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Justice Studies, Bachelor
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- Criminal Justice Administration - Emphasis
- Intelligence Studies - Emphasis
The courses offered in the Justice Studies program are designed to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation from which they can address current issues facing the criminal justice field. The skills focused on in the different emphasis areas (Criminal Justice Administration or Intelligence Studies) have been purposefully selected to enable students to succeed as a criminal justice practitioner and leader, enhance employment and career opportunities, and for those in the Intelligence Studies emphasis, prepare students to work in the intelligence field.
Students pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and pursue a variety of assignments. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will provide a pathway for moving into a leadership position or a specialty assignment.
Students pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and work in the intelligence and homeland security areas. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will provide a pathway for moving into intelligence-led policing, leading intelligence groups or other intelligence-related assignments within the criminal justice field.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's liberal studies, diversity, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 36 units of major coursework
- 6 units of communication skills
- 12-16 hours of a foreign language
- Elective courses, as needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Optional |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this major. |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor’s in Justice Studies provides online and distance-learning students with a professional, criminal justice-focused education that prepares students to ethically work and lead in the fields of criminal justice and intelligence studies.
To help students reach their education and career goals, all Justice Studies faculty members have advanced degrees and extensive experience in the criminal justice or intelligence fields, specializing in areas, such as, criminal justice investigations, police leadership, community policing, drug investigations, federal law enforcement, corrections, intelligence-led policing, military intelligence, cyber crime, and the law.
Students complete core courses in ethics, leadership, criminal justice, criminology, the justice system and effective writing. They then move on to tailoring their degree to their individual interests by selecting elective courses in criminal justice administration or intelligence studies.
Emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration
The emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration ensures students develop an in-depth knowledge of their areas of interest within the criminal justice system as well as an understanding of the current, critical issues impacting the criminal justice field. This emphasis also helps students use critical thinking to connect theoretical concepts with practical criminal justice situations; a necessary skill for practitioners to succeed in the criminal justice field.
Emphasis in Intelligence Studies
The emphasis in intelligence studies focuses on preparing students to identify, analyze and disseminate intelligence information for the purpose of investigating all forms of criminal activity. In addition, the courses within this emphasis expose students to a variety of contemporary topics in the intelligence field. Upon completion of this course of study, students will have the skills to transition into professional intelligence careers at the local, state or federal level.
In addition to working in the criminal justice field, many graduates choose to build upon their critical thinking, criminal justice and leadership courses by pursuing advanced degrees in criminal justice, leadership or the law.
Student Learning Outcomes
Core Justice Studies Outcomes
- Effective Writing: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, in writing, by identifying scholarly and credible research and using this information to present logical, written arguments in favor of or in opposition to specific policies.
- Critical Thinking: Thoroughly analyze evidence and research, and logically apply such information when forming arguments and drawing conclusions.
- Application of Theory to Practice: Demonstrate the ability interpret applicable theories and use such theories to address practical issues.
- Ethics: Describe the ethical issues impacting the criminal justice or intelligence fields, and offer logical, well-supported solutions for addressing such issues.
- Leadership: Demonstrate the ability to use leadership theories to address practical situations in the criminal justice or intelligence field.
- Current Issues: Demonstrate an understanding of the current issues impacting the criminal justice or intelligence field, critically analyze such issues in consideration of the current social and political issues, and propose evidence-based solutions to address such issues.
- Job Opportunities: Demonstrate an understanding of the job opportunities and necessary qualifications for employment in a specific area within the criminal justice or intelligence field, and assess your readiness to pursue employment in at least one area of the field.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of an area within the criminal justice field, as well as ability to provide a detailed summary of the current issues impacting this area of criminal justice field.
- Identify and critically analyze intelligence so it can be used to address issues related to crime and/or public or private sector security.
Details Accordion Closed
Major Requirements
This major requires 60-61 units, distributed as follows:
- Justice Studies Common Course Requirements: 15 units
- Select an Emphasis: 21 units
- Criminal Justice Administration Emphasis
- Intelligence Studies Emphasis
- Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements: 24-25 units
- Communication Requirement: 6 units
- Foreign Language or Science Requirement: 18-19 units
Complete the following 15 units with a Grade of "C" or better:
Justice Studies Common Course Requirements
Emphasis Requirement (Select One)
Complete 21 units with a Grade of "C" or better
Criminal Justice Administration Emphasis (21 units)- Criminal Justice Practice (15 units)
- Select two from the Criminal Justice Practice courses (6 units):
Criminal Justice Theory (6 units)
Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements
- Communication Requirements (6 units)
- Select 6 units in the following two categories.
Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.
Foreign Language or Science Requirement Option (18-19 units)
Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)- Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)
- You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP, or other exams.
- Computer Literacy (3 units)
- This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
- Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)
- OR
Science Requirement Option (18 units)
- Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):
AND
- Computer Literacy (6 units)
- This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
- Select ISM 120 or BBA 293 (3 units)
- BBA 340 or Advisor Approved coursework including the CIS or CS prefix (3 units)
- Computer Literacy (6 units)
General Electives
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a Master's degree while simultaneously completing their Bachelor's degree.