University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
Criminal Justice (Criminal Justice Major), B.A. in C.J.
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Students who receive a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice complete a social science degree preparing them for justice-related careers, graduate study, and law school. The Criminal Justice degree is recommended for students who desire an understanding of the criminal justice system, law, and justice. The degree is not intended to serve as a professional training program; rather it is an academically centered major that focuses on the legal, ethical, administrative, and behavioral aspects of the justice system and its various parts. The degree has two options or programs. All students must complete a core of required courses which focus broadly on the criminal justice system and its components. The Criminal Justice Major particularly focuses on the criminal justice system, its components, and administration, criminological theory, and issues of theory, diversity, myth, and ethics. The interdisciplinary Law and Justice Specialization concentrates on the context of law and justice in a heterogeneous society including coursework in law and justice theory and policy as well as practical courses in legal research and writing, and coursework in other disciplines such as philosophy.
Department website: http://www.unr.edu/criminal-justice
Go to explore majors: http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/criminal-justice/UNR Career Studio: http://www.unr.edu/career
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Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe the myths of the criminal justice system and explain issues and dilemmas of problem-solving in a pluralistic society. (C)
- conduct meaningful analysis and program assessment by applying quantitative and qualitative social science skills. (QR)
- formulate sophisticated thinking and writing in critical, programmatic, and evaluative venues and apply a variety of epistemological traditions. (CT)
- make use of a variety of ethical systems to conduct themselves as ethical persons in complex and demanding situations.
- conduct constant self-reflection as required to be an effective philosopher/practitioner amidst the American diversity in race, ethnicity, gender and class.
Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno
Use the transfer agreement and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.
If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.
Graduation Requirements
- Total Units | 120
- Cumulative GPA | 2.0
- University GPA | 2.0
- Major GPA | 2.0
- Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
- Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
- Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)
NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy .”
Students must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course description.
A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3
B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .
C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .
D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .
E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .
F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.
II. Additional Core Requirements (6 units maximum)
Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.
A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9
Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9 courses .
B. Diversity & Equity - CO10
Choose one course; the following count in the Major Requirement:
D. Ethics - CO12
Choose one course; the following count in the Major Requirement:
E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13
Choose one course; the following recommended courses count in the Major Requirement:
III. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)
Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.
A. World Language Requirement (0-14 units)
Students seeking this bachelor’s degree must demonstrate proficiency in a world language other than English equal to a fourth semester course level through one of the following options:
- complete a fourth semester college course in a world language other than English;
- demonstrate proficiency through a means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures including but not limited to minimum standardized test scores (CBAPE, SAT II, or IB), attaining a minimum aptitude on an accredited world language assessment test, or providing transcript evidence of a high school or equivalent diploma in which English was not the language of instruction; or,
- participate in a study abroad language program pre-approved by the Department of World Languages and Literatures to meet the world language requirement.
Note: Four years of high school world language instruction does not automatically satisfy this requirement.
B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)
Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 8).
IV. Major Requirements (42 units)
A. Major Core Requirements
B. Group Requirement (9 units)
Choose one course from each of the following groups.
V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)
The Criminal Justice Department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts, OR
Complete criminal justice related subjects (approved list of courses available in the department office.)
VI. Electives (4-27 units)
VII. Recommended Schedule
Use the Planner in MyNEVADA to build a custom graduation plan. Review and adjust the plan in each academic advisement session.
Spring Semester (16-17 units)
Fall Semester (15-16 units)
Spring Semester (15 units)
Spring Semester (15 units)
- 300-400 Level CRJ Group II (3 units)
- 300-400 Level CRJ (3 units)
- 300-400 Level Related Subject (3 units) OR
- 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)
- College Breadth Requirement (3 units)
- 300-400 Level General Elective (3 units)
Spring Semester (12 units)
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