2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin

Criminal Justice (Crime Control and Prevention), Bachelor of Arts

The BA program in Criminal Justice views crime as a social problem and seeks to develop in its students the capacity to critically assess the normative structure of the existing criminal justice system with an aim to improving its condition and function. The emphasis of the major is on developing analytical skills, ethical reasoning, and a capacity for solving problems. It aspires to cultivate creative and original thinking about one of the most challenging social problems of our time.

Learning Outcomes. Students will:

  • Critically evaluate ethical arguments regarding criminal justice policy decisions. 
  • Critically evaluate the impact of race, gender, and ethnicity on criminal justice policy decisions.
  • Construct an original research question, manifesting a familiarity with the existing literature, and an implementable research design.
  • Implement that research design through the collection and interpretation of data and to articulate proposals for policy reform.
  • Display clarity of expression

Credits Required.

Criminal Justice (Crime Control and Prevention) Major 42
General Education 42
Electives 36
Total Credits Required for B.A. Degree 120

Prerequisites. Students may need to take MAT 105 and/or MAT 108 (or MAT 141) as prerequisites for the required statistics course, CJBA 240.

Coordinator. Professor Brian Lawton, Department of Criminal Justice (212.393.6841, blawton@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advising information. Criminal Justice BA Advising Resources (including a Sample Four Year Advising Plan).

Baccalaureate/Master’s Program in Criminal Justice. Qualified undergraduate students may enter the Baccalaureate/Master’s Program and graduate with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in criminal justice. For additional information, contact Dr. Janice Carrington, 212-237-8418, jcarrington@jjay.cuny.edu.

Study abroad. Students in the College’s Study Abroad Program may use some of their study abroad credits to substitute for related courses in the major. With regard to particular courses, the student should consult with the coordinator for the major. For information about the College’s Study Abroad Program, contact Mr. Kenneth Yanes (212.484.1339, kyanes@jjay.cuny.edu).

Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2016 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented in this bulletin. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin

Part One. Core Courses

Required
CJBA 110Introduction to Major Problems in Criminal Justice I

3

CJBA 111Introduction to Major Problems in Criminal Justice II

3

CJBA 120Dimensions of Justice

3

CJBA 210Criminal Responsibility

3

CJBA 220Race, Gender, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice

3

CJBA 230Understanding Criminal Behavior

3

CJBA 250Crime Prevention and Control

3

Total Credit Hours: 21

Part Two. Research Methods

Required
CJBA 240Quantitative Inquiry of Problems in Criminal Justice I

3

CJBA 241Quantitative Inquiry of Problems in Criminal Justice II

3

CJBA 340Research Methods in Criminal Justice

3

Total Credit Hours: 9

Part Three. Research Focus

Note: Prior to the start of their junior year, Criminal Justice BA majors will be required to submit, subject to  approval by their advisor or the department chairperson, a plan of study which culminates in an original research and writing project. Students may substitute as many as three credits for Part Three with courses outside of the departmental offerings, provided these courses support their research agenda and are consistent with the requirements of the capstone experience.

Select TWO of the following
CJBA 358Hate Incidents and Crimes

3

CJBA 361Rights of the Accused

3

CJBA 363Space, Crime and Place: Methods, Applications and Theory

3

CJBA 364Death Penalty: Law and Policy

3

CJBA 365Change and Innovation in Criminal Justice

3

CJBA 367Wildlife Crime: Issues and Prevention

3

CJBA 380Special Topics in Criminal Justice Research

3

CJBA 381Special Topics in Criminal Justice Research

3

Total Credit Hours: 6

Part Four Capstone Courses

Required
CJBA 410Senior Thesis I

3

CJBA 411Senior Thesis II

3

Total Credit Hours: 6

Total Credit Hours: 42