Enrolled in the BA in Criminal Justice program, you’ll start your journey with an education based in the behavioral and social sciences that prepares you for a range of challenging career paths with an introduction to the structure, processes, and goals of the criminal justice system. At the same time, the major’s contents, along with SVSU’s overall structure, emphasizes personal growth and the field’s intersectionality through the liberal arts.
Considering the program’s goals:
- you’ll be immersed in criminal justice’s diverse and far-reaching applications through a curriculum covering policy and treatment, the court system, corrections, juvenile justice, human relations, research methods, evidence and evaluations, criminology, conflict resolution, social justice, and current trends in the field;
- electives help deepen your knowledge of corrections, criminal courts, criminology, juvenile justice, policing, security, and social justice, and you’ll be recommended to select a suggested concentration plan of study;
- you’re encouraged to reflect on criminal justice topics and nurture your critical-thinking abilities to face a range of challenges on the job;
- you’ll develop greater insight into the patterns and causes of crime, contemporary issues within the criminal justice field, the importance of security management, influencing policy related to stemming criminal activity, and the political, economic, and cultural factors contributing to criminal behaviors; and
- smaller class sizes allow you to connect with your instructors, who can recommend hands-on learning opportunities to expand real-world applications of your skills.
As a counterpoint to in-classroom learning, this bachelor’s in criminal justice program opens up multiple channels for experiential learning:
- Cooperative agreement with the Delta College Police Academy: During your senior year, attend training through Delta College for additional law enforcement exposure and apply 12 Academy credits toward your SVSU degree. Learn more about this course of study.
- Fieldwork placements: Discover your career path directly in an employment setting. You’ll complete 120 hours in an assigned public or private organization over the duration of two semesters while working with professionals who will turn into key contacts to forward your aspirations. Learn more about these assignments.
- Criminal justice groups: Alpha Phi Sigma and the Criminal Justice Society both present chances for fostering your leadership skills, developing professional-level accomplishments, and creating beneficial connections that will serve your career.
The BA in Criminal Justice requires 39 total credits, including core courses (21 credits) and electives (18 credits). These contribute to a minimum of 124 credits all students need to earn to complete their degree at SVSU, including the Basic Skills component, General Education requirements, and second major or minor.
