Dual Degree Criminal Justice Program

Criminal Justice students enrolled in the Dual Degree Program must complete the required undergraduate coursework necessary for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. During their senior year, undergraduate students enrolled in this option will be required to take a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) criminal justice required core graduate-level courses: CRJ 5010 Modern American Justice, CRJ 5020 Constitutional Law and Legal issues, CRJ 5030 Graduate Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and/or CRJ 5040 Ethics and Morality in Criminal Justice. These courses will count towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree requirements, students in the BS/MS program must take the remaining core graduate classes that are required, plus an any additional credits adding to a total of 33 credits (5 core classes and 6 electives) (See the Graduate Catalog for more information on master’s degree requirements.)

Dual Degree Program Policies

At least one and up to four graduate-level courses (CRJ 5010, CRJ 5020, CRJ 5030 and/or CRJ 5040) need to be completed during the senior year with a "B-" or better to continue in the master’s degree.

If a student does not take at least one graduate-level course, that student must leave the Dual Degree Program and change their major to the Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Program.

If a student takes1 to 3 approved graduate-level courses as an undergraduate (CRJ 5010, CRJ 5020, CRJ 5030, CRJ 5040), the Director may approve substitution(s) of additional undergraduate-level CRJ course(s) to complete the baccalaureate degree. This will allow the student to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the Dual Degree Program.  If the student continues into the master’s program, that student must still complete 33 credits of graduate work (500 level classes) including all core requirements. 

Any dual degree graduate student who does not have at least one graduate-level course (CRJ 5010, CRJ 5020, CRJ 5030 or CRJ 5040) completed with a "B-" or better as part of the bachelor's degree, will need to have a records review with the Director of Criminal Justice. If allowed to continue in the Dual Degree Master's program, the student will do so subject to immediate completion of CRJ 5010, CRJ 5020, CRJ 5030 and CRJ 5040, as soon as the classes are offered.

Progression Policy for Dual Degree Program

All dual degree BS/MS students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their Criminal Justice courses. In college-wide courses, students should also maintain a 3.0 GPA. Those who fall below a 3.0 overall GPA but are above a 2.5 overall GPA and maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA in Criminal Justice courses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for eligibility to remain in the program by the Director of the Graduate Criminal Justice program. Those who fall below 2.5 GPA overall, regardless of their Criminal Justice GPA, will be removed from the BS/MS program and moved to the BS program. Such students need to apply to the CRJ graduate program in the normal manner if they wish to continue.  Students who fall below 3.5 have no guarantee of admission into the graduate program. Additionally, they may be admitted fully or provisionally or not at all at the discretion of the Director of the Criminal Justice Graduate Program.