Criminology and Criminal Justice - Undergraduate Programs
Overview
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) at The University of Texas at Arlington is designed to strike a balance between theory and application. The department's curriculum emphasizes the theoretical foundations necessary to understand human behavior; the criminal justice system; and the application of theoretical knowledge to the development and critical analysis of policy implications. The curriculum provides strong preparation for graduate work in both academic and professional programs and prepares students to more fully understand, analyze, and operate in a variety of settings within or related to the justice system.
The curriculum includes
- general education courses required to provide a foundation in the liberal arts,
- disciplinary courses that provide valuable theoretical and methodological perspectives, and
- courses that examine various aspects of crime and the judicial systems; law enforcement, and correctional processes designed to respond to the crime problem.
Requirements to Major in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Students admitted to UT Arlington from high school or transfer students who have completed less than 30 hours of transferable college credit will be admitted as Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ)-Intended majors, and will be allowed to declare CRCJ as their major based on the following criteria:
- Completed at least 15 hours of the University core courses with a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Completed both CRCJ 2334 INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, and one other CRCJ core course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Students admitted to UT Arlington who have completed 30 or more hours of transferable college credit will allowed to declare CRCJ as their major based on the following criteria:
- Achieved a minimum 2.25 GPA for all college credit earned, and
- Completed CRCJ 2334 INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, or an equivalent course, and one other UT Arlington CRCJ core course, or equivalent course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Students already admitted to UT Arlington, who previously declared a major other than CRCJ, who desire to change to CRCJ as their major will be accepted based on the following criteria:
- Completed at least 15 hours of the College of Liberal Arts core courses,
- Achieved a minimum 2.25 GPA in all hours completed at UT Arlington, and
- Completed both CRCJ 2334 INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, and one other CRCJ core course with at least a C, and earned at least 15 grade points in the two courses combined (2.5 GPA).
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Pre-Professional Courses | ||
General Core Requirements | 42 | |
Program Requirements (These courses also fulfill requirements in the General Core) | ||
ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
Mathematics (MATH 1301 or higher; MATH 1301 and MATH 1308 are recommended) | ||
Modern and Classical Languages: 1441, 1442, 2313, 2314 (with a total of 14 hours) | ||
Professional Courses | ||
Major | ||
A CRCJ major consists of 54 hours, including 33 hours of required CRCJ core courses and 21 hours of major electives (See additional requirements below) | ||
CRCJ Core (Required) | ||
CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 1 | 3 |
CRCJ 2335 | ETHICS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 2350 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3 |
CRCJ 3300 | THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY | 3 |
CRCJ 3310 | PROFESSIONAL WRITING FOR CRCJ MAJORS | 3 |
CRCJ 3338 | JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
CRCJ 3340 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS | 3 |
or SOCI 3352 | SOCIAL STATISTICS | |
CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 4332 | COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | 3 |
or CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS | |
CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
CRCJ Major Electives (of which at least 15 hours must be CRCJ-prefix courses): | 21 | |
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | ||
INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY SYSTEMS | ||
CYBERCRIME | ||
FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW | ||
POLICE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION | ||
ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | ||
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS | ||
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION | ||
RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE | ||
WOMEN AND CRIME | ||
VICTIMOLOGY | ||
DRUG USE AND ABUSE | ||
PRIVATE SECURITY ADMINISTRATION | ||
CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS | ||
GANGS | ||
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | ||
or CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS | |
FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION | ||
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE | ||
FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER IDENTIFICATION | ||
FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY | ||
CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE MEDIA | ||
TERRORISM AND MASS VIOLENCE | ||
ORGANIZED CRIME: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL | ||
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT | ||
TOPICS IN CORRECTIONS | ||
TOPICS IN CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY | ||
TOPICS IN LAW AND JUDICIAL PROCESSES | ||
TOPICS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PRIVATE SECURITY | ||
INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
CONFERENCE COURSE | ||
CONFERENCE COURSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
CONFERENCE COURSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | ||
HONORS THESIS/SENIOR PROJECT | ||
6 hours of electives can be taken from the following courses: | ||
THE ECONOMICS OF CRIME | ||
U.S. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, COLONIAL TO 1877 | ||
U.S. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, 1877 TO PRESENT | ||
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CIVIL LIBERTIES | ||
JURISPRUDENCE | ||
CRIMINAL LAW | ||
U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS | ||
DEVIANCE: SOCIAL AND PERSONAL | ||
LAW AND SOCIETY | ||
Other courses may be used for elective credit with advisor approval | ||
Minor | ||
A minor is not required, but is optional. A minor, if chosen, consists of 18 hours, with at least six hours at 3000/4000 level. | ||
Total Hours | 102 |
Computer and Communication Competency
Computer Use: Students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice may demonstrate competency in computer use by taking either CSE 1301 COMPUTER LITERACY, INSY 2303 INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING, or any other course approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose. They may also demonstrate competency by passing the University proficiency examination in computer use.
Communication: Students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice may demonstrate competency in communication by taking either:
COMS 1301 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING | 3 |
COMS 2305 | BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION | 3 |
COMS 3315 | COMMUNICATION FOR EDUCATORS | 3 |
or any other course approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose |
Major
In addition to fulfilling University and College of Liberal Arts requirements, students planning to graduate with a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) must also fulfill the following requirements:
- Be a declared CRCJ major,
- Achieve a minimum overall 2.0 GPA in all courses taken at UT Arlington,
- Earn a C or better in all major courses required for the degree, and
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in all CRCJ courses taken, including approved electives selected from ECON, HIST, POLS, and SOCI.
Requirements for the Online Bachelor Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
This degree is offered via the UT TeleCampus and is designed with the criminal justice and law enforcement professional in mind. Students who have already completed the first two years of undergraduate courses, can complete the bachelor degree program by taking the upper level courses online, taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses . The courses are taught entirely online and do not required any on-campus visits. This 66-credit hour program, combined with the appropriate lower-division undergraduate course work, will lead to a Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree from UT Arlington. To earn a Bachelor in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree from UT-Arlington, students must earn grades of C or better in all major courses required for the degree. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in major courses to remain in the program and must graduate with 2.5 GPA or higher in all major courses. To learn more about this program, please visit: www.utcoursesonline.org .
Pre-Professional Courses | ||
General Core Requirements | 42 | |
Program Requirements (These courses also fulfill requirements in the General Core) | ||
ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
Mathematics (MATH 1301 or higher; MATH 1301 and MATH 1308 are recommended) | ||
Professional Courses | ||
Major | ||
CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (CCJO 2310) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CCJO 3320) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 3380 | RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE (CCJO 3370) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM (CCJO 4330) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS (CCJO 4336) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 4333 | INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS (CCJO 4350) (UTA) | 3 |
CRCJ 4315 | CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS (CCJO 4352) (UTA) | 3 |
CRIJ 3315 (CCJO 3322) Legal Aspects of Evidence (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 3331 (CCJO 3326) Legal Aspects of Corrections (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4370 (CCJO 4338) Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4312 (CCJO 4358) Principles of Law Enforcement Supervision (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4341 (CCJO 4360) Correctional Casework and Counseling (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4313 (CCJO 4362) Seminar of Issues in Law Enforcement (UTB) | ||
CCJO 3312 (formerly CRIM 3340) Criminal Justice Administration (UTPB) | ||
CCJO 3332 (formerly CRIM 3365) Juvenile Delinquency and Justice (UTPB) | ||
CCJO 4316 (formerly CRIM 4332) Theories of Criminal Behavior (UTPB) | ||
CCJO 4354 (formerly CRIM 4381) Ethics in Criminal Justice (UTPB) | ||
CCJO 4356 (formerly CRIM 4321) Probation and Parole (UTPB) | ||
CCJO 4364 (formerly CRIM 4382) Police and the Community (UTPB) | ||
PSYC 4305 (CCJO 4372) Drugs and Behavior (UTPB) | ||
Select two of the following electives: | ||
CRIJ 3325 Violet Crime and Offenders (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4363 (CCJO 4366) Gangs and Gang Behavior (UTB) | ||
CRIJ 4300 (CCJO 4300) Forensics DNA Analysis (UTEP) | ||
BIOL 3320 (CCJO 3324) Genetics (UTEP) | ||
BIOL 4395 (CCJO 4395) Toxicology (UTEP) | ||
INSS 4350 Selected Problems in Intelligence Crime & Border Security (UTEP) | ||
Electives | 10 | |
Total Hours | 79 |
Note: UT Arlington denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Arlington; UTB denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Brownsville; UTPB denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at Permian Basin; and UTEP denotes classes offered by The University of Texas at El Paso.
Students will satisfy the computer and communications competencies during completion of the online core courses required for the BCRCJ degree.
Requirements for a Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
A minor in CRCJ consists of 18 semester hours, of which at least 12 must be 3000/4000 level. CRCJ 2334 INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, and CRCJ 4301 THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM, are required courses for a CRCJ minor. Students must earn a 2.0 GPA in all CRCJ courses taken toward the minor.
Certificate in Crime Analysis
A Certificate in Crime Analysis is offered by the Department for students interested in pursuing a law enforcement career in crime analysis. Students must complete seven required courses (21 credit hours) to qualify. The courses are:
CRCJ 3336 | POLICE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
CRCJ 3340 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS | 3 |
CRCJ 3350 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
GEOL 4330 | UNDERSTANDING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
CSE 1301 | COMPUTER LITERACY | 3 |
CSE 1310 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & PROGRAMMING | 3 |
CRCJ 4390 | INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | 3 |
Total Hours | 21 |
1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |
Certificate in Crime Scene Technology
CRCJ students interested in beginning a career as a crime scene technician are offered a Certificate in Crime Scene Technology. Students must complete seven required courses (21 credit hours) to qualify. The courses are:
CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 2340 | CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | 3 |
CRCJ 3337 | ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | 3 |
CRCJ 3370 | INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS | 3 |
CRCJ 3371 | CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION | 3 |
CRCJ 4340 | FORENSIC DEATH INVESTIGATION | 3 |
Optional Courses | ||
CYBERCRIME | ||
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE | ||
FORENSIC HAIR AND FIBER IDENTIFICATION | ||
FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIMONY | ||
INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | ||
Total | 21 |
1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |
Certificate in Law Enforcement Administration
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) at UT-Arlington and the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA), which is one of seven institutes within the Center for American and International Law, Plano, TX, combine to offer a Certificate in Law Enforcement Administration for police officers, supervisors, and managers. To receive the certificate, officers must complete four courses offered by ILEA (13 credit hours) and five courses (15 credit hours) offered by the CRCJ Department at UT Arlington.
Courses to be taken at or through ILEA are:
- LEA 200, School of Police Supervision;
- LEA 220, Fair Labor Standards Act Law;
- ETH 100, Ethical Decision Making; and
- ETH 150, Ethics Train-the-Trainer.
Courses offered by the CRCJ Department at UT-Arlington are online courses and include:
CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 3380 | RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE | 3 |
CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 4380 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
CRCJ 4315 | CRIMINAL CAREERS AND BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS | 3 |
Total Hours | 15 |
Certificate in Legal Studies
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ) at UT-Arlington, offers a Certificate in Legal Studies for students interested in working in the legal field. To receive the certificate, students must complete six courses (18 credit hours) offered by the department. The courses are:
CRCJ 2334 | INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 3 |
CRCJ 3330 | FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW | 3 |
CRCJ 3337 | ADVANCED CRIMINAL PROCEDURE | 3 |
CRCJ 4301 | THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | 3 |
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT | ||
COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS | ||
TOPICS IN LAW AND JUDICIAL PROCESSES | ||
INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1 | ||
Total | 18 |
1 | Participation in CRCJ 4390 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in both CRCJ courses and in all courses completed at UT-Arlington. |