Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice (BA)
Students are urged to take elective courses or to consider minoring in psychology, sociology, political science, computer science, information systems, or management.
Students interested in careers in corrections work including probation and parole are urged to take courses in the social welfare sequence (SOC 320, SOC 325, SOC 402) and/or minor in either sociology with a social welfare specialization or human services.
Advanced Placement
Students interested in credit by examination should consult with the department chair. Information on credit awarded for qualifying scores on AP and IB subject examinations can be found on the equivalency charts on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website at https://www.odu.edu/admission/undergraduate/credit.
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major
STAT 130M is required for Mathematics
Language and Culture: BS students' competence must be at the 102 level. BA students must have competence through the 202 level and BA competence is not met by the associate degree.
SOC 201S is required for Human Behavior
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major.
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study.
- Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure.
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Arts and Humanities Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours).
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Criminal Justice Major
BA and BS students must complete PSYC 201S. BS students must also complete three credits from the Human Behavior Way of Knowing category in addition to the general education course selected (CRJS 215S cannot be used to meet this requirement).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 41-47 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| PSYC 201S | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Foundation Courses | ||
| CRJS 215S | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CRJS 222 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRJS 262 | Law and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| CRJS 426W | Criminological Theory * | 3 |
| CRJS 436 | Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| Stratification Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social Inequality | ||
| Sociology of Minority Families | ||
| Sociology of Women | ||
| Sexualities in Society | ||
| Sociology of Child Welfare | ||
| Minority Group Relations | ||
| Upper-Level Law Component | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Law and Social Control | ||
| Cyber Law | ||
| Children's Rights and the Law | ||
| Women, Sex Discrimination and the Law | ||
| Substantive Criminal Law | ||
or other approved course | ||
| Criminal Justice 300-400 Level Electives ** | ||
| Complete electives | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 92-104 | |
- *
Course must be completed with a C or better
- **
Any 300-400 level criminal justice course may satisfy the elective requirements. Up to six hours of internship course work may also be used.
Electives
Elective courses may be taken for the remainder of the minimum 120 credits required for the degree.
Double Major or Major and Minor in Criminal Justice and Sociology
Students double majoring in criminal justice and sociology (or vice versa) may use a maximum of five cross-listed courses for both majors. Students with a major in criminal justice and a minor in sociology (or vice versa) cannot use any cross-listed course to meet requirements for both the major and minor.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Human Behavior: SOC 201S Required | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| CRJS 215S | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Mathematical Skills: STAT 130M Required | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| CRJS 222 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSYC 201S | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| CRJS 262 | Law and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Stratification course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Upper-level Law Component | 3 | |
| CRJS 426W | Criminological Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRJS 436 | Capstone Research Project (Can be taken Fall or Spring) | 3 |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Criminal Justice and Sociology Double Major- Bachelor of Arts
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Human Behavior: SOC 201S Required | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| CRJS 215S | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Mathematical Skills: STAT 130M Required | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| CRJS 222 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSYC 201S | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| CRJS 262 | Law and the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| SOC-300/400-level course | 3 | |
| Stratification course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Upper-level Law Component | 3 | |
| CRJS 426W | Criminological Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| SOC-300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| SOC 337 | Social Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 409W | Sociological Theory (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRJS 436 | Capstone Research Project (Can be taken Fall or Spring) | 3 |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC-300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC/CRJS cross-listed 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CRJS 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC-300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC-300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| SOC/CRJS cross-listed 300/400-level elective | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.