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2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [FINAL EDITION]
Criminal Justice, BA (Extended Learning)
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120 semester hours of credit required for degree
The criminal justice major prepares students for careers in criminal corrections, the courts system, police work, probation, and other law-related professions. The program is also a good preparation for graduate work in law, public and criminal justice system administration, and the social sciences in general. The major is broad based, emphasizing the study of crime within the context of the larger disciplines of sociology, government and politics, and psychology.
The major provides a solid theoretical understanding of the administration of justice in the United States at local, state, and federal levels. Its goals are to have students understand the changing nature of the relationship between criminal justice institutions and the persons and groups that make up the environment of these institutions and to explore historically and comparatively the social forces that shape differing kinds and rates of criminal conduct.
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Distribution Requirements
All students are required to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in each of the three areas of humanities, social science, and science/mathematics. A Semester hour consists of one hour per week in a classroom per semester or two to three hours in laboratory or fieldwork per semester. This requirement is based on the conviction that a baccalaureate degree represents more than expertise in a specific field. Students broaden themselves by taking courses in academic areas that have traditionally been at the heart of an undergraduate education. Students should work closely with advisors in selecting courses appropriate to their interests and academic needs.
Courses taken on pass/no pass basis may not be used to satisfy the university distribution requirement. Both semester-long and certain module courses may be used to satisfy districution requirements.
The Following Subject Areas Satisfy Distribution Requirements:
Humanities
art history
creative writing
English (excluding ENGL 100 , ENGL 101 , ENGL 111 )
history
humanities
modern language
music
philosophy
Science and Mathematics
astronomy
biology
chemistry
computer science (excluding CSCI 101 –124)
earth and space science
enviromental science
mathematics (excluding MATH 101 –110)
physics
PSY 355
science (excluding SCI 100 )
Social Science
anthropology
criminal justice
economics (EC 201, EC 202 only)
communication studies (COMS 130 , COMS 180 , COMS 275 , COMS 290 , COMS 390 )
political science
psychology (excluding PSY 381, 382, 383, 384, PSY 385 , PSY 395 , PSY 409 , PSY 410 , 419, PSY 423 )
social science (excluding SSCI 409, 410)
sociology
Depending on the major, specific courses may be required within each of the three areas.
Major Requirements
Requirements for students majoring in criminal justice, liberal studies, organizational development and leadership, and psychology—ENGL 101 is required to ensure writing skill. Students must complete a 3- to 4-credit mathematics course. Majors may have a computer course requirement.
Humanities (12 Credits)
At least one course in humanities must be at an advanced level (300 level), except for students taking two semesters of modern language.
- Any history course (3 credits)
- Any one course from any of these four areas: English literature (130 level or above), art history, music, or philosophy (3 credits)
- Two additional courses in humanities (6 credits)
Science/Mathematics (12 Credits)
One semester of a science course with an associated laboratory, one semester of mathematics (MATH 111 or above), plus additional courses in science or mathematics (MATH 111 or above).
Social Science (12 Credits)
- Two introductory social science courses in different fields, which will give a societal/cultural perspective (6 credits)
- Two additional courses in social science, one of which must be at an advanced level (200 level and above) (6 credits)
Students are encouraged to take further courses in social science or humanities about other cultures and societies.
Additionally
An upper-level interdisciplinary course that involves a discussion of values as affecting individual and societal decision making. Students must have completed a minimum of 90 credits, with six semester hours in each of the following: science and mathematics, humanities, and social science.
General Education Goals
By completing these requirements, students at Widener fulfill the university’s general education goals, which state:
- Students communicate effectively.
- Students use quantitative methods effectively.
- Students understand the world from multiple perspectives.
- Students cultivate an awareness of themselves and their role within the human community.
- Students cultivate an awareness of their relationship to the natural world.
- Students understand ethical theories and how to apply them personally and professionally.
- Students understand and apply methods of inquiry and interpretation.
- Students think critically.
Moreover, graduates become liberally educated, possessing knowledge beyond the boundaries of a chosen field or discipline.
Basic Studies (12 Credits)
Program Core (49 Credits)
Electives (31 Credits)
- Free electives 31 Credit(s)
Total Credits: 120
†The research sequence begins in the fall and covers four semesters (2 years, with no research courses offered in the summer).
Additional Preclinical Requirements
Criminal justice majors are required to maintain a 2.0 average in the major. This GPA is calculated using the criminal justice core requirements only. Student GPAs will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. If the the student’s GPA falls under 2.0, the student is required to retake the courses in which he/she recieved below a C in order to raise the GPA to a 2.0. The student will retake the courses during the following summer or fall or whenever next offered. If a student needs to repeat a core requirement elective, he/she must choose one that is offered in the following fall semester. All classes in which students receive an F must be repeated as soon as the course is offered again.
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