Criminal Justice, B.A.S.

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice, B.A.S. program at Western Oregon University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, preparing them for careers in field positions, civic endeavors, or graduate programs. The program emphasizes ethical administration of justice and addresses societal marginalization's impact on fairness. Students complete core courses, including research methods, forensic investigations, and restorative justice, and may participate in a practicum for hands-on experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Program Name: Criminal Justice, B.A.S.
• Institution: Western Oregon University
• Program Objectives:
• Provide students with a high-quality liberal arts education in the interdisciplinary field of criminal justice.
• Maintain a network of local, state, federal and academic institutions through outreach and research.
• Prepare Criminal Justice majors to engage in civic endeavors and to assume field positions in criminal justice and social service agencies or enter graduate programs.
It emphasizes the ethical administration of justice in a free society and the impact of societal marginalization on the fair application of justice.

Outline:

• Core Courses:
• CJ 213 Introduction to Criminal Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 214 The Juvenile Justice System (4 credits)
• CJ 219 Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 252 American Courts (4 credits)
• CJ 267 Social Research Writing (4 credits)
• CJ 310 Report Writing (4 credits)
• CJ 321 Principles of Forensic Investigations (4 credits)
• CJ 327 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 331 Police and Community: Policy Perspective (4 credits)
• CJ 352 Criminal Law (4 credits)
• CJ 407 Senior Capstone Seminar (4 credits)
• CJ 409 Practicum (4-8 credits)
• CJ 425 Program Evaluation/Participation (4 credits)
• CJ 427 Quantitative Methods in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 444 Restorative Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 445 Race and Justice (4 credits)
• CJ 446 Cultural Competency and American Law Enforcement (4 credits)
• CJ 450 Criminology (4 credits)
• CJ 453 Corrections (4 credits)
• Total Credits: 76
• Practicum: Criminal Justice majors normally complete a practicum as part of their degree.
Students must have an overall GPA of 2.67 in order to participate in a practicum. Students who do not have a GPA of 2.67 by their senior year, must either petition to partake in a practicum, or, in consultation with their faculty adviser, select classes that will be substituted for their practicum credits.

Teaching:

• Faculty:
• Professors: Vivian Aseye Djokotoe, Misty Weitzel
• Associate professors: Miyuki Arimoto, Omar Melchor Ayala, Mari Sakiyama, Taryn VanderPyl