Criminal Justice/Forensic Science Specialization, BS

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Bachelor of Science Major in Criminal Justice

In order to earn the bachelor of science degree with a major in criminal justice, students must complete a minimum of 180 quarter credits for the forensic psychology specialization and 192 credits for the forensic science specialization with a cumulative and a major/program grade point average of 2.00, including the following:

I. Core Curriculum Requirements

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument 5
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking 5
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization 5
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature 5
MATH 120 - Precalculus: Algebra 5 or above (fulfilled in major for forensic psychology specialization)
Lab Science (fulfilled in major)
Fine Arts (one approved 5-credit course) 5
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person 5
Social Science I (fulfilled in major)
Social Science II (not CRJS and different discipline from Social Science I) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299 ) 5
Ethics (upper division) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase III (300-399 ) 5
Interdisciplinary Core Course (fulfilled in major)
Senior Synthesis (CRJS 487 required) 3 to 5*

*Included in major GPA.

NOTE:

A course used to satisfy the core senior synthesis may not also apply to the major requirements.
Interdisciplinary core courses taken through the criminal justice program will fulfill both the interdisciplinary core requirement and major requirement (either as a specialization requirement or a criminal justice elective depending on the course taken and degree/specialization option).
Criminal justice majors are required to take CRJS 487 - Senior Synthesis to fulfill the core senior synthesis requirement with the exception of students obtaining a double major or double degree in which case the senior synthesis from the second major/degree will fulfill the core senior synthesis requirement.

II. College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Modern Language 115, 125, 135, or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency through the level of 135 in a language other than English. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 115, 125, and 135. Because these courses are a college requirement, no course in the sequence may be taken on a pass/fail, correspondence, or audit basis. Placement into other than the beginning course of the sequence is achieved by acceptable performance on the Modern Language Competency Examination. See the Modern Languages Department for details on the examinations. Courses used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences modern language requirement may not be used to fulfill criminal justice major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

Forensic Science Specialization

III. Major Requirements

105 in criminal justice and relevant designated disciplines, including:

Choose one of the following two courses:

PHYS 105 - Mechanics 5 (non-calculus survey)
PHYS 121 - Mechanics 5 (calculus-based)

Choose from the following specialization electives: (10)

IV. Other Major Requirements: (*10)

Continuation of series in Physics (PHYS 106 -PHYS 107 or PHYS 122 -PHYS 123 ) OR Biology (BIOL 161 /BIOL 171, BIOL 162 /BIOL 172 , BIOL 163 /BIOL 173 )

NOTE:

*Included in major GPA.

1. With the exception of the “other major requirements,” a maximum of 50 community college credits may apply to this specialization. 2. CRJS special topics or physical science courses not listed may be selected as forensic science electives if deemed applicable and approved by the program chair. 3. The BS major in Criminal Justice with a Forensic Science specialization may require additional preparation in science and math prerequisites. Students should work closely with their advisor to determine preparatory course work needed and to make sure courses are chosen carefully. 4. Students planning to seek employment as a crime lab forensic scientist immediately upon graduation or to pursue a career or graduate study in forensic science are strongly encouraged to: a) complete a double major, or at minimum, a minor in chemistry; b) continue the physics series as the option for “other major requirements;” c) consult the minimum qualifications for employment with the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and/or comparable agencies; d) apply for/complete a laboratory internship. 5. Students planning to pursue a career in medico-legal death investigation are strongly encouraged to: a) complete a double major, or at minimum, a minor in biology; b) continue the biology series as the option for “other major requirements;” c) apply for/complete an internship with the medical examiners office or related agency. 6. PSYC 303 and PSYC 305 fulfill CRJS 301 and CRJS 302 for students obtaining a double major or double degree in criminal justice and psychology. 7. CHEM 335 /CHEM 345 , CHEM 336 /CHEM 346 , and CHEM 337 /CHEM 347 fulfill CHEM 231 /CHEM 241 and CHEM 232 /CHEM 242 for students obtaining a double major or double degree in criminal justice and chemistry or biochemistry.

Departmental Honors

Criminal Justice Major with Departmental Honors