
BA in Social and Criminal Justice
Arm yourself with the knowledge to help keep your community safe. Gain a broad-based approach to working with law enforcement and the criminal justice system when you earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree from the Golden State College. Through this degree, you will develop a thorough understanding of the current social and criminal justice system. Examine topics in criminal investigations, psychology, crime prevention, terrorism, the correctional system, and law.
What is Criminal Justice?
The field of criminal justice is a system put in place by government agencies and institutions that strive to deliver justice to those who have committed crimes, by imposing some form of punishment on them. This system aims to keep citizens safe by helping society maintain social order and controlling crime. The field of criminal justice can be focused on protecting local communities, all the way up to nationwide crimes.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree allows you to investigate both the social and legal sides of working in the criminal justice field. You'll develop an additional understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society. Upon completion of your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you will be able to:
Analyze criminal justice issues within the systems of law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections
Evaluate the application of the social justice principles of equality, solidarity, and human rights toward building a just society
Apply knowledge of cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness to social and criminal justice
Deconstruct the relationship between law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections
Interpret the relationship between social justice and criminal justice
Develop critical perspectives in the study of social and criminal justice by drawing on the fields of criminology, law, philosophy, psychology, science, and sociologyThe Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree allows you to investigate both the social and legal sides of working in the criminal justice field. You'll develop an additional understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society. Upon completion of your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you will be able to:
Analyze criminal justice issues within the systems of law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections
Evaluate the application of the social justice principles of equality, solidarity, and human rights toward building a just society
Apply knowledge of cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness to social and criminal justice
Deconstruct the relationship between law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections
Interpret the relationship between social justice and criminal justice
Develop critical perspectives in the study of social and criminal justice by drawing on the fields of criminology, law, philosophy, psychology, science, and sociology
University Graduation Requirements 41
Major Preparation 3-4
Major Requirements 48
University Electives 27-28
Total 120
University Requirements for Graduation
Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements section of the Policies and Procedures.
The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.
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