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Lake Superior State University

Criminal Justice: Bachelor of Science

Program Description


Our program has been in place for over forty years and we have an outstanding reputation for producing well educated and well trained criminal justice practitioners. Most or many of your classes will be taught by former and active police officers, corrections officers and lawyers.  The program combines academic and hands-on training.  Courses in criminal investigation, firearms training and agency internships will help you acquire the necessary skills to excel in your future careers.

The Criminal Justice program has been providing students with an opportunity to achieve self-actualization in a number of broad areas.  These include, but are not limited to:

A strong focus on critical thinking.  The emphasis on abstract thinking using concepts and a focus on critical thinking begins with the CJUS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice and carries forward to advanced courses.  This regiment introduces and acclimates students into a more advanced mindset to help attain academic excellence throughout their four years at LSSU.

A multi-faceted approach.  The Department exposes students to varied approaches within tracks in Criminal Justice.  This involves understanding the different disciplines and examining how they inter-relate on particular issues. The program also focuses on both macro and micro level of analyses in helping to gain a more comprehensive understanding of issues under study.

A strong emphasis on Practical Application and Skill Development. The program prides itself on emphasizing and implementing application as a central component in many of its courses. Students are expected to refine and build on their knowledge from prior course work in the application of concepts in real life scenarios. The scenario structure allows students to apply the knowledge in independent and group work to identify, pre-plan, problem solve, and create solutions. Our students further have the opportunity to apply concepts during Senior Internships while placed at agencies across the state and nation.

A strong emphasis on Life Long Learning Skills. The program takes pride in being part of an elite academic community that offers undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake actual research. The program believes that all courses taught in the curriculum enhance the student’s ability to be Life Long Learners and provides students the necessary tools to conduct a research project. It is identified that our students will be better prepared for graduate school, law school, or other areas of life where these skills can be applied.

Program Learning Outcomes:

FORMAL COMMUNICATION (FC): Graduates of the Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders Programs will be able to communicate effectively at a professional level, both orally and in writing.

USE OF EVIDENCE (UE): Graduates of the Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders Programs will complete a Senior research project that demonstrates professional level inquiry, analysis, and presentation of a relevant issue in the field of criminal justice.

ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS (AS): Graduates of the Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders programs will demonstrate professional level critical thinking and problem solving skills.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (PR): Graduates of the Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders programs will demonstrate professional responsibility in teamwork, civic engagement, intercultural knowledge and competence, ethical reasoning, and practical applications of those responsibilities while interning in a professional setting, student projects, and group work.



Degree Requirements


Major Requirements (36 credits)

  • USEM101 University Seminar I: Foundation Success 1
  • CJUS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
  • CJUS102 Police Process 3
  • CJUS243 Investigation 3
  • CJUS319 Substantive Criminal Law 3
  • CJUS321 Ethical Issues in Public Safety 3
  • CJUS345 Statistics and Design for Public Safety 4
  • CJUS401 Senior Seminar 3
  • CJUS402 Criminal Justice Internship 3-9
  • CJUS409 Procedural Criminal Law 3
  • CJUS 300/400 Level Electives 4

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS140 Criminological Theory and Correctional Client Growth 3
    or
  • SOCY214 Criminology 3

Support Courses (16-17 credits)

  • POLI120 Introduction to Legal Processes 3
  • PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology 4
  • PSYC259 Abnormal Psychology 3
  • Approved Diversity Course 3

    Select one of the following:
  • POLI110 Introduction American Government and Politics 4
    or
  • POLI160 Introduction Canadian Government Politics 3

Complete at least one Concentration other than MCOLES:

Generalist

  • CJUS110 Introduction to Corrections 3
  • CJUS212 Loss Control 3
  • CJUS200/300/400 Level Electives 9
  • CJUS300/400 Level Electives 6

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS313 Crisis Intervention Deviant Behavior 3
    or
  • CJUS411 Police Operations 5

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS325 Homeland Security/Emergency Service 3
    or
  • CJUS355 Juvenile Justice 3

(Generalist can only be paired with MCOLES Concentration)

Conservation Officer

Public Safety

  • CJUS203 Cyberterrorism 3
  • CJUS206 Law Enforcement/Loss Control Internship 3
  • CJUS302 Hate Crimes 3
  • CJUS444 Criminalistics 4
  • FIRE101 Introduction to Fire Science 3
  • FIRE204 Fire Protection Hydraulics and Pumps 3
  • FIRE206 Fire Protection Systems, Equipment, Indust Fire Protection 3
  • FIRE211 Tactics and Strategy 3
  • FIRE219 Firefighter Essentials 3
  • FIRE220 Fire Science Certification 4
  • EMED189 Medical First Responder 3

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS313 Crisis Intervention Deviant Behavior 3
    or
  • CJUS411 Police Operations 5

Law Enforcement

  • CJUS110 Introduction to Corrections 3
  • CJUS201 Firearms Training 1
  • CJUS203 Cyberterrorism 3
  • CJUS206 Law Enforcement/Loss Control Internship 3
  • CJUS212 Loss Control 3
  • CJUS302 Hate Crimes 3
  • CJUS444 Criminalistics 4
  • FIRE101 Introduction to Fire Science 3

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS313 Crisis Intervention Deviant Behavior 3
    or
  • CJUS411 Police Operations 5

Homeland Security

  • CJUS103 Introduction to Terrorism/Homeland Security 3
  • CJUS203 Cyberterrorism 3
  • CJUS204 Domestic and International Terrorism 3
  • CJUS302 Hate Crimes 3
  • CJUS303 Critical Infrastructure Protection 3
  • CJUS325 Homeland Security/Emergency Service 3
  • CJUS444 Criminalistics 4
  • FIRE101 Introductionto Fire Science 3
  • FIRE111 Hazardous Materials 3
  • POLI130 Introduction State/Local Government 4

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS313 Crisis Intervention Deviant Behavior 3
    or
  • CJUS411 Police Operations 5

    Select one of the following:
  • POLI201 Introduction to Public Administration 3
    or
  • POLI241 Introduction to International Relations 4
    or
  • POLI334 Middle East Politics 3

Criminalistics

  • CJUS444 Criminalistics 4
  • BIOL131 General Biology: Cells 4
  • CHEM115 General Chemistry I 5
  • CHEM116 General Chemistry II 5
  • CHEM225 Organic Chemistry I 4
  • CHEM231 Quantitative Analysis 4
  • CHEM332 Instrumental Analysis 4
  • CHEM351 Introductory Biochemistry 4
  • MATH112 Calculus Business/Life Science 4
  • PHYS221 Principles of Physics I 4

    Select one of the following:
  • CJUS313 Crisis Intervention Deviant Behavior 3
    or
  • CJUS411 Police Operations 5

MCOLES

A minimum of 24 credits of 300/400 level CJUS Coursework is required for graduation.

General Education: All LSSU bachelor's degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher.  A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.


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