Minor Options

The justice studies program offers two minor options, the Justice Studies Minor and the Forensics Minor.

Justice Studies Minor

The Justice Studies Minor is intended for students who are looking for careers in the justice system but do not have the time in their academic schedule to complete the dual major program.

Program Requirements

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.

For example: if you take POLT 507 or SOC 515 you will now only be allowed to take 1 more Political Science or 1 more Sociology course to count as 1 elective course.

Required Courses

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

AND

Three elective courses from the Justice Studies Approved Course List.

See our Course Offerings page for the list of approved courses

Forensics Minor

Beginning in the Fall of 2012, the Justice Studies Program will be offering a new Minor in Forensics! The Forensics Minor will provide students with the opportunity to explore the different components of forensics through the interdisciplinary study of biology, psychology, sociology, and justice studies. This well-rounded curriculum will enable students to build upon their interests in justice studies by specializing in an area of increasing importance. Students must receive a grade of C or better for a course to count toward the minor requirements. Once students have decided to pursue the minor, they are required to meet with the coordinator, academic counselor or appropriate affiliated faculty advisor at least once per semester for regular review and assessment of their program, learning outcomes, and progress towards the degree.

Required Courses

The Forensics Minor requires five courses (20 credits) drawn from a list of approved courses. The five courses include:

Two Introductory Courses:
JUST 401 - Intro to Justice Studies
BIOL 420 - Intro to Forensic Science

AND

Three Additional Courses from the list below:

JUST 405 - Technology, Crime & Society
* PSYC 591 - Forensic Psychology
SOC 515 - Intro to Criminology
SOC 535 - Homicide

* If PSYC 591 is not being offered you may take PSYC 755 (Psychology and Law) OR PSYC 756 (Psychology of Crime and Justice) in its place.