DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CJ)

Professor Celia Lo, Chairperson
Office: 432-C Farrah Hall

The Department of Criminal Justice provides students interested in law enforcement, criminal law, corrections, and the criminal court system with a broad educational background emphasizing social science. At the same time, students in the department gain basic knowledge of the criminal justice field to the extent of specialization compatible with University and divisional requirements. The curriculum leads to the bachelor of arts degree. The mission of the department must be conceived as interdisciplinary in nature, since no traditional discipline covers the wide spectrum of expertise required. The undergraduate program addresses issues respecting the entire criminal justice system, from the nature of crime and delinquency to society's varied responses to crime. Such a focus includes the organization and operation of each of the functional components in the field.

The department recognizes the value of internships. Internships provide a direct learning experience, helping students combine theory and practice. A maximum of 6 hours of internship may be used to satisfy requirements of the major or minor. The department has established internships with the University's Department of Public Safety; the Tuscaloosa Police Department; the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; the Tuscaloosa County Offices of Juvenile Court, Public Defender, and District Attorney; the U.S. Customs Agency; and the Federal Probation program, among others. Students may work with their advisers to plan other internships and should consult their advisers for further internship information.

Requirements for the major. A written application for admission to the major must be approved by and filed with the Department of Criminal Justice. Acceptance requires at least 12 earned hours and a 2.25 higher education grade point average. The major in criminal justice requires 36 hours, including CJ 100, CJ 300, CJ 306, CJ 330, CJ 480, and CJ 481. A minimum of 12 hours of the 18 hours of criminal justice electives must be earned in courses other than CJ 395 and CJ 499. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all criminal justice courses.

Requirements for the minor. A written application for admission to the minor must be approved by and filed with the Department of Criminal Justice. Acceptance requires at least 12 earned hours and a 2.25 higher education grade point average. The minor in criminal justice requires 21 hours, including CJ 100. A minimum of 12 hours of the 18 hours of criminal justice electives must be earned in courses other than CJ 395 and CJ 499. Six hours must be at the 400 level. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all criminal justice courses.

Graduate programs. The Department of Criminal Justice offers programs leading to the master of science in criminal justice. Degree requirements are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.

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