Crime and Justice Studies Major

Crime and Justice Studies is an innovative new major, grounded in the liberal arts tradition. In the study of Crime and Justice we encourage broad theoretical inquiries on issues of social and criminal justice. These include both questions of critical inquiry (what is crime, what is law and what is justice) as well as comprehensive analyses of structural, institutional, and State violence. This necessitates the study of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism and classism as they relate to the criminal justice system's policies and practices.

This is an interdisciplinary program that draws on a range of resources across the University and provides rigorous intellectual challenges. The program will focus on the social ethical considerations unique to the field of crime and justice, with the goal of giving students new opportunities to combine a university education with enhanced avenues for career advancement and public service.

To successfully complete the program for graduation, all students must:

• Maintain a minimum of 2.5 GPA in the major; beginning in Fall 2009, students entering the major (starting with the class of 2013) must maintain a 2.75 GPA in the major
• Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 overall GPA
• Meet the CJS major requirements
• Complete 30 credits at the 300/400 level (this includes courses in major, excluding Experiential Learning)
• Complete a minimum of 120 credits with at least 45 at UMass Dartmouth
• Complete the General Education requirements of the university
• Complete the distribution requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences