Criminal Justice Administration

Students standing by the grass

  

About the B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration is designed to provide students with a high quality education that prepares them to think critically about research and policy as they relate to policing, courts, and corrections. In this regard, the Criminal Justice Administration curriculum seeks to prepare students for careers in public service, social justice, civic engagement, collaborative governance, and ethical leadership. The curriculum also serves as excellent preparation for graduate education in these and related areas.

The degree program requires:

  1. Completion of two lower division required courses common to all students in the Department of Public Administration & Public Policy;
  2. Completion of a set of upper division core courses common to all Criminal Justice Administration students; and
  3. Four elective courses.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration degree is a single-field major, which means that students are not required to complete a minor for graduation.

Degree Requirements

All new majors are classified as “pre-criminal justice administration majors” until lower-division requirements are met. Upper division advanced and concentration courses are available only to declared Criminal Justice Administration majors.

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration consists of:

    • General Education Requirement
    • Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
    • Major Requirement
    • Elective Requirement

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree from CSUDH.

Concentration in Homeland Securities Studies

Students in the Criminal Justice Program have the option to select the concentration in Homeland Security Studies. The concentration in Homeland Security Studies prepares students to make significant contributions to the community in the fields of homeland security and criminal justice administration. Completion of the HSS concentration provides students with a conceptual context for understanding homeland security, potential threats and vulnerabilities, and an understanding of preparedness, response, and recovery including countering plausible threat scenarios in the United States.

  

Program Learning Outcomes

The CJA Program Learning Outcomes are aligned with CSUDH Undergraduate Institutional Learning Outcomes. Upon completion of the B.S. in CJA, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research, and case law in criminal justice administration (Disciplinary Proficiency).
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking and skeptical inquiry in their analysis of problems and potential solutions related to criminal justice administration (Critical Thinking).
  3. Understand and assess the role of diversity and multicultural perspectives in the policies, practices, and culture of criminal justice administration (Engaged Citizenry).
  4. Present well-organized and well-supported arguments in both written and oral formats (Communication).
  5. Evaluate and practice ethical decision-making in criminal justice administration (Engaged Citizenry.)
  6. Identify, access, utilize, and evaluate various forms of information (Information Literacy).
 

Minor in Criminal Justice Administration

The Minor in Criminal Justice Administration is comprised 15 units (6 required units and 9 elective units). View the CSUDH Academic Catalog to view course details.

 

Student Associations

Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society for students in the criminal justice sciences. The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates as well as graduate students of criminal justice. For further information, go to the CSUDH Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter's website. Please contact APS Faculty Advisor, Dr. Shari Berkowitz.

 

Facilities

Courses are primarily taught in the new Innovation & Instruction Building located at the front of the CSUDH campus. The building has numerous open lounge seating areas, closed student study breakout rooms, new classrooms, the CBAPP Investment Lab, the Innovation Incubator for entrepreneurs and help with business start-up, the Student Success Center which provides student advisement services, and the EcoGrounds coffee shop. The campus is equipped with free Wi-Fi for students, and virtual and in-person technical support.