Criminology and Criminal Justice Major (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Hamline’s criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) major provides students a social science approach to the study of crime. The required courses provide a foundation in crime and justice, and social research methods to understand criminal justice policy and interventions. CCJ majors develop 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 criminal justice interventions being used by professionals today.

Hamline University is unique in offering students the opportunity to complement their CCJ major with a forensic and investigative science minor. CCJ majors also have the option to complete an interdisciplinary concentration in forensic psychology or public policy. See below for details.

CCJ Major Requirements

A student majoring in criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) must complete 12 courses using the guidelines described below.

CCJ Core (five courses):

CJFS 1120 - Crime and Justice in America
CJFS 1400 - Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (must be completed at Hamline)
CJFS 3140 - Research Methods and Data Analysis (must be completed at Hamline)
CJFS 3750 - Theories of Criminal Behavior (must be completed at Hamline)
CJFS 5660 - Senior Capstone and Internship in CJFS (must be completed at Hamline)

Statistics (select one):

Criminology Core Competency (select one):

Students must complete at least one criminology core competency course at Hamline. Students may take more than one course or transfer a course from this area towards their additional elective course requirements.

Criminal Justice Core Competency (select one):

Students must complete at least one criminal justice core competency course at Hamline. Students may take more than one course or transfer a course from this area towards their additional elective course requirements.

4 Additional Elective Courses

To complete the major, students must complete 4 additional elective courses from the list below. At least 2 courses must be CJFS courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take more than 2 CJFS designated courses.

Optional Interdisciplinary Concentrations

Students pursuing a criminology and criminal justice major may also choose to complete an interdisciplinary concentration in forensic psychology or public policy.

Forensic Psychology Concentration

The forensic psychology concentration provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of crime, motivations for criminal behavior, and the response and use of psychology in the criminal justice and legal systems. Although a graduate degree is usually required for a career as a forensic psychologist, the concentration introduces students to foundational knowledge in criminology, psychology, and legal studies and includes an interdisciplinary senior seminar.

The Forensic Psychology Concentration is open to students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice , Legal Studies , or Psychology .

Concentration Requirements

Statistics (select one):

Public Policy Concentration

The public policy concentration educates students about public policy and helps them to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to create innovative, socially responsible solutions to the most critical issues facing society. The program forms an arc, beginning with an introduction to ethical public policy, building skills with methodology coursework, and culminating with a capstone experience in which students engage directly with a public policy issue in a semester-long applied project or internship. Students will acquire an extensive set of skills in policy evaluation and analysis, equipping them to become agents of change to improve the quality of life for people and their communities, at home and abroad. The public policy concentration is open to students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice , Economics , Environmental and Climate Studies , Legal Studies , Political Science , or Public Health .

Concentration Requirements

PSCI 1200 - Introduction to Ethical Public Policy

One foundational methods course chosen from the following:

Two public policy courses:

Two electives chosen from the following:

(these courses help students to engage in policy analysis or navigate political/legal systems effectively)

Two electives chosen from the following:

(these courses help students to develop expertise in specific policy areas)

One senior capstone chosen from the following:

The capstone should be completed in the student’s major area and should include an applied public policy research project or internship.