Study the social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities.
The Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree prepares graduates to be advanced practitioners in a variety of community and justice agency/organizational settings. The program is offered in variable formats and provides students with a core criminological knowledge foundation and the opportunity to gain further skills and enhance their graduate education.
Criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) are fields of study that incorporate an interdisciplinary perspective to examine the causes and correlates of criminal behavior as well as the institutions that respond to such behavior. A degree in criminology and criminal justice provides a comprehensive academic foundation to the nature of criminal offending, victimization, law enforcement, court administration, the law, and both community and institutional corrections.
Consistent with Saint Louis University’s Jesuit tradition, the criminology and criminal justice program seeks to strengthen the criminal justice systems and, more importantly, communities by focusing on the factors that cause crime and violence and on the humanity of victims, offenders and practitioners. This major is a good fit for students interested in legal studies, law enforcement at the local, state or federal levels and working with adults and/or juveniles in correctional settings as well as those pursuing graduate education or a law degree.
Additional degree options include:
The criminology and criminal justice curriculum covers a wide array of topics including theories of crime, criminal justice ethics, law enforcement, corrections, legal procedures and criminal justice research. In addition, students tailor the major to their individual needs and interests by selecting from courses focused on criminal justice systems and courses examining the nature of crime.
The B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 120 credits for graduation. The program offers coursework that provides students with a foundation for understanding the causes and correlates of crime and the systems that respond to criminal and delinquent behavior. The program’s unique focus on human justice supports students’ understanding of the humanity of all who are involved in the justice system including victims, offenders and practitioners. Through rigorous academic coursework, students become educated consumers of information and research that can be applied to justice settings. Community-based experiential learning opportunities train students to be effective and transformative practitioners and citizens. Through an integration of scholarship and community-engaged service, students become aware of issues related to human and social justice in an increasingly diverse and globalized world.
Benefits of the program also include internship and job opportunities. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship and/or externship, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience and make professional contacts prior to pursuing employment. Partnerships with a wide variety of agencies and organizations all over St. Louis City and St. Louis County provide students with diverse options for their internship and/or externship experiences. Placement options include working with juveniles or adults in private or public agencies at the local, state or federal level and a number of local community-based agencies working with at-risk individuals.
Saint Louis University has a strong service-learning foundation. Students embody the Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others. Service learning also provides valuable field experience for criminology and criminal justice students, and enhances their connectedness with the St. Louis community.
Students can also volunteer at organizations around St. Louis as the criminology and criminal justice program collaborates with more than 250 social service agencies where students can explore criminology and criminal justice professions with guidance from seasoned experts.
For students interested in studying abroad there are a wide variety of programs, including a campus located in Madrid, Spain.
A CCJ degree opens doors to employment in the criminal and juvenile justice systems and many nonprofit organizations. Graduates might also pursue further education in law or other social sciences in preparation for academic, research, or other professional careers.
Career opportunities in criminology and criminal justice include:
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements 1 | 42 | |
Criminology and Criminal Justice Courses | ||
CCJ 1010 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
CCJ 2000 | Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice 2 | 3 |
CCJ 2050 | Multiculturalism for the Criminal Justice Professionals | 3 |
CCJ 2150 | Criminology: Nature of Crime 2 | 3 |
CCJ 2500 | Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice 2 | 3 |
CCJ 3200 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
CCJ 4960 | Criminology and Criminal Justice Capstone | 3 |
Criminal Justice Systems Courses | ||
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Policing & Society | ||
Institutional & Community Corrections | ||
Juvenile Justice & Delinquency | ||
Criminal Law & Procedure | ||
Criminal Investigations | ||
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship | ||
Nature of Crime Courses | ||
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Juvenile Justice & Delinquency | ||
Contemporary Theories of Crime | ||
Corporate & White Collar Crime | ||
Understanding Serial Killers | ||
Victimology & Victimization | ||
Race & Crime | ||
The Science of Evil | ||
Mental Health & Crime | ||
Externship in CCJ | ||
General Elective Courses | ||
Select an additional 39 credits of general electives to achieve the minimum 120 credits for graduation. | 39 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
1 | A more detailed explanation of core curriculum requirements can be found in the BACCJ Student Handbook. |
2 | Students are advised to take CCJ 2150 Criminology: Nature of Crime (3 cr) prior to CCJ 3150 Contemporary Theories of Crime (3 cr) and CCJ 2000 Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 cr) prior to CCJ 2500 Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 cr). |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
English & Communications | ||
CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
ENGL 2XXX-3XXX | Literary Studies | 3 |
History | ||
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
HIST 1610 | History of the United States Since 1865 | 3 |
Philosophy & Theology | ||
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
THEO 2XXX-4XXX: Theology Elective | 3 | |
Mathematics | ||
MATH 1200 | College Algebra | 3 |
Natural Science | 3 | |
Select from BIOL, CHEM, PHYS or EAS | ||
Fine & Performing Arts | 3 | |
Select from ART, ARTH, DANC, THR or MUSC | ||
Foreign Language | 6 | |
Students select two foreign language courses to total up to six credits. At minimum, courses can be Level I for two different languages or through Level II for one language. | ||
Global Health | ||
PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
Total Credits | 42 |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
CCJ 1010 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
MATH 1200 | College Algebra (or higher) 1 | 3 |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
English 2XXX+ | 3 | |
Fine & Performing Arts | 3 | |
CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
History Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Foreign Language Course | 3 | |
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Criminal Justice Systems Course | 3 | |
Foreign Language Course | 3 | |
Natural Sciences Course | 3 | |
THEO 2XXX+ Elective 3 | 3 | |
History Course | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
CCJ 2000 | Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
CCJ 3200 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
CCJ 2150 | Criminology: Nature of Crime | 3 |
Criminal Justice Systems Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CCJ 2500 | Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
CCJ 2050 | Multiculturalism for the Criminal Justice Professionals | 3 |
CCJ Nature of Crime Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Criminal Justice Systems Course | 3 | |
CCJ Nature of Crime Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CCJ Nature of Crime Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
CCJ 4960 | Criminology and Criminal Justice Capstone | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
1 | Prerequisite: MATH 0260 Intermediate Algebra (can be waived per department assessment) |
2 | Prerequisite: PHIL 1050 Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality |
3 | Prerequisite: THEO 1000 Theological Foundations |