Justice Studies

B.A. in Justice Studies

The Justice Studies major is a multidisciplinary program that draws on the strong liberal arts tradition of the College. The program aims to provide students with a broad but intensive understanding and appreciation of the important social, ethical, political, and cultural issues pertinent to criminal justice and the law. The program is carefully designed to meet the needs and expectations of both full-time and part-time students, as well as professionals working in the criminal justice/legal studies field who want to continue and/or update their studies.

Core Requirements

• JUS 101    Introduction to Justice Studies 
• JUS 221    Criminal Law 
• JUS 231    Criminal Procedure 
• PS 221      Law and Contemporary American Society 
• JUS 425    Senior Seminar

Related Requirements

• Math 119   Elementary Statistics

Criminal Justice Track

The Criminal Justice Track is designed for students with career interests in areas such as law enforcement, parole, corrections, juvenile justice, and criminal-justice administration.

Students in the Criminal Justice Track must take 4 courses (12/13 credits) from among:

• JUS 201     Women and the Criminal Justice System 
• JUS 205     Criminal Investigation
• JUS 211     The Corrections System
• JUS 251     Law Enforcement 
• JUS 301     Juvenile Law and Justice
• JUS 311     Intimate Violence
• JUS 305     Public Safety Leadership and Supervision (4 Credits)
• JUS 325     Victimology 
• JUS 341     Women and the Law

Criminal Justice Track Majors must take 3 electives (9/10 credits) selected from the list of courses below and/or from the courses not already taken in the list above.

• CHEM 113   Introduction to Forensic Science (4 Credits)
• JUS 405      Research Methods for Justice Studies Professionals
• JUS 490      Special Topics
• JUS 495      Internship
• PE 259        Drug Use and Abuse
• PS 211        State and Local Government
• PS 241        Public Policy and Administration
• PSY 219      Crisis Intervention
• SOC 211     Deviant Behavior

Legal Studies Track

The Legal Studies Track is designed for students who plan to attend law school or a paralegal program, or who have an interest in the law as a scholarly subject.

Students in the Legal Studies Track must take 4 courses (12 credits) from among:

• JUS 301     Juvenile Law and Justice
• JUS 311     Intimate Violence
• JUS 325     Victimology
• JUS 331     Family Law
• JUS 341     Women and the Law
• PS 371       American Constitutional Law
• PS 211      State and Local Government

Legal Studies Track Majors also must take 3 electives (9 credits) selected from the list of courses below and/or from the courses not already taken in the list above.

• BUS 230     Business Law I
• COMM 223  Fundamentals of Public Speaking
• ENG 201     The Craft of Writing
• JUS 210     Legal Research and Writing
• JUS 327     Victim Law and Services
• JUS 405     Research Methods for Justice Studies Professionals
• JUS 490     Special Topics
• JUS 495     Internship
• PHI 103     Logic and Rhetoric
• PS 241      Public Policy and Administration

Capstone Requirement:

Justice Studies majors fulfill their Capstone Requirement while taking the Senior Seminar. Each student completes a research assignment appropriate to her chosen Track. Criminal Justice or Legal Studies. Finished assignments are discussed and reviewed by the full class at the conclusion of the seminar.

Combined Degree Program

To be eligible for the Combined Masters Degree Program, students must achieve a 3.0 or higher grade point average. Additionally, candidates must complete three of four prerequisite courses enumerated below.

Qualified students, after successful completion of their junior year, may apply to take two designated graduate courses (6 credits), which can be applied as free electives toward the completion of their undergraduate program and/or toward the 30-credit requirement for the Master’s Degree in Justice Studies.

• PS 241     Public Policy and Administration

OR

• JUS 305    Public Safety Management
• JUS 405    Research for Justice Studies Majors
• JUS 325    Victimology

Graduate Courses:

• MC 626 Ethical Issues
• JUS 655 Policy and Planning

Minor in Justice Studies

A Justice Studies minor is available in either the Criminal Justice or Legal Studies Track. The minor consists of 18 credits taken in one of the following patterns:

Criminal Justice Minor Track

• JUS 101    Introduction to Justice Studies 
• PS 221      Law and Contemporary American Society 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      300-Level Elective

Legal Studies Minor Track

• JUS 101    Introduction to Justice Studies 
• PS 221      Law and Contemporary American Society 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      Elective 
• JUS ---      300-Level Elective

Minor in Victim Services

The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) has established an 18-credit program designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the criminal justice/legal system. The student will gain an understanding of the sociological and psychological theories of victimization, effects of victimization, training in basic intervention/counseling skills, and professional experience in Victim Services through a professional internship placement. A 50% tuition discount is available for current criminal justice professionals, such as police officers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, court administrators, correction officers and members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.

There is a growing movement within the criminal justice system in the United States to better support and serve victims of crime. This movement, which had its beginnings in New Jersey, is now becoming nationwide. Police departments, social service agencies, as well as county prosecutors' offices, are providing victim services.

The program is taught by experienced faculty members and consists of a combined curriculum from the areas of Justice Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. This certificate would be beneficial to individuals looking to pursue a career in any area of Victim Services or a current professional within the criminal justice system, social work agencies, hospitals, and community mental health agencies.

Required Courses

• JUS 311    Intimate Violence
• JUS 325    Victimology 
• JUS 327    Victim Law and Services
• PSY 219    Crisis Intervention
• JUS ---      Elective*
• JUS 495    Internship**

* Students may not select a course in their major to fulfill the elective requirement.
** Internships must be approved by a Justice Studies faculty member.

M.A. in Justice Administration and Public Service

The mission of the College of Saint Elizabeth, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity, is to be a community of learning in the Catholic liberal arts tradition for students of diverse backgrounds, cultures and ages. In order to meet the needs of the 21st Century, the College of Saint Elizabeth has developed a program that focuses on the development of exceptional leaders with a strong concern for social justice, in the areas of public safety and administration. Individuals who desire a career in the realm of public safety must be fully grounded in the moral, ethical and all aspects of justice milieu consistent with democratic societies. A graduate of the program will be prepared for managerial and executive positions including making responsible decisions within various sectors of the justice system, such as police departments, courts, corrections, probation, parole and counseling victims and offenders.

Required Courses

The M.A. in Justice Administration and Public Service consists of 6 required courses and 4 elective courses for a total of 30 credits.The courses are as follows:

• JUS 650    Justice Administration
• JUS 655    Justice Policy and Planning 
• MC 626     Ethical Issues in Human Services Leadership
• JUS 660    Victimization and Justice 
• JUS 685    Research Methods 
• JUS 690    Capstone Seminar/Experience

Electives Courses:

Please refer to Course Descriptions in Graduate Catalog for elective options.

Certificate in Victim Services

The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) has established an 18-credit program designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the criminal justice/legal system. The student will gain an understanding of the sociological and psychological theories of victimization, effects of victimization, training in basic intervention/counseling skills, and professional experience in Victim Services through a professional internship placement. A 50% tuition discount is available for current criminal justice professionals, such as police officers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, court administrators, correction officers and members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.

There is a growing movement within the criminal justice system in the United States to better support and serve victims of crime. This movement, which had its beginnings in New Jersey, is now becoming nationwide. Police departments, social service agencies, as well as county prosecutors' offices, are providing victim services.

The program is taught by experienced faculty members and consists of a combined curriculum from the areas of Justice Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. This certificate would be beneficial to individuals looking to pursue a career in any area of Victim Services or a current professional within the criminal justice system, social work agencies, hospitals, and community mental health agencies.

Required Courses

• JUS 311    Intimate Violence
• JUS 325    Victimology 
• JUS 327    Victim Law and Services
• PSY 219   Crisis Intervention
• JUS ---     Elective*
• JUS 495   Internship**

* Students may not select a course in their major to fulfill the elective requirement.
** Internships must be approved by a Justice Studies faculty member.