At the undergraduate level, students interested in criminal justice typically acquire a background in psychology, legal studies, sociology and criminal studies accented with course work in crisis management and urban geography. Internships are recommended to supplement and extend in-class learning. Students who graduate with an Individualized Study BA or BS with a concentration in Criminal Justice may pursue careers in the law, public policy, private security firms and law enforcement agencies on the local, state and national level.
All students are required to take the INDS core curriculum as part of their self designed degree.
- INDS 330 Ways of Knowing
- INDS 335 Degree Plan Writing Seminar
- INDS 430 Special Topics or INDS 410 Internship
- INDS 480 Capstone Project Seminar
- INDS 490 Capstone Project
Other course work in your self designed degree may be drawn from the following. You are not limited to these courses. Your INDS degree theme could include courses from other disciplines. Be sure to check the prerequisites for any course you want to take. It is recommended that you work with your INDS advisor as you develop your own list and timeline which will be formalized in INDS 335.
Other courses to consider
- PSYC 285 Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 304 Adolescent Psychology
- PSYC 324 Introduction to Interviewing Techniques
- PSYC 342 The Psychology of Aggression and Antisocial Behavior
- PSYC 350 Psychology of the Law
- SOCY 201 Social Problems in American Society
- SOCY 300 Methodology of Social Research
- SOCY 321 Race and Ethnic Relations
- SOCY 330 Deviance in Contemporary Society
- SOCY 369 Causes of Crime and Delinquency
- SOCY 370 Sociology of Law
- SOCY 371 Criminology and Penology
- SOCY 372 Juvenile Delinquency
- SOCY 374 Drugs and Alcohol in Society
- POLI 230 Introduction to Constitutional Law
- POLI 334 Judicial Process
- POLI/GWST 338 Women, Gender, and Law
- POLI 339 Legal Advocacy
- POLI 385 International Security
- POLI 388 International Conflict and Cooperation
- POLI 395 National Security Policy of the United States
- ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 322 Forensic Anthropology
- SOWK 370 Social Work and the Criminal Justice System
- SOWK/GWST 376 Intimate Partner Violence
- SOWK 388 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- HIST 208 Global Terrorism
- HIST 313 US Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
- HIST 349 American Intelligence: The Revolution to 9/11
- AFST/GWST 371 The Female Offender
- AFST 392 Race, Crime, and Public Policy
- PHIL 356 Philosophy of Law
- MLL 305 Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Examples of students with INDS degrees in Criminal Justice:
Rafid Chowdhury, class of 2022 *currently a Police Cadet with Montgomery County
Sara Stewart, class of 2024
Shanika Freeman, class of 2024
Schedule an appointment with an Advisor today!
Updated 02/25/25