Be a part of seeing justice served.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
If you're interested in understanding and working in the field of criminal justice, our program will give you a critical understanding of today's criminal justice system and the society in which it functions.
Our Criminal Justice program aims to improve the quality of justice through education, research, and public service. As a student in our program, you'll explore the broader questions of how justice is administered, not just in the United States but on a global level as well. You'll also be challenged to confront the fundamental societal issues of both crime and justice. Our faculty are experts in their field, committed to research that advances the teaching, assessment, knowledge base, and policy implications of it. Faculty bring their knowledge into the classroom to share their real-world experiences with their students firsthand.
Graduates of the Criminal Justice program will:
- Understand the theories, policies, practices, processes, and reforms affecting the major institutions of social control.
- Apply the theories and principles of both substantive and procedural law that regulate the justice system.
- Create a problem and research the solution through a formal proposal and research paper.
- Use an ethical framework to reach judgments and make sound decisions as a criminal justice professional.
- Apply what you've learned before graduation through an internship in a criminal or juvenile justice agency or organization.
Study Criminal Justice at Stevenson
Career Opportunities
Career Paths for Criminal Justice Majors
Graduates of our Criminal Justice program embark on many rewarding career choices, including:
• Lawyer
• Police Officer
• Forensic Investigator
• Claims Adjuster
• Counselor
• Private Detective
• Pretrial Officer
Curious about internships and job placement after you graduate? Visit our Office of Career Services.
Courses and Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar |
| CJUS 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CJUS 205 | Ethics Principles in Criminal Justice |
| CJUS 210 | Writing for Criminal Justice |
| CJUS 220 | Criminal Law and Procedure |
| CJUS 275 | Corrections |
| CJUS 280 | Law Enforcement |
| CJUS 285 | Criminology |
| CJUS 310 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems |
| CJUS 380 | American Courts and the Criminal Justice System |
| CJUS 385 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice |
| CJUS 417 | Internship |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics |
| OR | |
| PSY 136 | Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| POSCI 205 | State and Local Government |
Six CJUS elective courses for a total of eighteen credits; at least one course (3 credits) must be taken at the upper level
Tracks and Minors
Minor
A minor in criminal justice is available. All course prerequisites must be met to be eligible to take the selected course for a minor. Please see an academic advisor for more information. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
B.S. to M.S. Option
The B.S. to M.S. option is available for students majoring in criminal justice who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a master's degree in one of Stevenson's graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program, see the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog.
Undergraduate Admissions
Owings Mills Campus
Garrison Hall North, Second Floor
1-877-468-6852