(DRAFT) 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, private sector security and loss prevention, or a variety of non-profit social service organizations that serve the criminal justice system. Additionally, many continue on to graduate school earning a master's, doctoral, or Juris Doctor.
| WCC Associate Degree | |
|---|---|
| Associate in Arts (AA) | Occupational Studies (AAS) |
| Associate in General Studies (AGS) | Criminal Justice (AA) |
| Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Paralegal/Pre-law (AA) |
| Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement (AAS) | Other degree programs are possible but may exceed 120 total credits. |
Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Satisfies Wayne State University's General Education Requirements
| Goal/Area of study | Washtenaw Community College Course | Credits | WSU Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Composition | ENG 111 Composition I | 3 | ENG 1020 |
| ENG 226 Composition II | 3 | ENG 3010 | |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | Foreign language** Pick one: ARB, FRN, GRM, or SPN 111 | 4 | 1 of 2 Foreign language |
| See MTA; approved Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | See advisor | |
| Mathematics | See MTA; approved Mathematics | 4 | See advisor |
| Natural Sciences | See MTA; approved Natural Science | 3 | See advisor |
| See MTA; approved Natural Science (lab) | 4 | See advisor | |
| Social Sciences | See MTA; approved Social Science | 3 | See advisor |
| See MTA; approved Social Science | 3 | See advisor | |
| Criminal Justice Pathway Courses | Foreign language** Pick one: ARB, FRN, GRM, or SPN 122 | 4 | 2 of 2 Foreign language |
| CRJ 100 Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 | CRJ 1010 | |
| CRJ electives (any CRJ course) | 12 | CRJ 1XXX or 2XXX | |
| Total Credits | 49 |
**All students pursuing a degree 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 |
| 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 | 60-80 min. |
*The range of credit hours 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. See advisors for more information.
WCC recommendations: Police Academy (certificate)
| Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | Credit |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Forensic and Investigation Minor (see advisor; other minors are available but may require additional credits) | 15 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
| Wayne State credit summary | Credit |
|---|---|
| Major and minor | 36 |
| Wayne State electives and/or additional degree enhancements (see WSU advisor) | 3-23 |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE CREDITS | 40-60 min. |
| TOTAL WAYNE STATE and TRANSFER CREDITS | 120 min. |
Primary contacts
Washtenaw Community College
Advising Center
734-677-5102 | advising@wccnet.edu
Transfer Student Success Center
Transfer Advising
313-577-2487 | transfer@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 Washtenaw will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of Washtenaw and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.