The goal of the program is to prepare students for careers in international corporations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and departments and agencies of the federal government which manage foreign affairs.

The combined BA in Government and Politics and MA in Criminal Justice is open to Government and Politics majors admitted to the university.  After successful completion of 64 credits at the undergraduate level but no later than completion of 90 credits, students who have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and 3.25 in their major, must declare their candidacy to continue in the combined degree program.  This affords students the opportunity to collaborate with their adviser in the selection of undergraduate and graduate courses.  Students in the combined degree program must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA in the graduate program for which they have been approved.

Program Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: Consistent with and in addition to the criteria established by the Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences (ACJS), students will acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of administration of justice; U.S. Constitution, U.S. government, political system, and public policy; corrections; criminological theory; law adjudication; law enforcement; and research and analytic methods.

Critical Thinking: Students will learn and demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving by selecting and organizing information, identifying assumptions and causal relationships, distinguish between verifiable facts and value claims, determine the credibility of sources, distinguish between warranted or unwarranted reasons or conclusions, detect biases, and evaluate appropriate problem solving strategies, their feasibility and efficacy.

Effective Communication: Students will be able to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally, the conventions of the English language in a clear, concise, articulate, literate, and professional manner consistent with those of college writing and those specific to the discipline of law and criminal justice.

Information and Technological Literacy: Students will be able to demonstrate information literacy and technological competency utilizing the most current computer-based library computer systems and academic databases, governmental resources, and other bono-fide informational resources to facilitate the study of criminal justice and criminology.

Ethical and Professional Behavior: Students will learn to identify, evaluate, assess, and employ appropriate legal, ethical, and professional behaviors and practices within all aspects of their life, including, but not limited to an academic and criminal justice environment.

Degree Plan

NOTE: All students are required to complete the General Education Requirements of their campus in fulfillment of their Bachelor degree requirements.

Required major courses (24 credits)

  • GOVT1000  American Government & Politics
  • GOVT2130    International Relations
  • GOVT2216    Problems in Politics
  • GOVT2400    Politics & Ethics
  • GOVT2500    Rsrch Methods in the Social Sciences
  • CRIM6000   Prof. Seminar Criminal Justice
  • CRIM6005   Advanced Criminological Theory
  • CRIM6025   Social Science Research Methods & Statistics

Major electives (21 credits)

Select from 2000, 3000 and 4000 level courses in GOVT.  At least (6) credits from 3000 level or higher.

Master’s degree courses (27 credits)

  • CRIM6010  U.S. Constitution, Public Policy, & Crim Just
  • CRIM8000  Critical Analysis of Criminal Justice (or)
  • CRIM8050  Master’s Research Project

Graduate Electives (21 credits)