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School of Criminology and Justice Studies

Sample Degree Pathway for Criminal Justice - General Option

For students who entered fall 2012 to summer 2015.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
ENGL.1010(Gen Ed) College Writing I3
CRIM.1010The CJ System43
CRIM.2210Criminology43
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Arts/Humanities)2
3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)23
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar11
Total16

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
ENGL.1020(Gen Ed) College Writing II3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science w/lab4
CRIM.1410Intro to Policing43
CRIM.1510Intro to Corrections43
MATH.2830Intro to Statistics(Gen. Ed.) Math3
Total16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
CRIM.xxxxCJ Elective #153
CRIM.2340Criminal Law43
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science w/lab4
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
Total16

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
CRIM.xxxxCJ Elective #253
CRIM.xxxxCJ Elective #353
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Arts/Humanities)23
xxxx.xxxxCJ Skill: Language/Computer
3
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
CRIM.3/4xxxCJ Elective #453
CRIM.3900CJ Research Methods43
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Arts/Humanities)23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science (non-lab)3
xxxx.xxxxCJ Skill: Language/Computer
3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
CRIM.3/4xxxCJ Elective #553
xxxx.xxxxCJ/SS or Minor course #163
xxxx.xxxxCJ/SS or Minor course #263
xxxx.xxxxCJ Skill: Language/Computer
3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
xxxx.3/4xxxCJ or Minor course #363
xxxx.3/4xxxCJ or Minor course #463
xxxx.xxxxCJ Skill: Language/Computer
3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
Total15

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCr.
CRIM.3/4xxxCJ Elective #553
CRIM.3/4xxxCJ Elective #66
3
xxxx.3/4xxxSS or Minor course #663
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective33
Total15
Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Required for all entering freshmen; not required for those who transfer to UMass Lowell or into the CJ major.
2Gen. Ed. requirements also include a diversity and ethics designation.
3Free electives must be from departments other than Criminal Justice.
4Criminal Justice Core.
5Three (3) Criminal Justice Electives can be at any level. Three (3) Criminal Justice Electives must be at the 3000 level or above. (18 credits required)
6A minor requires two courses at the 3000/4000 level. Students choosing the CJ/SS option must have two SS courses at the 3000/4000 level AND two CJ courses at the 3000/4000 level.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Notes: 

  • CJ Majors must maintain a 2.500 CJ GPA to remain in the major and an overall GPA or 2.200. 
  • CJ Majors need a minimum of 36 credits and cannot exceed 60 credits in CJ. 
  • CJ Statistics (CRIM.3950) is a required course for application to the 5 year Master’s program.

Last updated: 10/26/2017