Apr 19, 2025  
DRAFT 2025-2026 Academic Catalog 
    
DRAFT 2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Justice Studies, Criminology Concentration, BS


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The undergraduate program in Justice Studies, offered by the Department of Justice Studies , provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that engages in critical analysis of justice issues. Core classes focus on theory and empirical research that addresses the relationship between law, justice, the justice system, and society. Electives address a number of more specialized and topical justice-related issues. 

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses in the Preparation and Requirements for the major (all courses in preparation, core, and concentration/specialization) must be completed with a grade of “C or better”.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements


Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements: 

  1. Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)

  2. General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)

  3. American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)

  4. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines

  5. Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)

  6. Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)

  7. Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)

  8. Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units


Core Lower Division General Education: 22 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 3 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 0 (3 units may be satisfied by JS 100W)

Major Preparation: 6

Major Requirements: 49

University Electives: 32

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (6 units)


Complete one course from:

Statistics Course


Complete one course:

3. Major Requirements (45 units)


Justice Studies Core (24 units)


Concentration Required Courses (12 units)


Students must complete the following courses

Concentration Electives (9 units)


Students must complete 9 units from the following areas:

Area A: Theory Courses (0-6 units)


Complete up to six units from:

Area C: Critical Inquiry Courses (0-6 units)


Complete up to six units from:

4. University Electives (32 units)


A minor is strongly recommended

Total Units Required (120 units)


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