Criminal and Justice Studies

7^th Floor Clark Hall
ssw@missouri.edu

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal & Justice Studies combines courses in criminal law, social work, and community engagement to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and social services. Graduates will be equipped to address complex issues in the justice system and make a positive impact on vulnerable populations.

Associate Professor K. Canada**, A. Givens**, C. Peters**
Associate Teaching Professor O. Easter*
Assistant Teaching Professor D. Hanneken*

*: Graduate Faculty Member - membership is required to teach graduate-level courses, chair master's thesis committees, and serve on doctoral examination and dissertation committees.
**: Doctoral Faculty Member - membership is required to chair doctoral examination or dissertation committees. Graduate faculty membership is a prerequisite for Doctoral faculty membership.

BS in Criminal and Justice Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal and Justice Studies will prepare students to work in the criminal legal field, including corrections, law enforcement, community supervision, and court systems. The program is designed to equip students with practical skills alongside theoretical foundations to excel in serving community members. Students will learn from faculty with real-world experience and strong connections to the community.

Admission to the BS in Criminal and Justice Studies:

The BS in CJS does not require an application. Students may declare the major by indicating it on the MU admission application (for new students), completing a change of major form (for current MU students), or notifying their academic advisor of their intention to declare a Criminal and Justice Studies major (for current CHS students).

CJS 1200: Criminal Justice

(same as SOC_WK 1200). This course provides an introduction to the history and development of criminal justice in our country and includes policing and law enforcement, and the adjudication and court process as well as the terminology associated with each system. Theories on crime, prison, community corrections and reentry discussions for both juvenile and adult systems will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on an overview to the major sociological and psychological perspectives on variations from normative individual and group behaviors prevalent in the U.S. society while providing a strengths perspective in which to understand them. Finally, this course will evaluate the delicate balance between community interest and personal freedom that criminal justice decision-making requires.

Credit Hours: 3

CJS 4101: Topics in Criminal and Justice Studies

Special and emerging topics in criminal and justice studies. Subject, content and credit varies depending on available faculty and student interest. May be repeated for credit.

Credit Hour: 1-6
Prerequisites: Departmental consent required

CJS 4355: Study Abroad: Comparative Criminal and Juvenile Justice

(same as SOC_WK 4355; cross-leveled with SOC_WK 7355). This course explores issues of criminal and juvenile justice through a brief survey of the US approach to dealing with people involved in the criminal-legal system and a 10-day visit to Costa Rica to see correctional institutions, meet with justice officials and criminologists, and explore agencies engaged in community-based efforts to address crime and delinquency. This course provides an overview of the justice process and the criminal justice system and provides students an opportunity to consider different approaches to dealing with offending and rehabilitation. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

CJS 4370: Delinquency, Corrections and Social Treatment

(same as SOC_WK 4370). Focuses on problems and causative factors in developing and maintaining delinquent and criminal behavior and attitudes: addressing critical and comparative understanding of social change strategies employed in this field.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Junior Standing