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.
Henry Ford College Associate degree options
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Associate in Science (AS)
- Associate in General Studies (AGS)
- Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement (AA)
- Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement with Academy (AA)
- Other degree programs are possible but may exceed 120 total credits.
Recommended degree program: Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement (AA) or Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement with Academy (AA)
Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Satisfies Wayne State University's General Education Requirements
| Goal/Area of Study | Henry Ford College Course | Credits | WSU Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Composition | ENG 131 Intro to College Writing | 3 | ENG 1020 |
| ENG 132 College Writing & Research II | 3 | ENG 3010 | |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | *ARA 131, FRE 131, GER 131 or SPN 131 | 4 | 1 of 2 Foreign language |
| See MTA; approved humanities/fine arts (non-foreign language) | 3 | See advisor | |
| Mathematics | See MTA; approved mathematics | 4 | See advisor |
| Natural Sciences | See MTA; approved science | 3-4 | See advisor |
| See MTA; approved science with lab | 4-5 | See advisor | |
| Social Sciences | See MTA; approved social science | 3 | See advisor |
| See MTA; approved social science | 3 | See advisor | |
| Criminal Justice Pathway Courses | *ARA 132, FRE 132, GER 132 or SPN 132 | 4 | 2 of 2 Foreign Language |
| CRJ 131 Intro to Law Enforcement | 3 | CRJ 1010 | |
| CRJ electives (any CRJ courses) | 12 | CRJ 1XXX or 2XXX | |
| Total Credits | 49-51 |
*All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the two-course sequence in a single foreign language. Proficiency is demonstrated by completing courses numbered 1010 and 1020 in one of the following subject area codes: ASL, ARB, ARM, CHI, FRE, GER, GKA, GKM, HEB, ITA, JPN, LAT, POL, RUS, SPA, SWA, and UKR.
| Transfer Credit Summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathway and Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) | 49-50 |
| Associate degree requirements and additional electives * -See advisor for course recommendations based on associate degree requirements, educational interests, and career goals. | 11-31 |
| Total Transfer Credits | 60-73 min. |
Notes:
- The range of credit hours (Associate degree requirements and additional electives) allows for earning credentials, such as certificates, or additional transfer credit while completing an associate degree. Some course(s) not included in the pathway may satisfy Wayne State requirements.
- The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), Associate in Arts (AA), or Associate in Science (AS) satisfies Wayne State’s University General Education requirements.
- Any courses not completed can be taken at WSU.
- All courses and equivalencies based on catalog year 2024-2025
| College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | 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 |
| Minor (CLAS requirement; see WSU advisor) | 18-24 |
| Total Credits | 39-45 |
| Wayne State credit summary | Credit |
|---|---|
| Major | 39-45 |
| Wayne State electives and/or additional degree enhancements (see WSU advisor) | 0-15 |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE CREDITS | 39-60 min. |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE and TRANSFER CREDITS | 120 min. |
Primary contacts
Henry Ford College
Academic Advising
313-317-6845 | advising@hfcc.edu
Transfer Student Success Center
313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
Criminology and Criminal Justice Department
313-577-2705 | Undergraduate advising | crj@wayne.edu
Notes
- You can review how all courses transfer using the course equivalency tool. For a self-service, customized WSU degree audit, please visit https://wayne.edu/transfer/tess
- Wayne State requires a minimum of 30 credits in residency.
- 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). See transfer credit guidelines.
- 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 the community college will need to be taken at WSU.
- The pathway was signed on December 12, 2022.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.