Undergraduate Programs

Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree provides students with an understanding of the criminal justice system, the policies it encompasses, and the theories that underlie it. The program faculty develop students’ ability to know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the criminal justice system, using critical thinking skills developed in and out of the classroom. The curriculum requires courses on core areas of the criminal justice system while giving students the flexibility to specialize through the selection of electives or a possible minor. In addition, the required internship and study away electives provide students the opportunity to combine their academic studies with experiential learning. The Criminal Justice-International concentration combines elements of the Criminal Justice degree with international-focused courses from various disciplines for students interested in issues of terrorism and national security, international justice policy, and international relations and foreign affairs.

Graduates of our programs work in a wide range of justice-related fields, including all levels of law enforcement, community supervision of offenders and juveniles, corporate and financial investigations, social and human services, court-related positions, as well as post-graduate studies in law school, Master’s, or Doctoral degree programs.


Statement on Social Justice and Law Enforcement

Political Science

Students may earn either a B.A. or a B.S. degree in political science. For the BS degree, there are a variety of concentrations: American politics, International Relations/Comparative Politics, Pre-Professional Legal Studies, or Pubic Administration. Students work with their departmental advisor to select the degree program/concentration best suited to their academic and professional goals. All the programs offered are designed to provide students with an understanding of politics, political systems, and political theories. The curriculum’s goal is to develop students’ knowledge and comprehension of politics as well as cultivate their ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate politics, using critical thinking skills developed in and out of the classroom. In addition, internship and study away electives provide students the opportunity to combine their academic studies with experiential learning.

Political science students gain a versatile set of skills that can be applied in a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors. Graduates often work at entry-level positions for government agencies, campaigns, advocacy organizations, research groups, news organizations, or consulting firms. Political science is also excellent preparation for advanced study in law, public policy, public administration, international relations, and may other areas.