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 Oakland Community College courses. Courses not taken or transferred from Oakland Community College can be completed at Wayne State University.
Choose an area of study
*Waives WSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences minor requirement. Due to the requirements associated with these programs the total amount of credit earned will likely exceed the minimum bachelor's degree requirement.
Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
| MTA Requirement/Specific Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| *ENG 1510 Composition I (ENG 1020) | 3 | ENG 1510E also acceptable |
| *ENG 1520 Composition II (ENG 3010) | 3 | |
| Approved Math/Quantitative Reasoning (see MTA) | 4 | |
| Approved Natural Science (see MTA) | 3-4 | |
| 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 |
| *ARB, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, SLI or SPA 1510 (see MTA) | 4 | Satisfies 1 of 2 WSU 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 OCC counselor).
Complete pathway courses
| Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRJ 1010 Intro to Criminal Justice (CRJ 1010) | 3 | |
| CRJ Electives (Any CRJ course) | 12 | See WSU advisor |
| **ARB, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, SLI or SPA 1530 (second language, same language) | 4 | Satisfies 2 of 2 required foreign language proficiency |
| Total | 19 credits |
**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: ARB, ARM, CHI, FRE, GER, GKA, GKM, HEB, ITA, JPN, LAT, POL, RUS, SPA, SWA, and UKR.
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 |
|---|---|
| Oakland Community College transferrable credits | 81 credits |
| Required Wayne State University Major credits Additional CRJ, Electives, or Minor (see WSU advisor) | 21 credits 18-24 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 the community college will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of community college and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.
- Career 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.
Primary contacts
Oakland Community College
Counseling Office
oaklandcc.edu/counseling
248-341-2000
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.