Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Criminal Justice (B.S.C.J.)


Program: B.S.
Department of Criminal Justice & Public Administration
College of Liberal Arts

Neff Hall 260  ~ 260-481-6351   


The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree program puts our students on a fast-track for careers in the dynamic field of criminal justice. It also equips students with the skills necessary for graduate school and guarantees sufficient exposure to a foreign language to enrich career paths and broaden professional opportunities. The program also features a minor in criminal justice for students who are majoring in other fields. It provides an opportunity for internships, during which students engage with potential employers and hone career skills in the lead up to graduation. The internship program is designed for maximum flexibility; internships can be full or part time, paid or unpaid. 


Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to:

  • Describe the theories that explain observed patterns in the criminal justice system.
  • Apply research and analytical skills used in policing, courts, and corrections.
  • Demonstrate effective written, oral, and multimedia communication skills for diverse settings.
  • Evaluate current practices in policing, courts, and corrections.

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on-campus.

Declaring this Major:

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:


Criminal Justice (BSCJ) 4-Year Plan :

  • A grade of C- or higher and an overall GPA of 2.3 or higher in all Criminal Justice core courses
  • A 2.0 overall GPA of higher for all courses required in the major

General Education Requirements: Credits 33


  • Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
  • Check with your advisor for recommended courses as some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Liberal Arts Course Requirements


Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for detailed information on college requirements.

Introduction to the Liberal Arts: Credits 3


International Language: Credits 12


You must complete two courses at the first-year level and two courses at the second-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for more details.

Thematic Requirements: Credits 15


Students will take one course in each of these five areas to ensure that they have an opportunity to deepen their traditional liberal arts education while also preparing for a culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and increasingly globalized and complex world:

  1. Gender, Sexuality, Race, and/or Ethnicity:  Credits 3
  2. Conflict and Cooperation:  Credits 3
  3. Institutions and Behavior:  Credits 3
  4. Regional/Geographic Study:  Credits 3
  5. Digital Humanities/Public Humanities:  Credits 3
  • A single course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the five thematic requirements. 
  • Courses taken to fulfill the five thematic requirements must come from courses offered under at least three different course prefixes.
  • At least one course must come from the list of courses approved as dealing exclusively or primarily with a Non-Western culture or cultures.

List of Courses for the COLA Thematic Requirements 

General Electives


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120
  • These free elective credits can be chosen from any discipline
  • Students may consider adding a minor to satisfy this credit requirement

Total Credits: 120


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.