Criminal Justice Administration (B.S.) 180 units
Program Description
The Department of Criminal Justice Administration offers an undergraduate program designed for the development of knowledge and understanding of practices, theory, and concepts of justice administration, as well as to prepare students for professional careers in justice administration, law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, law, and community-based programs. The major includes two specialized options and the student selects one depending on her/his career interest.
The Justice and Enforcement option affords the opportunity to work in government agencies and private organizations offering challenging positions in crime prevention, control, and investigation. It is designed for students interested in careers with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, or in law enforcement within the private sector. Employment opportunities include administrators of institutional programs, consultants to groups in mobilizing resources to combat social problems, and social scientists working toward understanding individual and group behavior and social control by means of law.
The Community Alternatives and Corrections option is designed for students interested in careers in probation, parole, correctional institutions, and affiliated forms of work. It primarily focuses on probation-related services including investigation of case histories, assessment of treatment needs, advisement to the court, and the operation of diverse types of correctional and community-based programs.
Many local, state, federal and private agencies employ Cal State East Bay criminal justice graduates. Senior majors may qualify for internship placement in criminal justice agencies throughout the Bay Area.
Local level agencies include municipal police departments, county sheriffs’ offices, probation departments, halfway and pre-release houses, group homes, crisis centers, juvenile halls, welfare fraud units, computer crime analysis, and retail and industrial security agencies. State level agencies include: Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Departments of Justice, Fish and Game, and Forestry. Federal level agencies include the Border Patrol; F.B.I.; Secret Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Internal Revenue Service; National Park Service; Customs; Postal Inspection Service; and Federal Prisons.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
Analyze and discuss issues of crime and justice from different perspectives that reflect critical and independent thinking;
Communicate, present, and discuss ideas and issues in one-on-one or group settings (Oral Communication), and write effectively, following appropriate writing styles as commonly practiced in the social sciences;
Apply knowledge of diversity and multicultural competencies to criminal justice strategies that will promote equity and social justice in every community;
Work collaboratively and respectfully as members and leaders of diverse teams and communities;
Demonstrate an understanding of how the ethical and responsible application of criminal justice regulates human conduct and sustains stability in society; and
Apply appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for a vital career in criminal justice and related professions.
Career Opportunities
- Family Violence, Crisis, or Shelter Counselor
- Community Agency Counselor
- Community Service Coordinator
- Consumer Affairs Director
- Probation, Parole, and Corrections Officer
- Deputy Insurance Commissioner
- Equal Opportunity Representative
- ATF, CIA, FBI Agent
- Group Worker
- Insurance Investigator
- Investigator
- Loss Prevention Specialist
- Park Ranger
- Police Administrator
- Police Officer
- Security Manager
- Social Worker
- Vocational Rehabilitation Officer
Preparation
It is strongly recommended that students complete the lower division (1000-2000) courses before taking the upper division courses.
Major Requirements (B.S.) 78 units
Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The B.S. degree requires a total of 180 units.
- The core major consists of 62 units;
- the Community Alternatives and Corrections Option consists of 16 units;
- the Justice and Enforcement Option consists of 16 units.
- GE/USHG/UWS consists of 84 units (some courses may double-count units - see your advisor).
- Free Electives (if any) will make up the remainder units to reach 180 total units (see your advisor).
Note: Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) grading is not permitted for classes used to meet the major requirements. A grade of C (2.0) or higher is required for all courses to be counted toward the major.
Lower Division Core (34 units)
Upper Division Core (16 units)
Specialized Core Electives (12 units)
Choose 12 units of elective coursework not duplicated as part of an option. Upon faculty advisement and approval, additional courses may also apply.
Option Requirements
An additional 16 units of concentration coursework is required. Students select one option to complete the major:
