The Individualized Major in Criminal Justice

The individualized major in Criminal Justice has become a popular option for students interested in a career in the criminal justice system. The individualized criminal justice is comprised of 28 semester hours to include the following:

Prerequisite:

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

• CRJ 260 Criminal Justice System

Required Courses:

• SOC 301 Classical Sociological Theory
• SOC 304 Research Methods I (4 Credits)
• CRJ 360 Criminology
• CRJ 367 Law and Society
• CRJ 390 Courtroom Justice
• CRJ 490 Internship (3-6 Credits)

Optional Courses:

• SOC 313 Social Deviance
• SOC 345 Environmental Justice
• SOC 390 Criminal Law and Procedure

(offered through The College of Continuing and Professional Education)

• CRJS 361 The Criminal Offender
• CRJS 362 Juvenile Delinquency
• CRJS 374 Criminal Investigations

Other courses may be added with the permission of the Department Chair.

Students wishing to develop an individualized major must form a supervisory committee of two departmental faculty members and the associate dean. The student must complete a proposal, subject to the committee’s approval, which will be submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean of CLA for final approval.

Guidelines for the Preparation of Proposals for Individualized Criminal Justice Majors

1. It should state the candidate's academic standing and certify his eligibility for the individual major program, including a brief but specific summary of work completed, with hours and grades earned, and overall grade-point standing.
2. The focus and objectives of the special major should be spelled out carefully in at least one substantial paragraph. The candidate should state how and why the individual major is for him for desirable than a standard Mercer major most nearly related to his disciplinary field.
3. The proposal should indicate what the candidate's further academic and career plans and goals are, and how the proposed study program relates to them.
4. If the proposal contemplates work taken out of residence, it should state rather specifically why the work is to be taken in the proposed setting, and justify the specific appropriateness of the other institution or location, and of each course, if any, which will be offered for transfer. If consent of and transient admission to another college are involved, the proposal should state that agreements have been formalized in that connection.
5. The proposal should have the written consent of the faculty members who are to serve as the supervisory committee, and should indicate which of these three will serve as the chairman for purposes of communication and coordination. The proposal should be dated, and should contain the signature as well as the typed name and mailing address of the applying candidate.