Skip to main content
CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A Criminal Justice degree prepares students for careers in law, law enforcement, corrections, political science, public administration, and other government and service professions.

Trooper Darriontae Stewart '19 Ohio State Highway Patrol and Criminal and Social Justice Professor Kristin Blochowski
The Department of Criminal and Social Justice’s mission is to prepare students to work toward attaining justice within the formal social systems of our multicultural society. Upon graduation, students will be able to implement the values of fairness and cooperation by using empathy and compassion for the good of the individual and society.
Criminal Justice is the study of the practices and institutions involved in carrying out social control. Through the system’s three parts—law enforcement, courts, and corrections—crimes are investigated, charges are brought with resulting convictions, and punishment or rehabilitation sanctions are justly imposed.
Social Justice examines the ideals of justice versus the realities of injustice to find solutions to social issues. Through the sociological perspective, students will learn about the three parts of the criminal justice system and create positive social change. The Criminal Justice degree is excellent preparation for careers in law enforcement, law, corrections, probation, political science, public administration, human resources, and other government and service professions. It is also an excellent foundation for continued law or graduate school studies.

Criminal Justice (BA, AA)

Plan of Study

REQUIRED CURRICULUM

Required Core and General Education

Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice

Total credit hours: 60

Connections 101

3

ENG 101

3

ENG 313, 351,352,355 (choose 1 )

3

MTH 212

3

Ethics (Must use CSJ 324)

3

Cultural diversity (Must use CSJ 304)

3

History

3

Literature

3

Philosophy

3

Theology

3

Fine arts

3

Natural Science

3

Social Science

3

Required Criminal and Social Justice courses 

CSJ 102  Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CSJ 205  Juvenile Delinquency

3

CSJ 210  Criminology

3

CSJ 213  Criminal Investigation

3

CSJ 218  Community Corrections

3

CSJ 304  Multicultural Diversity  (Cultural Diversity requirement)

x

CSJ 307 Penology (add)

3

CSJ 324 Ethics and Criminal Justice (Must use as Ethics requirement) x

CSJ 331 Criminal Law and Procedure

3

CSJ 444 Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice

3

*10 hours service learning

Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice

Total credit hours: 120

Required Core and General Education

LUC Series, 101, 102, 201, 202 (CSJ 209 required in major for LUC 202)

8

ENG 101 Composition I: Essay Writing

3

ENG 102 Composition II: Research & Writing

3

Math (MTH 212 Statistics)

3

Ethics (required in major CSJ 324)

3

399 Enduring Questions Seminar

2-3

Cultural Diversity (required in major CSJ 304)

3

History

3

Philosophy

3

Theology

6

Fine Arts

3

Literature

3

Natural Science

3

Social Science (required in major CSJ 101)

3

Required Criminal and Social Justice courses

CSJ 101 Introduction to Sociology

x

CSJ 102 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CSJ 205 Juvenile Delinquency

3

CSJ 209 Communication and Conflict resolution (use for LUC 202 above)x

CSJ 210 Criminology

3

CSJ 213 Criminal Investigation

3

CSJ 218 Community Corrections

3

CSJ 304 Multicultural Diversity   (use as Cultural Diversity req above)

x

CSJ 307 Penology

3

CSJ 331 Criminal Law and Procedure

3

CSJ 324 Ethics and Criminal Justice (Use as ethics core)

CSJ 325 Victimology

3

CSJ 327 Social Science Research

3

CSJ 444 Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice

3

CSJ 490 Criminal Justice Capstone Experience

3

Criminal Justice Electives (9 credit hours in CSJ)

9

CSJ or other Electives

32-33

Service Learning totaling 20 clock hours*

Minor in Criminal Justice

Total credit hours: 18

Required Criminal and Social Justice Courses

CSJ 102 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CSJ 205 Juvenile Delinquency

3

CSJ 218 Community Corrections

3

CSJ 304 Multicultural Diversity

3

CSJ 307 Penology

3

CSJ 444 Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice

3

Learning Outcomes

CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Students will understand basic sociological concepts and theories and their relationship to the institutions of social control.
  2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the administration of law enforcement agencies, adult and juvenile court systems, corrections policies, policing, philosophies of crime and punishment, and theories of deviance.
  3. Students will express themselves clearly and coherently and be able to discuss, in written and oral form, issues related to law enforcement and the provision of justice in society.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply ethical principles to the administration of justice.
  5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural nature of society and the implications of societal diversity for the justice system.

SOCIOLOGY LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic Sociological Concepts & Theory
Students will understand basic concepts in sociology so that they will be able to:

  • Define, give examples, and demonstrate an understanding of sociological concepts and theories.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply sociological concepts and theories
  • Express ideas clearly and coherently in writing and oral presentations.

Basic Research Competence
Students will understand the role of evidence in sociology, such that they will be able to:

  • Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge;
  • Compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data;
  • Complete a research study’s component(s) and explain various decisions.

Cultural and Global Diversity
Students will understand the diversity of American society and its place in the international context such that they will be able to:

  • Describe the significance of variations by race, ethnicity, class, gender, age, sexual orientation, and other culturally relevant categories in human relations;
  • Describe the social factors and processes through which prejudice and discrimination are created and perpetrated.

Criminal Justice Faculty

Ray Carroll, M.P.A.

Ray Carroll, M.P.A.

Instructor of Criminal and Social Justice - Adjunct Faculty

Dale Lanigan, Ed.D.

Dale Lanigan, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of Criminal and Social Justice - Adjunct Faculty

Michelle Poole, M.A.

Michelle Poole, M.A.

Instructor of Criminal and Social Justice - Adjunct Faculty

Kristin Blochowski

Kristin Romaine-Blochowski, J.D., M.Ed.

Assistant Professor of Criminal and Social Justice

Jessica Ziegler

Jessica Ziegler, Ph.D.

Criminal and Social Justice Program Director; Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Lourdes University is accredited by nine national, regional, and professional organizations including the Higher Learning Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly known as the Ohio Board of Regents).

Consider a Dual Major

Many Criminal Justice students choose a dual major in Social Work, strengthening employment opportunities and providing advanced standing for graduate study programs.

Discover Lourdes.

Arrange a personal tour of our campus.

SCHEDULE A VISIT
Close Menu