Criminology and Criminal Justice5105 Camille Kendall Academic Center, 301-738-6307
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Room 5103 The Major Criminology and criminal justice encompasses the study of both the causes of, and responses to crime. It involves studying individual, group, and mass behavior, as well as the institutions, professions, and laws that exist to detect, control, and ameliorate the effects of crime. As a discipline, criminology and criminal justice is situated at the nexus of other social science disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and government, in addition to public policy and legal studies.
The Program Learning Outcomes Having completed the CCJS degree program, students should have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
Requirements for the Major The major in Criminology & Criminal Justice comprises 30 hours of coursework in criminology and criminal justice. Eighteen (18) hours of supporting sequence selected from a list of social and behavioral science courses are required (list is available in the CCJS advising office and on the department website). No grade lower than a C- may be used toward the major. Students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average across all courses, including the supporting sequence, used to satisfy major degree requirements. Nine (9) hours of the supporting sequence must be at the 300/400 level. In addition, MATH111 or higher (MATH220, MATH140 or STAT100, but not MATH113 or MATH115) and CCJS200 (or an approved course in social statistics) must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. A grade of 'C' or better is required in MATH111 as a prerequisite to CCJS200.
Other Requirements for the Major The CCJS Department enforces all prerequisites and does not oversubscribe students to courses that are closed. Advising
All majors are strongly encouraged to see an advisor at least once each semester. Advising is available by appointment in the Internships Requirements for Internship Placements The internship must be a learning experience involving work in a criminal justice or criminological setting. Interns are expected to gain valuable information which will add to their overall understanding of the field of criminology and criminal justice. Internship positions must center around gaining new material over the course of the semester and are expected to involve some degree of ongoing training/learning for the intern. Internship placements are subject to the approval of the Internship Director. Internship Eligibility Interns must meet the following criteria:
Interns must register themselves for the internship prior to the end of the semester's schedule adjustment period. Obtaining Departmental approval for the internship does NOT register the student for the class. Additional information about internships can be picked up from the CCJS advising office in Building III, room 5105. Student Societies and Professional Organizations There are two Student Societies available for membership for CCJS majors: the Criminal Justice Student Association (CRIMSA) and Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society (APS). The Criminal Justice Student Association (CRIMSA) is dedicated to supplementing our members' academic experience by providing extracurricular opportunities to further explore critical issues involving criminology and criminal justice. Through a regular program of speakers, agency demonstrations, and community service projects, the CRIMSA provides students with valuable information for making decisions about career choices, further graduate level study, and law school. CRIMSA provides students with opportunities for academic and social interaction, and access to criminology and criminal justice researchers, teachers, and practitioners representing a variety of government, academic and commercial corporate and non-profit organizations. All Universities at Shady Grove students, regardless of home institution or major, are eligible for CRIMSA membership. CRIMSA meetings and programs are held at least monthly during the Fall and Spring semesters. CRIMSA members pay a one-time membership fee of $35. Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) is a National Criminal Justice Honor Society founded 1942 and membership is open to CCJS majors who have completed at least 40 total credits with at least 12 credits in CCJS courses. Undergraduate Applicants must have an overall GPA of at least a 3.2 and a major GPA of at least 3.4. Graduate student applicants must have a 3.4 overall GPA. Applicants must fill out an application, submit an official or unofficial transcript, and a check (personal check is fine) made out to Alpha Phi Sigma for $55. The local chapter's name is Omega Iota. Completed applications, check, and transcripts should be submitted to Dr. Gerstenblith in Building III, room 5105. Applications are processed throughout the academic year. You will be notified when you have been officially accepted. Applications are available from Dr. Gerstenblith. Awards and Recognition Each year the department selects the outstanding graduating senior for the Peter J. Lejins award. |