METHODS | ||
INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1 | ||
HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AND THE LAW | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE STUDIES | ||
FAMILY LAW AND PROCEDURE | ||
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD) | ||
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
INEQUALITY IN SOCIETIES (DIVD) | ||
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
- 1
CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration.
Law and Society Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
or CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | |
Category One Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
YOUTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM | ||
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY | ||
MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
IMMIGRATION: LAW, CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
FAMILY LAW AND PROCEDURE | ||
Category Two Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
POLICE AND COMMUNITY | ||
CRIMINAL LAW | ||
DEVELOPMENT OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA | ||
CRIME AND JUSTICE IN POPULAR CULTURE | ||
INTERNSHIP (ELR) 1 | ||
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE STUDIES | ||
COMPARATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEMS | ||
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
- 1
CRIM 46792 is recommended to fulfill concentration requirement, but is not required. Maximum 3 credit hours of CRIM 46792 may count toward the concentration or major requirements.
Policing Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
CRIM 22301 | THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS 1 | 3 |
or CRIM 27311 | VICTIMOLOGY | |
or CRIM 32500 | CRISIS INTERVENTION | |
or CRIM 46792 | INTERNSHIP (ELR) | |
CRIM 32200 | POLICE AND COMMUNITY | 3 |
CRIM 34200 | CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE | 3 |
CRIM 37311 | MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | 3 |
or CRIM 37411 | WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
- 1
CRIM 46792 is recommended; however, maximum 3 credit hours of the course may count toward the concentration or major requirements.
Victimology Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
CRIM 22300 | POLICE ROLE | 3 |
or CRIM 26701 | CORRECTIONS | |
CRIM 27311 | VICTIMOLOGY | 3 |
Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 9 | |
CRISIS INTERVENTION | ||
MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
IMMIGRATION: LAW, CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | ||
CRIME, JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE | ||
INTERNSHIP (ELR) | ||
HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AND THE LAW | ||
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
2.000 | 2.000 |
- Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of upper-division courses in their declared concentration(s).
Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.1
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options2:
- Intermediate I and II of the same language
- Elementary I and II of a second language
- Any combination of two courses from the following list:
- Intermediate I of the same language
- ARAB 21401
- ASL 19401
- CHIN 25421
- MCLS 10001
- MCLS 20001
- MCLS 20091
- MCLS 21417
- MCLS 21420
- MCLS 22217
- MCLS 28403
- MCLS 28404
- 1
All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.
- 2
Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Semester One | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
! | CRIM 12000 | INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES | 3 |
UC 10097 | 1 | ||
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Semester Two | |||
SOC 12050 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Three | |||
CRIM 26704 | ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS) | 3 | |
Concentration Requirement | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Four | |||
Concentration Requirement | 3 | ||
Foreign Language | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Kent Core Requirement | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Five | |||
CRIM 36702 | CRIMINOLOGY | 3 | |
CRIM 37311 or CRIM 37411 | MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) or WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (DIVD) | 3 | |
! | SOC 32210 | RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC) | 3 |
General Electives | 6 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Six | |||
! | SOC 32220 | DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
! | SOC 32221 | DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY | 1 |
Concentration Requirements | 9 | ||
General Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 16 | ||
Semester Seven | |||
CRIM 47211 | COURT FUNCTIONS | 3 | |
General Electives | 12 | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | ||
Semester Eight | |||
General Electives | 14 | ||
Credit Hours | 14 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Flashes 101 (UC 10001) | 1 credit hour |
Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission. | |
Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) | 2 courses |
Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core. | |
Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) | varies |
Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience. | |
Kent Core (see table below) | 36-37 credit hours |
Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course |
Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course. | |
Upper-Division Requirement | 39 credit hours |
Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate. | |
Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 credit hours |
Kent Core Requirements
Requirement | Credits/Courses |
---|---|
Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 6 |
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3 |
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) | 9 |
Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) | 6 |
Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) | 6-7 |
Kent Core Additional (KADL) | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: | 36-37 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Communicate orally and in writing
- Develop skills through experience
- Have substantive knowledge in specific areas of the discipline, namely law, law enforcement, corrections, courts and diversity
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethics
- Describe theoretical issues related to the causes of crime and development of justice practices
- Find and explain research in the field
- Develop critical thinking skills
Full Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Justice Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime, law and justice. Faculty members view crime, deviance and society’s response from the fields of sociology, political science, psychology and traditional criminal justice viewpoints. The curriculum provides a firm understanding of the basic institutions of the criminal justice system. Students are also exposed to criminological theory and diversity courses, which help them understand the complex relationship between the individual, society and the criminal justice system. The program stresses effective writing and analytical skills. Students are afforded the opportunity to earn credit through internship placements.
Students select at least one concentration in consultation with a faculty advisor or the undergraduate coordinator. Consultations with faculty enable students to make informed choices about which combination of courses will maximize their preparation for future careers and graduate education.
Criminology and Justice Studies students may apply early to the M.A. degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.
The Criminology and Justice Studies major comprises the following concentrations:
- The Corrections concentration is for students interested in pursuing careers in institutional corrections for adults or juveniles, or in such community corrections fields as probation and parole.
- The Criminology and Deviance concentration is for students interested in understanding the origins and nature of deviance and crime, their patterns and societal responses; this concentration is appropriate for students preparing for graduate study in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, public policy or social work.
- The General–Criminology and Justice Studies concentration is for students who either choose not to pursue specializations within the major or wish to pursue an individualized program of study (through general electives), which does not align with the other concentrations.
- The Justice and Human Relations concentration is for students interested in such fields as social work, counseling, clinical psychology, victimology, victim advocacy, juvenile justice, public/community relations in criminal justice, community organizing, diversity or social justice. (Interdisciplinary training and/or specialized graduate training are necessary for careers in many of those fields.)
- The Law and Society concentration is for students interested in the social relevance of law and social influences on law; this concentration is appropriate preparation for law school or graduate study in the social sciences.
- The Policing concentration is for students intending careers in law enforcement and other occupations related to security and public safety.
- The Victimology concentration is relevant for students interested in the scholarly study of crime victims, their treatment in the justice systems and programs that serve victims. It is useful for those interested in victim advocacy.