MSU Billings Catalog

Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degree (Offered online)

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of police, correctional, and court systems in America
  • Apply theory to discuss important topics in criminal justice
  • Use data to evaluate crime data, victimization data, and crime policy
  • Conduct and present findings from independent research on contemporary issues in criminal justice

Required Courses

General Education Requirements31
Major Coursework
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) fulfill both General Education and major requirements, ultimately reducing the number of credits required.
Our Social World
SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology *3
or SOCI 201 Social Problems
The Criminal Justice System
CJUS 121Intro to Criminal Justice3
CJUS 205Intro Criminal Law and Courts3
CJUS 220Introduction to Corrections3
CJUS 227Introduction to Policing3
CJUS 305Crit Issues in Law and Courts3
CJUS 320Critical Issues in Corrections3
CJUS 327Critical Issues in Policing3
Career and Personal Development
CJUS 225Careers in Criminal Justice3
CJUS 421Criminal Justice Ethics3
CJUS 498Internship/Cooperative Educ3
HTH 110Personal Health and Wellness *3
PHL 110Introduction to Ethics *3
Theory, Data, and Research
CJUS 400Applied Research Methods3
CJUS 480Crime Theory & Data3
CJUS 499Senior Thesis/Capstone3
LSCI 125Research in the Info Age *3
STAT 141Intro to Statistical Concepts *3
or STAT 216 Introduction to Statistics
WRIT 201College Writing II3
or WRIT 220 Business & Prof Writing
or WRIT 221 Intermediate Tech Writing
Advanced Study in Criminal Justice
CJUS 491Special Topics3
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Victimology
Inequality in Criminal Justice
Deviance and Social Control
Seminar/Workshop
American Indian Policy and Law
Criminology
Juvenile Delinquency
Sociology Hunting & Poaching
Subtotal66
Minor and ElectivesVaries
Criminal justice majors are expected to complete either a minor or a second major.
Total Minimum Credits120
*

May satisfy General Education requirements.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall
CJUS 121Intro to Criminal Justice3
CJUS 205Intro Criminal Law and Courts3
SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology3
or SOCI 201 Social Problems
Cultural Diversity Gen Ed3
History Gen Ed3
Total15
Spring
CJUS 227Introduction to Policing3
WRIT 201College Writing II3
or WRIT 220 Business & Prof Writing
or WRIT 221 Intermediate Tech Writing
Fine Arts Gen Ed3
Electives/Minor Coursework6
Total15
Overall Total30
Second Year
Fall
HTH 110Personal Health and Wellness3
LSCI 125Research in the Info Age3
PHL 110Introduction to Ethics3
Physical Science Gen Ed + Lab4
Elective/Minor Coursework3
Total16
Spring
CJUS 220Introduction to Corrections3
CJUS 225Careers in Criminal Justice3
CJUS 327Critical Issues in Policing3
STAT 141Intro to Statistical Concepts3
or STAT 216 Introduction to Statistics
Natural Science Gen Ed3
Total15
Overall Total61
Third Year
Fall
CJUS 305Crit Issues in Law and Courts3
Electives/Minor Coursework12
Total15
Spring
CJUS 320Critical Issues in Corrections3
CJUS 400Applied Research Methods3
Electives/Minor Coursework9
Total15
Overall Total91
Fourth Year
Fall
CJUS 421Criminal Justice Ethics3
CJUS 480Crime Theory & Data3
Electives/Minor Coursework9
Total15
Spring
CJUS 491Special Topics3
CJUS 498Internship/Cooperative Educ3
CJUS 499Senior Thesis/Capstone3
Electives/Minor Coursework5
Total14
Overall Total120