B.S. Criminal Justice

Averett's Criminal Justice program allows students to prepare themselves for entry or advancement in any of the many criminal justice occupations.   The Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice is designed to give the student a broad-based professional preparation for his/her chosen career. 

Students who have completed an Associate Degree in criminal justice from another regionally accredited college may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice in a 2+2 program. The 60 hours required for these degrees are designed to give the student a well-balanced educational experience and to provide professional development for his/her chosen career.

A degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice allows students to prepare for entry into any of hundreds of jobs available today. The curriculum provides an excellent background for becoming a police officer, crime scene investigator, probation and parole officer, special agent for the FBI and other agencies.

Students examine the area of criminal law, prisons, court processes and procedures, the Constitution, and police procedures. An internship in one of the criminal justice agencies or departments allows students to experience for themselves what professionals do in these occupations.

Students must attain at least a 2.00 grade point average in the major in order to graduate.

Requirements for a Major in Sociology/Criminal Justice (IDEAL Program)
In addition to the general education and elective requirements, the following courses are required:

• SOC101, Introduction to Sociology
• SOC216, Criminology
• SOC317, American Minorities
• SOC470, Research Methods
• CRJ301, Criminal Justice
• CRJ304/SOC304, Police in America
• CRJ340/SOC340, Juvenile Delinquency and Justice  
• CRJ375/SOC375, Corrections
• CRJ387, Criminal Law
• CRJ407, Courts and Trials
• Electives (four courses selected from the following options)
• CRJ488, Criminal Procedure
• CRJ352, Criminal Investigation
• CRJ445, Criminal Justice Internship
• SOC329/CRJ329, Drugs and Substance Abuse
• SOC306, Marriage and Family
• SOC309, Society and the Individual

Requirements for a Major in Sociology/Criminal Justice 2+2 Program (IDEAL)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice may be selected by students who have completed an associate's degree from another regionally accredited college/university prior to enrolling at Averett.  A student choosing this option must complete the following requirements either through transfer credit or courses taken at Averett.  Students must have at least 123 total credit hours in order to graduate—33 of those hours must be completed at Averett).

• ENG111, Introduction to Writing and Research
• ENG112, Introduction to Literature
• MTH103, Principles of Mathematics
• Fine Arts (meets General Education requirement): 2 courses
• REL101, Introduction to Old Testament Literature or REL102, Introduction to New Testament Literature
• Religion or Philosophy Elective
• HIS101, 102, History of Western Civilization I, II
• MTH160, Introduction to Statistics
• SOC101, Introduction to Sociology
• CRJ387, Criminal Law
• CRJ440, Senior Seminar; or CRJ445, Internship; or CRJ/SOC488, Criminal Procedure
• SOC470, Research Methods
• CRJ or SOC Electives (18 credit hours)
• Other Electives to equal at least 60 senior college hours

A Sociology or Criminal Justice Research Project is required.  This is a substantial research paper involving original research.  CRJ440, CRJ445, or CRJ488 will meet these requirements. 

Check the catalog for requirements