Frequently Asked Questions About the Justice Studies Program

The Minor in Justice Studies requires students to take a total of 5 courses (20 credits), each completed with a grade of a C- or better. Students are not allowed to take more than 2 courses from any one department (except for the Justice Studies courses) to count towards their Minor.

The required courses are:
JUST 401 – Intro to Justice Studies
AND 1 OF THE 3 LISTED BELOW:
POLT 407 – Law & Society
POLT 507 – Politics of Crime & Justice Studies
SOC 515 – Introductory Criminology
AND
3 elective courses from the Justice Studies Approved Course List.

2. How do I become a Justice Studies minor?

In order to officially declare Justice Studies as a minor you will need to fill out an “Intent to Minor Form” and submit it to the Justice Studies Program Office in 202 Huddleston. This form can be downloaded from our webpage or you may pick up a hard copy in the Justice Studies Program Office. Once this paperwork has been submitted you are
automatically admitted to the program.

3. What are the requirements for the dual major program in Justice Studies?

The dual major in Justice Studies requires students to take a minimum of 8 courses (32 credits), each completed with a grade of a C- or better. The dual major cannot be declared until after the first major is declared. Students are not allowed to count more than 2 courses from any one department (except for Justice Studies) towards their Dual Major. An unlimited number of Justice Studies dual major courses can be used to satisfy general education requirements.

The required courses are:
JUST 401 – Intro to Justice Studies
JUST 501 – Research Methods
JUST 601 – Internship
JUST 701 – Senior Seminar
AND 1 OF THE 3 LISTED BELOW:
POLT 407 – Law & Society
POLT 507 – Politics of Crime & Justice
SOC 515 – Introductory Criminology
AND
3 elective courses from the Justice Studies Approved Course List.

4. How do I apply to become a dual major in Justice Studies?

In order to officially declare Justice Studies as a dual major you will need to have a GPA of a 2.50 or better and will need to fill out an “Intent to Dual Major Form” and a “Change of Program Form”. These forms will need to be submitted to the Justice Studies Program Office in 202 Huddleston. The Intent Form can be downloaded from our webpage and the Change of Program Form can be downloaded from the Registrar’s Office webpage or you may pick up a hard copy in the Justice Studies Program Office. Once this paperwork has been submitted you are automatically admitted to the program. See Declaring a Major page for complete information and forms.

5. When is the best time to declare?

You may declare a dual major or minor in Justice Studies at anytime. Currently, there is no set deadline to do so.

6. Can I declare Justice Studies as a dual major if I am a freshman?

Yes. Second semester freshman who have declared a first major and have a GPA of a 2.50 or better are eligible to declare Justice Studies.

7. Can I still take Justice Studies courses even if I do not yet meet the GPA requirement?

Yes. If you are planning on declaring Justice Studies but your GPA is not a 2.50 or better you can still take the required courses. As soon as your GPA is a 2.50 or better you can officially declare.

8. What would be the first course(s) that I should take as a minor or dual major?

The courses you should take would be:
JUST 401 – Intro to Justice Studies
AND 1 OF THE 3 LISTED BELOW:
POLT 407 – Law & Society
POLT 507 – Politics of Crime & Justice
SOC 515 – Introductory Criminology

9. Can classes for my first major also count towards the dual major?

Yes. The Justice Studies Program allows you to double count up to two classes towards your first major and the dual major in Justice Studies.

10. Can classes for my major also count towards a minor in Justice Studies?

Yes. The Justice Studies Program allows you to double count up to two classes towards your minor.

11. Can classes from the minor or dual major count towards the General Education requirements?

Yes. An unlimited number of Justice Studies courses can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

12. Do I need an advisor for Justice Studies?

Yes, you will need an advisor for the dual major program. You may choose any Justice Studies faculty member listed on our webpage or you may see any of the advisors listed below:

Debbie Briand - Freshman (0-25 credits earned) & Sophomore’s (26-57 credits earned)
202-E Huddleston Hall - PH: 862-1716 – Email: dlb@cisunix.unh.edu

Donna Perkins – Juniors (58-89 credits earned)
206-A Huddleston Hall – PH: 862-7012 – Email: Donna@cisunix.unh.edu

Ellen Cohn – Seniors (90 or more credits earned)
202-F Huddleston Hall – PH: 862-3197 – Email: ellen.cohn@unh.edu

13. Where do I find the Justice Studies Approved Course List?

This list can be found on our course offerings page. It is a good idea to download this list at the beginning of each semester as it is updated regularly.

14. What is the difference between JUST 601 and JUST 602?

JUST 601 is the traditional internship in which students work 12-15 hours per week in an applied setting, attend a weekly practicum meeting, read assigned articles and write paper assignments. This course is under the supervision of Professor Robert Eckstein.

JUST 602 is a research internship in which students work on research 12-15 hours per week, read assigned articles, meet regularly with a Justice Studies faculty advisor, and write a paper.

15. Can JUST 601 be taken before JUST 401 and JUST 501?

No. JUST 401 is usually taken during your freshman or sophomore years and JUST 501 is usually taken during your sophomore or junior years. JUST 601 is reserved for seniors but, if there is space, juniors may take this course with the permission of Professor Robert Eckstein.

16. Do I have to take JUST 501 for a dual major if I've taken another Research Methods course?

Yes. JUST 501 (Research Methods) involves a focus on three kinds of research: quantitative, qualitative and legal. It is unlikely you have had a research methods course that covers all three areas.

17. What does the JUST 701 seminar entail?

JUST 701 will vary depending on who is teaching. This course is writing intensive.

Some examples of the seminar topics that have been offered are:

Bullying in Schools
Great Legal Cases in History
Law & Religion in America
Mediation
Native American Religions and the Law
Organizational Leadership in Justice Studies
Understanding Sexual & Intimate Partner Violence
Law and Justice at the Founding
Child Custody
Youth Violence

18. What will I be prepared to do with a dual major in Justice Studies?

The dual major will prepare you for graduate school in Justice Studies, Legal Studies, and Criminology and for Law School. In addition, those of you doing the traditional internship JUST 601 will be prepared for a career in the Justice Field, including Corrections, Probation, Police, Victim Witness, and law-related areas.

19. Who can I talk to if my goal is to go on to law school?

You would want to schedule an appointment with a Pre-Law Advisor. See the Pre-Law Advising Website for more information.

20. What is the master's program in Justice Studies?

The Master of Arts degree program in Justice Studies provides a broad understanding of justice while supporting in-depth inquiry into specific questions and interests. It utilizes a multidisciplinary approach and draws on content from eleven different departments. The program provides flexibility for students who seek to tailor their graduate experience toward a specific interest within the expertise of our faculty. Our students study with interested, challenging, and committed graduate students across the university as well as work closely with a faculty with established reputations as scholars, teachers, and practitioners. Program requirements include a common core, a research core, a concluding course leading to either a thesis or a culminating project, and electives. The 36 credit program can be completed in one calendar year of full-time study.

21. How do I apply to the master's program?

You may contact the Justice Studies Program Office for an application or you may apply directly through the Graduate School. Online applications are also available through the Graduate School webpage.

22. Can I apply for early admission as a senior?

Yes, you may do so through the Graduate School. Please see below for the guidelines:

Early Admission is a Special Program for UNH Seniors Only
• Admission to Grad School prior to completing bachelor's degree (minimum of 3.2 cumulative undergraduate gpa required).
• Remain a bachelor's degree student until bachelor's is awarded.
• Eligible to Take Two Graduate Courses (up to 8 credits)
• Courses must be graduate level (800/900 level).
• Courses may be taken for graduate only or dual credit.
• 700 Level course exception (12 credits outside of graduate major).

Restrictions
• Must maintain 3.2 gpa* while a bachelor's degree candidate in order to enroll in graduate courses.
• Must complete a bachelor's degree as planned.
• Must pass courses taken for graduate credit with a grade of B- or better.
*If the 3.2 undergraduate gpa is not maintained, or the bachelor's degree is not received, or the prerequisite grades are not received, the offer of admission is withdrawn.

Advantages
• Up to 8 credits toward master's degree can be completed prior to receiving the bachelor's degree.
• No additional tuition (direct financial aid).

23. What are the application deadlines for the master's program?

Summer (August Classes Only) *
March 1st - for Financial Aid
April 1st - no Financial Aid

Fall
April 1st

Spring
December 1st

* Typically full time students start in the summer (August only).

24. What can I do with a master's degree when I graduate?

A Master’s Degree in Justice Studies will help you to become a competitive candidate for jobs in the justice field. Our recent graduates have gone on to become Police Officers, Crime Data Analyst for Police Departments, Juvenile Parole & Probation Positions and work within the Court System or in Legal Firms. Other students have gone on to Law School or to Ph.D. Programs. See our Career Planning page.