Grand Valley State University

Criminal Justice, B.A., B.S.

Subject Overview

Grand Valley State University has one of the larger criminal justice programs in the country and a faculty that is nationally recognized for contributions in the discipline.

Students in the School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) focus on crime and violent behavior from viewpoints grounded in the traditional humanities and the social sciences. Although they are schooled in the practical knowledge and skills they will need in the criminal justice profession, students also receive thorough preparation in the arts and sciences.

Program Description

Grand Valley's unique combination of practical skills training within the context of a liberal arts education prepares graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities and careers.

Transfer Students
Each year dozens of students transfer to the SCJ from other institutions. Students may transfer and apply a maximum of four criminal justice courses (12 credit hours) from other institutions toward credit in the major.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the SCJ are employed in a variety of human service fields. Typically, they seek employment as: law enforcement officers at the federal, state, and local levels; juvenile case workers, counselors, and youth home administrators; correctional case managers and counselors; security personnel, and parole and probation agents. Many other graduates decide to pursue an advanced degree.

The key to successful career preparation is to complete a well-rounded bachelor's degree that includes traditional liberal arts classes. At Grand Valley, criminal justice students spend as much time getting a traditional college education as they do taking professional classes. For example, law enforcement students study humanities and the classics while developing the practical skills needed to perform police work. In addition, students also become grounded in the social sciences.

The School of Criminal Justice seeks to produce graduates who have a broad range of job and career opportunities. Graduates receive degrees that enhance their abilities to obtain employment in many fields. By combining professional preparation with a traditional liberal arts education, our program provides graduates with enhanced employment opportunities and increased job mobility.

Michigan Requirements for Certification in Law Enforcement
The School of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley State University operates a Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) approved police academy during the summer months. The program leads to eligibility for law enforcement officer licensing in Michigan. The courses taken in this program can also be used for graduation. Non-Grand Valley students who meet the MCOLES minimum eligibility requirements may apply.

The Grand Valley Police Academy has achieved a reputation for excellence. Entry is extremely competitive and is not guaranteed. Those wishing to apply will be required to pass the MCOLES reading, writing, and physical agility tests and meet the minimum state standards. Grand Valley students may apply for the academy during their senior year. Non-Grand Valley students must possess at least an associates degree to apply. Application packets are available on the SCJ Web site between October 15 and December 15. Applications should be obtained as soon as possible due to the complexity of the application process. MCOLES requirements can be found at www.mcoles.org under the Licensure and Professional Development section.

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements
To complete the requirements for graduation with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, students must fulfill Grand Valley's general education requirements. Transfer students must take at least two-thirds of the credits constituting their major from Grand Valley.

Students majoring in criminal justice or in legal studies may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree requires third-semester proficiency in a foreign language; the B.S. degree requires the completion of STA 215, CJ 300, and CJ 400.

All criminal justice majors must complete a minimum of 39 credits. Police Academy students must also complete the required Police Academy courses.

All criminal justice majors must complete the following courses:
CJ 101 Justice and Society
CJ 201 Criminology
CJ 305 Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties
CJ 312 Police Process
CJ 330 Correctional Process
CJ 340 Courts Process
CJ 350 Juvenile Justice Process
CJ 482 Culture, Crime and Justice
CJ 495 Issues in Criminal Justice

In addition, criminal justice students must choose 12 credit hours of elective courses from the following:
CJ 302 Criminal Law
CJ 311 Criminal Investigation
CJ 315 Principles of Security
CJ/WGS 320 Crimes Against Women
CJ 325 Criminal Justice & Human Rights
CJ 355 Youth Culture & Crime
CJ 380 Special Topics in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
CJ 399 Independent Readings in Criminal Justice
CJ 405 Terrorism
CJ 408 White Collar and Corporate Crime
CJ 411 Community Policing
CJ 420 Juvenile Correctional Counseling
CJ 430 U.S. Jails
CJ 442 Victimology
CJ 444 Forensic Behavior & The Law
CJ 461 Police Management & Legal Issues
CJ 463 Corrections Administration & Legal Issues
CJ 464 Security Administration and Legal Issues
CJ 470 Crime Control and Justice Policy
CJ 490 Criminal Justice Internship
CJ 499 Independent Study & Research

Those students seeking MCOLES Certification must complete the required core courses and the following:
CJ 411 Community Policing
CJ 461 Police Management and Legal Issues
CJ 490 Criminal Justice Internship

Required Police Academy Courses:
CJ 415 Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics
CJ 416 Special Operations and Training
CJ 417 Criminal Investigations II
CJ 418 Patrol and Traffic Administration
CJ 419 Michigan Criminal Law

For courses, curriculum, other degree related information, and faculty listings, please visit the Grand Valley State University catalog online at www.gvsu.edu/catalog.

For More Information

School of Criminal Justice
Grand Valley State University
289 C DeVos Center
401 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6431
Telephone: (616) 331-7130
Web: www.gvsu.edu/cj
or
Admissions Office
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
Telephone: (616) 331-2025 or (800) 748-0246
Email: admissions@gvsu.edu
Web: www.gvsu.edu/admissions