Social Sciences--Criminal Justice
Program Description
The Social Sciences program is centered on developing each student’s understanding of modern society and the recurring patterns in our nation’s and the world’s history and culture. Among the common themes of the program is the study of such institutions as government, family structure, religion, economics, legal studies, criminal justice, and geography. The reality of inter- dependence among men and women and nations on all levels brought about by advances in technology is studied in all of the Social Science disciplines. Students earning a degree in Social Sciences have a foundation in the liberal arts through a variety of content courses and are able to relate lessons and achievements from the past and other cultures to the challenges of the present. Social Science students enhance their intellectual maturation through the development of their thinking, speaking, research, and writing. A major emphasis of the Social Science program is the sharpening of each student’s ability to analyze critically and make sound judgments concerning the past as a prelude to the future.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Criminal Justice program is designed to provide students who are interested in a career in Criminal Justice and law enforcement with a strong background in the skills needed to achieve success in careers in law enforcement or post-graduate studies. The major is designed to stimulate critical and analytical thinking and inquiry about the theoretical and practical dynamics, historical framework, and cultural parameters of the study of Criminal Justice. Among the skills covered in the program are critical reading, analytic and problem solving, writing, oral communication and listening, research, information management, and task organization—all talents in demand in the preparation for a career in Criminal Justice.
Student Learning Outcomes
The objective of the Social Sciences with a Concentration in Criminal Justice program is to provide all students with a broad-based study of mankind’s past, ancient and current cultures, and a variety of skills, including critical thinking, research, and writing, which will be vital for success in a student’s future career in the field of Criminal Justice in America.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Criminal Justice, students demonstrate
- professional competence and the ability to recognize those beliefs that are essential to and necessary for the advancement of human life;
- critical and analytical thinking and writing skills;
- knowledge and appreciation of the political, historical, social, economic, and broad cultural experiences of peoples from early times to the modern era;
- the ability to engage successfully in Social Science research;
- recall of important historical facts and the ability to read, understand, and critique works in the Social Sciences;
- an interdisciplinary approach to the study of society and the role Criminal Justice plays in maintaining an ordered society; and
- critical understanding of American social policy within the framework of the current concerns and practices in the administration of justice in America.
Degree Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Criminal Justice is conferred upon students who complete the approved program of study with a Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 in all 120 semester hours of the curriculum, at least 2.0 in all core and General Education requirements, and at least 2.5 in all course work pertaining to the major course of study. Social Sciences majors must complete a course of study that includes a minimum of 36 hours of courses in Social Sciences, of which 24 must be 300-level or higher; a minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses pertaining to the major course of study.
Note: MAT 100A and MAT 100B classes are not acceptable as electives.
For a minor in Social Sciences, students must complete 18 hours in Social Sciences courses, six of which must be at the 325-level or higher.
Core and General Education Requirements
Biology
| BIO 101 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIO 291 | | |
English
Fine Arts
History
| HIS 101 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| | And | |
| HIS 102 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
Mathematics
Natural Science
| Elective | BIO/ESC/CHE/MAT/PHY | 4 |
Philosophy
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 207 | Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking | 3 |
Political Science or History
| Elective | Political Science or History Elective | 3 |
Political Science
Speech
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
Theology
| THE 220 | Religious Traditions and Cultures | 3 |
| Elective | Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
Major Requirements
Computer Info Sys
| CIS 120 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| Elective | CIS elective | 3 |
Criminal Justice
| 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| 200 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| 210 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| 350 | Criminology | 3 |
| 374 | Court Procedure and Evidence | 3 |
| 376 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| 450 | Forensic Evidence | 3 |
| Elective | Criminal Justice Elective | 3 |
Foreign Language
| 101 | Elementary French Latin Spanish I amp II | 6 |
| | And | |
| 102 | Elementary French Latin Spanish I amp II | 6 |
Political Science
| 275 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 380 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
History
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| | And | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
| | | |
| HIS 301 | Louisiana History | 3 |
| HIS 450 | Louisiana Heritage: Research in Louisiana History | 3 |
| Elective | History elective at 300 level or above | 3 |
Psychology
English
| Elective | Literature Elective | 3 |
Free Electives
| | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 66 |
Total Credit Hours: 120