Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Crime and Justice Studies Major


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Crime and Justice Studies is an innovative new major, grounded in the liberal arts tradition. In the study of Crime and Justice we encourage broad theoretical inquiries on issues of social and criminal justice. These include both questions of critical inquiry (what is crime, what is law and what is justice) as well as comprehensive analyses of structural, institutional and State violence. This necessitates the study of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism and classism as they relate to the criminal justice system’s policies and practices.

This is an interdisciplinary program that draws on a range of resources across the University and provides rigorous intellectual challenges. The program will focus on the social ethical considerations unique to the field of crime and justice, with the goal of giving students new opportunities to combine a university education with enhanced avenues for career advancement and public service.

All courses counting for the major must be completed with a C- or higher.

Students seeking admissions into the Crime and Justice Studies major must have earned a minimum of 45 credits  with a minimum of 2.75 G.P.A. overall.  Students interested in majoring in Crime and Justice Studies must see the Director of the Crime and Justice Studies Program for permission to enter the program, discuss the program requirements and arrange for a permanent advisor.

Requirements


To successfully complete the program for graduation, all students must:

  • Maintain a minimum of 2.75 GPA in the major
  • Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA overall GPA
  • Meet the CJS major requirements
  • Complete 30 credits at the 300/400 level (this includes courses in the major, excluding Experiential Learning)
  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits, at least 45 of which must be earned at UMass Dartmouth
  • Complete the General Education requirements of the university
  • Complete the distribution requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences

Departmental Requirements


Interdisciplinary Electives


Students must choose twelve (12) credits of upper level electives from at least two different disciplines. One course from the CJS electives and Interdisciplinary Electives must address the topic of gender / sexuality and another course must address issues of race/ethnicity.   Appropriate courses addressing the topic of gender/sexuality are: CJS 321, CJS 365, ECO 343, PSC 332, PSC 339, SOC 300, SOC 319, SOC 325, SOC 336 or SOC 364.  Appropriate courses addressing issues of race / ethnicity are: CJS 339, SOC 310, SOC 331, SOC 332, SOC 337, SOC 359, SOC 364. Substitutions may be made only with written approval of CJS Director.

Total Credits: 42


Note


Work experience or internships outside of the department may not be substituted for CJS 450 Internship.

As part of the articulation agreement with the Massachusetts Community Colleges, it is anticipated that students arriving with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field may have satisfied the requirements for CJS 190 Introduction to Crime and Justice Studies.

General Education Departmental Requirements


Students majoring in Crime and Justice Studies will meet their departmentally-controlled General Education requirements as follows:

Area I Tier 2


 Students select a course from approved list.

Area W, Tier 2


 Students select a course from approved list.

Area O


 Students select a course from approved list.

Area M


 Students select a course from approved list.

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