Criminology and Criminal Justice Major

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Major Program

Hamline’s criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) major provides students a social science approach to the study of crime. The required courses provide a broad foundation in crime and justice, and social research methods to understand criminal justice policy and interventions. Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) majors develop a working knowledge of the key components of the criminal justice system. Students learn how policy impacts both the institutions and individuals working within the system. Majors gain a solid methodological foundation to critique policy and correctional interventions being used by professionals today. Hamline University is unique in offering students the opportunity to complement their CCJ major with a forensic science minor.

CCJ Major Requirements

A student majoring in criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) must complete 44 credits using the guidelines described below.

The following 5 courses are required for all CCJ majors.

Required Corrections Competency: Choose One.

Choose one of the following corrections courses. Students can take both courses and count one towards their additional 16 elective credits.

CJFS 3760 - Juvenile Delinquency/Juvenile Justice - covers juvenile corrections
CJFS 3770 - Punishment, Corrections and Society - covers adult corrections

Required Policy and Practice Competency: Choose One.

Choose one of the following courses that examines how the study of crime, policy, and practice intersect. The following courses represent the areas of policing (CJFS 3700), courts and sentencing (CJFS 3740), policy evaluation (CJFS 3790), or criminal law (CJFS 3710). Students are encouraged to take more than one course from this area towards their additional 16 elective credits.

16 Additional Elective Credits

To complete the major, students must complete 16 additional elective credits from the list below. At least 8 credits must be CJFS courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take more than 8 credits of CJFS designated courses.