Lindsey Wilson College

Criminal Justice

AA - Program Requirements

Greg A. Phelps, PhD, Chair, Division of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Studies

J. L. Turner Leadership Center, Room 207

270-384-8234     phelpsg@lindsey.edu 

Allen Copenhaver, PhD, Program Coordinator

Durham Center, Room 103

270-384-8231     copenhaverr@lindsey.edu

Full-time program faculty:  Allen Copenhaver, PhD; Angie Schwendau, PhD; Dennis Souther, MPA

Mission Statement

The Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the three main substantive areas of criminal justice: policing, courts, and corrections.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major may simultaneously fulfill general education requirements.  Please see the Graduation Requirements (associate’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Entrance Criteria

The following conditions apply for acceptance into the program:

  • Minimum grade point average of 2.00;
  • Completion of Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJS 1003) with a minimum grade of C;
  • Filing the required application for admission form to the program with the program coordinator;
  • Securing the approval by the program coordinator;
  • Assignment of an academic advisor from the program; and
  • Filing the approved application to the program form with the Registrar’s Office.

Program Requirements:  36-39 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s prerequisites and core requirements and select program electives as indicated.

A.         Prerequisites and Recommended Courses:  3-6 hours

  • Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013) is recommended prior to CRJS 1003 unless waiver requirements are met – 3 hours
  • Writing Studies II (ENGL 1023) is a prerequisite for CRJS 2103 – 3 hours

B.         Core Requirements:  21 hours

  • Writing in Criminal Justice (CRJS 1013) – 3 hours
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJS 1003) is the prerequisite for all CRJS courses except CRJS 1013 – 3 hours
  • Criminology (CRJS 2103) – 3 hours
  • Criminal Courts (CRJS 2303) – 3 hours
  • Police Investigation (CRJS 3023) – 3 hours
  • U.S. Constitutional Law (CRJS 3213) – 3 hours
  • Ethics (PHIL 3003) – 3 hours

C.          Program Electives (select from the following):  12 hours  

  • American Legal Systems (CRJS 3003) – 3 hours
  • Police & Society (CRJS 3123) – 3 hours
  • Corrections (CRJS 3203) – 3 hours
  • Rural Crime (CRJS 3573) – 3 hours
  • Criminal Law (CRJS 3703) – 3 hours
  • Criminal Procedure (CRJS 3903) – 3 hours
  • Homeland Security (CRJS 4173) – 3 hours
  • Evidence (CRJS 4273) – 3 hours