In many U.S. cities, the criminal justice system is re-examining its purpose and duties. With a diverse population of individuals from various cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds, the criminal justice system must first examine the role of mental health in criminal behavior and recidivism. According to Statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), more than half of those incarcerated in the United States have mental health issues. With the increased demand for healthcare and mental health services and their application to the criminal justice system, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts continued growth in this employment sector.
Criminal and Social Justice/Psychology Dual Major
Bachelor of Arts
Individuals can achieve their Bachelor of Arts degree with a criminal and social justice and psychology dual major. Through this unique and high demand degree program, students can learn the curriculum from both majors and complete the degree requirements in four years as opposed to the double major, which would typically require five total years.
Graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology can gain employment in the public and private sector in areas such as probation and parole, juvenile justice counseling, law enforcement crisis intervention, reentry programs, jury selection services, forensic psychology, addiction counseling, and mental health services.
Plan of Study
CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE & PSYCHOLOGY DUAL MAJOR
120 credit hours total. (Must obtain all credit hours, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, pass all CJ courses with a C or above and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA in both CJ and PSY courses.)
Required Curriculum (Lourdes Core – 37 credit hours)
LUC 101
LUC 102 (PSY 105 may be used for major)
ENG 101 Composition I: Essay Writing
ENG 313, 351, 352, or 355 (choose 1)
Math
Ethics (required in major CSJ 324 or 360)
Enduring Questions
History
Philosophy
Theology I
Theology II
Fine Arts
Literature
Natural Science
Social Science (required in major CSJ 101)
Criminal and Social Justice Core Courses (39 credit hours)
Courses marked with (*) fulfill both the core curriculum and major requirements.
*CSJ 101 Introduction to Sociology
CSJ 102 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CSJ 205 Juvenile Delinquency
*CSJ 209 Communication and Conflict Resolution
CSJ 210 Criminology
CSJ 213 Criminal Investigation
CSJ 304 Diversity and Human Rights
CSJ 307 Penology
CSJ 331 Criminal Law and Procedure
CSJ 332 Criminal Evidence
*CSJ 324/360 Ethics in CJ / Ethical Decision-making in CJ/SWK
CSJ 325 Victimology
CSJ 444 Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice
Psychology Core Courses (39 credit hours)
PSY 110 General Psychology
*PSY 105 Pre-professional Seminar for the Social Sciences
PSY 210 Developmental Psychology
PSY 222 Research and Statistics I
PSY 225 Research and Statistics II
Cognitive Science (Pick 2 of these: PSY 310, PSY 311, PSY 413)
Mental Health (Pick 2 of these: PSY 350, PSY 411, PSY 470)
Developmental (Pick 1 of these: PSY 315, PSY 319, PSY 320)
Psychology 300 or 400 electives (3 courses for 9 credit hours)
Capstone (6 credit hours)
Choose from the Psychology or Criminal & Social Justice track
Psychology Track
PSY 390 Junior Seminar
PSY 490 Psychology Capstone
Criminal & Social Justice Track
CSJ 490 Criminal & Social Justice Capstone Experience I
CSJ 491 Criminal & Social Justice Capstone Experience II
Learning Outcomes
CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will understand basic sociological concepts and theories and their relationship to the institutions of social control.
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the administration of law enforcement agencies, adult and juvenile court systems, corrections policies, policing, philosophies of crime and punishment and theories of deviance.
- Students will express themselves in a clear and coherent manner and be able to discuss, in written and oral form, issues related to law enforcement and the provision of justice in society.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles to the administration of justice.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural nature of society and the implications of societal diversity for the justice system.
SOCIOLOGY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Basic Sociological Concepts & Theory
1. Students will understand basic concepts in sociology so that they will be able to
- Define, give examples, and demonstrate an understanding of sociological concepts and theories.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply sociological concepts and theories
- Express ideas in a clear and coherent manner in writing and in oral presentations.
Basic Research Competence
2. Students will understand the role of evidence in sociology, such that they will be able to:
- Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge;
- Compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data;
- Complete component(s) of a research study and explain why various decisions were made.
Cultural and Global Diversity
3. Students will understand the diversity of American society and its place in the international context such that they will be able to:
- Describe the significance of variations by race, ethnicity, class, gender, age and sexual orientation and other culturally relevant categories in human relations;
- Describe the social factors and processes through which prejudice and discrimination are created and perpetrated.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge Base of Psychology
Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Learning Outcomes:
- Characterize the nature of psychology as a scientific discipline.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in selected content areas of psychology.
- Explain major perspectives of psychology (e.g. behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural).
Research Methods in Psychology
Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain different research methods and statistical analyses used by psychologists.
- Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions using appropriate research methods and statistical analyses.
- Follow the APA Code of Ethics in the treatment of human and nonhuman participants in the design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of psychological research.
Critical Thinking and Communication Skills in Psychology
Learning Outcomes:
- Use critical thinking effectively.
- Demonstrate effective writing skills and oral communication skills in various formats and for various purposes.
