2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog Department of Criminal Justice Sciences
Admission/Retention Requirements
Admission to this academic program is limited and is based on space availability and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to: courses completed, cumulative GPA, hours completed, personal interview or written statement, and samples of work completed. For additional information on minimum requirements for admission and the application and selection process, visit IllinoisState.edu/Majors or contact the undergraduate advisor for the intended major.
The Department of Criminal Justice Sciences reserves the right to maintain a balanced enrollment.
This may restrict the numbers of freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students who wish to be Criminal Justice Sciences majors.
Most Criminal Justice Sciences courses are restricted to Criminal Justice Sciences majors.
Criminal Justice Sciences majors must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.40 every semester. If, at any given time, a student’s GPA falls below a 2.40 that student may be removed from the major and reclassified as Undeclared. After a student is reclassified as Undeclared, all rights as a major are forfeited, including the right to be eligible to do the Criminal Justice Sciences internship.
Students who have been reclassified must meet regular admission requirements to be eligible for readmission to the major.
Course Finder
Honors in Criminal Justice Sciences
The Honors Program seeks to facilitate customized learning for Honors students in their disciplines by offering the opportunity for students to engage in Honors education and to have Honors Learning Experiences in upper division courses. Honors students may choose to focus their Honors Learning in their major and pursue the Honors in the Major designation, which is awarded at graduation. Learn more about honors in the major at the Honors Program website.
Criminal Justice Sciences
Degrees Offered: B.A. or B.S.
Major in Criminal Justice Sciences
The purpose of the Criminal Justice Sciences program is to provide the student with a system orientation to the field of Criminal Justice. Study in Criminal Justice involves the application of the principles of Criminal Justice and the related behavioral and social sciences to problems and issues in the field of Criminal Justice. The program focuses on the building of knowledge in the areas of policing, courts, and corrections from a social science perspective. Students develop a knowledge base for an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the kinds of problems and circumstances that often result in criminality. Finally, the program provides students with the opportunity to gain necessary skills in the area of interviewing, program development, community organization, planning and research to function in a professional position in the field of Criminal Justice.
Criminal Justice Sciences Sequence
View Criminal Justice Sciences Sequence Course Requirements
Criminal Justice Sciences Accelerated Sequence
High achieving students with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher may apply for admission to the accelerated sequence in the spring of their junior year. This sequence allows students to take up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses that will count for both the undergraduate and graduate program in criminal justice sciences. Students may then apply to the graduate program in the spring semester of their senior year. Enrollment in the Accelerated Sequence does not guarantee final admission into the criminal justice sciences graduate program. To graduate in the accelerated sequence, students must take two courses for graduate credit each semester during their senior year. Students must consult with their advisor prior to the start of each course to receive approval. All Graduate School admission deadlines and policies apply to courses for graduate credit. Students must consult with their advisor prior to the start of each course to receive approval.
View Criminal Justice Sciences Accelerated Sequence Course Requirements
Minor in Criminal Justice Sciences
21 total credit hours required
Take an additional 9 credit hours of CJS electives. CJS 298A50, CJS 398A01 and CJS 398A02 may not be counted in the minor.
Notes
Space in Criminal Justice Sciences courses is limited for non-majors. Please see the department website for specific criteria for admission and retention to the minor.