Criminal Justice Studies, Forensics, B.I.S.

B.I.S. In Criminal Justice Studies

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Criminal Justice Studies prepares graduates for a variety of criminal justice careers, including traditional police, courts, and corrections jobs in the public sector and ever expanding opportunities in the private sector. This major gives students an overall understanding of the organization and administration of the American criminal justice system and an academic concentration to enhance specific knowledge and skills in one of four areas: Applied Organization Management, Forensics, Sociology, or Substance Abuse. The program of study for the BIS in Criminal Justice Studies consists of four components: General Education Requirements (44 hours); Core Requirements (27 hours); Track Requirements (21 hours for Applied Organization Management, 27 hours for Forensics, 24 hours for Sociology, or 21 hours for Substance Abuse); and Electives* (22-28 hours).

General Education: 44 Sem. Hrs.

See General Education Program  for available options in each category.

• ENG 1050. Composition I (3 credits)
• ENG 1060. Composition II (3 credits)
• Fine Art (3 credits)
• Literature (3 credits)
• History (3 credits)
• Philosophy and Religion (3 credits)
• Social Sciences (9 credits)
• Natural Science (6 credits)
• Mathematics (3 credits)
• Physical Education (2 credits)
• General Education Electives (6 credits)

Major-Specific General Education Requirements

Please note that many majors have specific general education requirements. Please see a faculty advisor in your department if you need further clarification. You will be required to take the following courses to meet your general education and criminal justice requirements including:

For the Forensics Track Only:

• BIO 1000. Principles of Biology (3 credits)
• CHM 1300. General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHM 1310. General Chemistry II (3 credits)
• MAT 1070. College Algebra (3 credits)
• PSY 1010. Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Core Requirements: 27 Sem. Hrs.

• CRJ 2000. Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

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• CRJ 2400. Criminology (3 credits) or
• SOC 2400. Criminology (3 credits)

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• CRJ 3000. Criminal Law (3 credits)
• CRJ 3010. Criminal Justice Writing/Rhetoric (3 credits)
• CRJ 3150. Criminal Investigation (3 credits)

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• CRJ 3600. Social Statistics (3 credits) or
• SOC 3600. Social Statistics (3 credits)

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• CRJ 3610. Social Research (3 credits) or
• SOC 3610. Social Research (3 credits)

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• CRJ 4000. Criminal Procedure (3 credits)
• And 3 additional hours of 4000-level courses with a CRJ prefix or cross-listed with CRJ

Forensics Track: 27 Sem. Hrs.

• BIO 3180. Principles of Genetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 1000. Laboratory Investigations and Experiences in General Biology (1 credit)

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• CHM 1100. General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit) and
• CHM 1110. General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)

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• CHM 2270. Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHM 2500. Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)

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• CHM 3110. Biochemistry (3 credits) and
• CHM 3120. Experimental Methods in Biochemistry (1 credit)

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• CHM 3210. Biochemistry II (3 credits)
• CHM 3240. DNA Analysis Laboratory (1 credit)
• CHM 4200. Forensic Chemistry (4 credits)

ELECTIVES*: 22 Sem. Hrs.

*Students entering the BIS Program with an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Arts degree from a two-year institution recognized by an accepted institutional accreditor may receive up to 30 hours of transfer credit towards Electives upon verification of such degree.  Accepted institutional accreditors include but are not limited to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).  Other US Department of Education recognized national accreditors which are not listed above may also be considered acceptable.

TOTAL: 120 Sem. Hrs.