Jun 13, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (IN PROGRESS) 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (IN PROGRESS)

Criminal Justice B.A./B.S.


Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree/Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree


May be either depending on option selected; see the “Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees ” section of this catalog.

Major in Criminal Justice


(Major Codes: 133, 834, 835)

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary program. Students select a major track in:

  • Administration (Code 133) - available as an ONLINE DEGREE
  • Corrections (community supervision, prison, parole) (Code 834)
  • Policing (Code 835)

University Core Curriculum Requirements (42 hours)


 

**IMPORTANT: Before selecting from these courses, students should review any major-specific core requirements in the major below as they will be required to take those courses instead.**

 

Core 10 - Communication (3 hours from ENGL options)

Core 10 - Communication (3 hours from COMM options)

Core 20 - Mathematics (3 hours)

Core 30 - Life and Physical Sciences (6 hours)

Core 40 - Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours)

Core 50 - Creative Arts (3 hours)

Core 60 - American History (6 hours)

Core 70 - Government / Political Science (6 hours)

Core 80 - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

Core 90 - Component Area Option (6 hours or fewer; may depend on major requirements)

Criminal Justice Major Requirements


 

Major-Specific University Core Requirements


**IMPORTANT: The following courses are required for their specific Core areas instead of the courses listed above in the general University Core Curriculum.**

Core 80 - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)


Students are encouraged to take the following course:

Required Criminal Justice Courses for Emphasis


 

B.A./B.S. Requirements (6-12 hours)


Complete the requirements for your specific degree.

B.A. Degree

In addition to the core curriculum, a minimum of 12 hours as follows:

  • At least six hours of foreign language, and
  • Six hours chosen from art, communication studies, dance, English, history, media communications, modern languages, music, philosophy, religion, and theatre.

B.S. Degree

In addition to the core curriculum, a minimum of 6 hours as follows:

  • Six hours chosen from biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, geosciences, mathematics, physics, and natural sciences.

Electives (est. 0-9 hours)


Total hours required to complete degree: 120 hours


A student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, which includes at least 36 advanced hours taken at WTAMU.

Additional Information


Accepted Coursework


Students transferring into the Criminal Justice Program may transfer the following courses: Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRIJ 1301 ), Court Systems and Practices (CRIJ 1306 ), Fundamentals of Criminal Law (CRIJ 1310 ), Correctional Systems and Practices (CRIJ 2313) and Police Systems and Practices (CRIJ 2328 ). An additional six hours of selected academic classes may be accepted upon individual review.

Transfer Students


Transfer students should be aware that some of the courses required for an associate degree in criminal justice may not apply to baccalaureate degree requirements.

Online Degree


Students may complete criminal justice degree in administration online.

M.A. Degree in Criminal Justice Studies


For information about the master of arts (M.A.) degree in criminal justice studies, refer to the “Graduate Catalog”.

Advising Services Degree Checklists and Curriculum Guides


Degree checklists and curriculum guides (suggested course sequences) are available by linking to the Advising Services Degree Checklists webpage.