Criminal Justice, Comprehensive Major

Liberal Arts (Code 430-001)

University Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)39
Liberal Education Core36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total2.00 average
Resident2.00 average
Major2.00 average
Minor2.00 average
Certificate2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total30
Senior year23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence21
Certificate25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.
1

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

2

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATIONCredit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree creditmaximum 12
Major, Standardmaximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensivemaximum 2 courses
Minormaximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree creditmaximum ¼ of total
Major or minormaximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree creditmaximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, dramamaximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, dramamaximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-Systemno maximum
Other extension/correspondencemaximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFImaximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTSa minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): HumanitiesTwo (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine ArtsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral CommunicationTwo (2) learning experiences
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): MathematicsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): CreativityOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and InclusivityTwo (2) learning experiences
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global PerspectivesOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental IssuesOne (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): IntegrationTwo (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning30 hours

College Degree Requirements

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

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 430-001)

Advisors: J. Spraitz (Criminal Justice), M. Hsieh (Criminal Justice), J. Patchin (Criminal Justice), M. Kelly (Criminal Justice), A. Wilson (Criminal Justice).

The multidisciplinary criminal justice curriculum is designed to familiarize the student with the complex nature of the American criminal justice system. The study of criminal justice focuses upon the structure and functions of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. Included is the analysis of the political, social, cultural, philosophical, and psychological forces that shape the policies, programs, and practices in the system. The liberal arts orientation of the program prepares the student for graduate-level work in criminal justice, law, and for careers at the local, state, and federal levels in law enforcement, corrections, and court related agencies.

Sixty semester credits, including:
Prerequisite Courses (12 credits)
CRMJ 103Survey of the Criminal Justice System3
POLS 110American National Politics3
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
Criminal Justice Core Courses (Minimum 27 credits)
CRMJ 280Criminal Justice Research Methods3
CRMJ 301Criminology Theory3
CRMJ 302Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice3
CRMJ 303Crime Prevention3
CRMJ 319Police in Society3
CRMJ 342Confinement and Corrections3
POLS 301State and Local Politics3
POLS 405U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law3
Select one of the following:3-4
Statistical Methods in Psychology I
Sociological Data Analysis
Elementary Statistics
Other Required Courses (21 credits)
Law, Constitution, Policy Area:
Minimum of six credits from the following:6
Capital Punishment
Ethical Reasoning
Philosophy of Law
Survey of U.S. Constitutional Principles
Judicial Politics
Public Administration
Public Policy in the United States
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Powers of Government
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Civil Liberties
U.S. Constitutional Principles - Equality and Privacy
Introduction to Social Welfare
Social Welfare Policies and Programs
Individual, Social, Political Behavior Area:
Minimum of six credits from the following:6
Race, Crime, and Justice
Victimology
Women and Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity and Cybercrime
Teen Technology Misuse
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
Political Violence
Group and Minority Politics
Afro-American Politics
Social Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Child Psychology
Psychology of Adolescence
Community-based Corrections
Child Welfare
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
Sociology of Family
The Individual in Society
Sociological Research Methods
Sociology of Deviance
Criminal Justice Intervention and Application Area:
Criminal Justice Internship
Theories of Counseling
Positive Psychology
Ethics in Psychology
Introduction to Behavior Modification
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Skills Area:
Maximum of six credits from the following:
Gender, Race, Class, and Communication: The Social Construction of Identity
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Fundamentals of Speech
Listening
Intercultural Communication
Introduction to Cartography and Visualization
Geographic Information Systems I
Logic and Critical Thinking
The following courses will be applied to a specific elective category based on the content:
Special Topics
Directed Studies
Student Academic Apprenticeship in Criminal Justice
Independent Study - Juniors
Special Topics
Independent Study - Seniors

Criminal Justice Honors Program

  1. Goals
    1. To provide an enriched educational experience for subsequent graduate study, professional activity, public life, or citizenship.
    2. To encourage concentrated study in selected areas in the field of criminal justice.
    3. To stimulate and challenge exceptional students to gain a better understanding of the issues, substantive content, research and theory in criminal justice.
    4. To develop capabilities for independent thought and constructive criticism.
  2. Entrance Requirements
    1. Eligibility: Upper-class majors with resident and total GPAs of 3.50 and resident and total GPAs of 3.50 in criminal justice major courses.
    2. Applications for the Honors Program should be made in writing to the Criminal Justice Program Coordinating Committee early in the junior year.
  3. Graduation from the University with Honors in Criminal Justice requires maintaining resident and total GPAs of 3.50 in criminal justice major courses, and satisfactory completion of all of the following:
    1. Criminal justice major requirements.
    2. Six credits of independent study, approved by the student’s honors committee.
    3. An honors examination.
    4. An honors research paper.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Research & Analysis: CRMJ students will be able to develop hypotheses, construct research questions, and use appropriate methods to answer them and analyze findings. 
  • Criminological Theory: CRMJ students will analyze core criminological theories of criminal and deviant behavior and apply them to policy and practice. 
  • Law Enforcement: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of roles, function, and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and practices at each level of government. 
  • Law & the Courts: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and rule of law as well as its limits and applications in the United States as related to the functioning of state and federal court systems. 
  • Corrections: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of roles, function, and effectiveness of correctional agencies and practices at each level of government. 
  • Evidence-Based Prevention: CRMJ students will analyze impact and outcome evaluations and demonstrate knowledge of best practices in crime prevention. 
  • Juvenile Justice: CRMJ students will demonstrate knowledge of the core tenets of the juvenile justice system in the United States.  
  • Oral & Written Communication: CRMJ students will be able to speak and write effectively. 

Sample Degree Plan

Criminal Justice, Comprehensive Major, B.A. 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
POLS 110American National Politics (LE-K2, LE-R3))3
CRMJ 103Survey of the Criminal Justice System (LE-K2)3
Foreign Language 101 - Beginning I (LE-S1) *4
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1) *5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1) *
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (LE-K2)3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology (LE-K2, LE-R1)3
Foreign Language 102 - Beginning II4
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1) Natural Sciences3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR31
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
MATH 246Elementary Statistics (LE-S2) *4
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab4
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
CRMJ 280Criminal Justice Research Methods (LE-S3)3
CRMJ 301Criminology Theory3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C/D **3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts3
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (LE-R2) Global Perspectives3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR29
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
CRMJ 303Crime Prevention3
POLS 301State and Local Politics (LE-K2)3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group B3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
CRMJ 319Police in Society3
CRMJ 342Confinement and Corrections3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR30
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
CRMJ 302Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group B3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1)3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
POLS 405U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C/D3
CRMJ Group Elective - Group A/B/C3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
Elective - Upper-division if needed3
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Required placement test score will determine course eligibility. 

Note 1:  Some CRMJ Group Elective courses meet LE Core outcomes. 

Note 2 :  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

Course Information  
a.  Required placement test score will determine course eligibility.  
b.  MATH 246 fulfills the Statistics requirement in the Criminal Justice curriculum.  
c.  Criminal Justice majors need to earn 21 total credits from the Criminal Justice Group Elective courses, distributed across the following: Group A – Law, Constitution, Policy Area (minimum of 6 credits); Group B – Individual, Social, Political Behavior Area (minimum of 6 credits); Group C – Intervention and Application Area (no minimum or maximum requirement); Group D – Skills Area (maximum of 6 credits).

Group A options:  PHIL 120 (K3, R3); PHIL 310; POLS 305 (K2, R3); POLS 338; POLS 343; POLS 346; POLS 403; POLS 404; POLS 406; SW 100 (I1, R2), SW 383  

Group B options: CRMJ 325, CRMJ 350, CRMJ 359; POLS 329; POLS 350 (DDIV, K2, R1); POLS 353; PSYC 245; PSYC 251; PSYC 331; PSYC 332 (K2, R1); SW 309; SW 385SOC 312 (DDIV, R1); SOC 316 (R1); SOC 321; SOC 332; SOC 351; WGSS 310 (K3, R1).   

Group C options: CRMJ 498 (Service Learning); PSYC 325; PSYC 346; PSYC 357; PSYC 380

Group D options: CJ 111 (DDIV, I1, R1); CJ 201 (K2, S1); CJ 202 (S1); CJ 301 (DDIV, R1, R3); GEOG 280; GEOG 335; PHIL 150  

The following will be applied to specific categories based on content: CRMJ 291; CRMJ 395; CRMJ 397; CRMJ 399; CRMJ 491; CRMJ 499

Additional Information:  
The Criminal Justice program has entered into an Articulation Agreement with the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) 720-hour Law Enforcement Academy. The agreement allows CRMJ majors to obtain their Wisconsin law enforcement certification during their junior or senior year and transfer up to 12 credits back to UWEC; 6 credits will go towards Elective Group C in the CRMJ Program. Majors who are interested in going into law enforcement should consider this option. You must speak with the CRMJ Program Coordinator prior to pursuing this option (Dr. Jason Spraitz – spraitjd@uwec.edu). There are limited seats in the CVTC academy and acceptance is highly competitive and not guaranteed. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) 
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.


CRMJ 498 – Criminal Justice Internship: Completion of an internship is not required, but many students choose to do one. Students must be declared CRMJ majors and be juniors with approximately 30 credits applied to the major. Department consent is required and placement may be competitive. Note: Completion of CRMJ 498 fulfills your 30-hour Service Learning requirement and counts as a CRMJ Group C elective.

Student-Faculty Collaborative Research: Criminal Justice faculty have active research agendas and often include students on their projects. If interested in learning more, speak with your Criminal Justice professors. It’s recommended that you complete CRMJ 103 and CRMJ 280 before participating in research, but not required.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.