Criminal Justice (BS)
What is Criminal Justice?
A degree in criminal justice critically examines the nature of crime and how the system responds to and attempts to manage crime. We prepare students intellectually and ethically to understand the complexities of crime, make communities safer, and ensure justice. Our program offers students opportunities for field experience internships, community-engaged research, and analytic writing, preparing them for professional roles or advanced study in graduate or law school.
What can I do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
Career options in criminal justice are virtually limitless, and many CJ majors earn careers in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, or a variety of non-profit organizations that serve the criminal justice system. Additionally, many continue on to graduate school earning a master's, doctoral, or Juris Doctor.
Course planning
Choose an area of study (associate degree), earn Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and complete pathway courses. The below pathway outlines the required Wayne County Community College District courses. Courses not taken or transferred from Wayne County Community College District can be completed at Wayne State University.
Choose an area of study
| Associate Degree | |
|---|---|
| Associate of Arts (AA) | Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement (AAS) |
| Associate of Science (AS) | Paralegal Technology (AAS) |
| Criminal Justice: Corrections (AAS) |
Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
| MTA Requirement/Specific Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| *ENG 119 English Composition I (ENG 1020) | 3 | |
| *ENG 120 English Composition II (ENG 3010) | 3 | |
| Approved Mathematics (see MTA) | 4 | |
| Approved Natural Science (see MTA) | 3 | |
| Approved Natural Science with lab (see MTA) | 4-5 | Second science must be from different discipline with lab |
| Approved Social Science (see MTA) | 3 | |
| Approved Social Science (see MTA) | 3 | Second Social Science must be from different discipline |
| +*Foreign Language (ARA 101, FRE 101, GER 101, or SPN 101) | 4 | 1 of 2 required foreign language proficiency |
| Approved Humanities/Fine Arts (see MTA) | 3 | Second Humanities/Art must be from different discipline. |
| Total | 30 credits min. |
*Meets MTA requirements and/or satisfies Wayne State degree requirement (prerequisites may be required, see WCCCD advisor).
Complete pathway courses
| Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CJS 100 Intro to Criminal Justice (CRJ 1010) | 3 | |
| LEA Electives | 12 | See WSU advisor |
| +Foreign Language (ARA 102, FRE 102, GER 102, or SPN 102 | 4 | Satisfies 2 of 2 WSU required foreign language proficiency |
| Total | 19 credits |
+Meets required WSU College of Liberal Arts foreign language requirements (two-semester sequence in a single foreign language).
Course planning
The following courses are required to finish the degree requirements. Any pathway course(s) not completed at the community college can be completed at Wayne State University.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CRJ 2550 Race, Crime, & Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 3550 Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 3800 Criminological Theories | 3 |
| CRJ Electives (3000-level or above; See WSU advisor) | 12 |
| Total | 21 credits (minimum) |
Transfer credit summary
| Transfer credit summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Wayne County Community College District transferrable credits | 75 credits |
| Required Wayne State University Major credits Additional CRJ, Electives, or Minor (see WSU advisor) | 21 credits 24 credits |
| Total credits required to complete bachelor's degree | 120 credits (transferred or WSU) |
- WSU requires a minimum of 30 hours in residency.
- You can review how courses transfer using the course equivalency tool for other acceptable equivalences.
How do I get started?
- Join Wayne State Transfer Pathways
- Schedule a WSU Transfer Success Appointment
- Meet with your academic advisors and track your academic progress
Notes
- The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).
- All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at WCCCD will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of WCCCD and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.
Primary contacts
Wayne County Community College District
District Division of Student Services
Ms. Nanette Williams-Armstrong
313-496-2634 | nwillia2@wcccd.edu
Transfer Student Success Center
313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
Criminology and Criminal Justice Department
313-577-2705 | Undergraduate advising | crj@wayne.edu
Career insights
This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.