College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Undergraduate
Dean: Thomas G. Blomberg
Florida State University has one of the oldest criminology programs in the world. The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at FSU is an intellectual community where students are involved in and learn about advancing criminological research that links science and theory to matters of effective and responsible public policy. The College values scholarly collaboration and emphasizes the importance of research that has real-world implications.
At Florida State University, the discipline of criminology and criminal justice is viewed broadly as encompassing the scientific study of crime, criminals, the lawmaking process, the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and the treatment of offenders. The program is interdisciplinary and integrative in nature, drawing upon many different disciplines and paradigms for theoretical and methodological approaches. Among these disciplines are anthropology, biology, computer science, demography, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, social work, sociology, and urban studies.
The College's programs focus both on theory and on practice in the belief that neither stands alone. Sound practice demands sound theory, and theories are developed and modified through careful study as they are put into practice. Based on this perspective, the undergraduate programs prepare individuals for a career in the criminal justice system, a related field, or additional study at the graduate level in criminology or law.
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in criminology, and in cyber criminology; Master of Science (MS); Master of Arts (MA); and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A combined bachelor's/master's pathway is offered for qualified criminology and criminal justice students. A distance-learning Master of Science degree program in criminal justice studies is available. Also available are joint graduate pathways with the School of Public Administration and Policy and the College of Social Work. A distance learning Bachelor of Science degree program in criminology is available.
Students in the College have an important opportunity for hands-on experience that is afforded by the College's internship program. The University's location in Tallahassee gives students access to extensive research and employment opportunities in various state and federal courts as well as several state correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, a federal prison, and a variety of private sector institutions and organizations. The Legislature, governor, cabinet, attorney general, and the Florida Departments of Corrections, Probation/Parole, and Law Enforcement are located in Tallahassee. Study in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice provides access to criminological facilities that match or exceed any in the nation.
University Requirements
All students of Florida State University must fulfill the Liberal Studies Program requirements set forth in the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" chapter of this General Bulletin. Transfer students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public community college or state university will be considered to have met the liberal studies requirement.
Academic Performance and Retention
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice reserves the right to discontinue enrollment of any student in the College at any time if satisfactory academic progress is not being made. Specifically, students majoring in criminology must earn a grade of "C" or better in the three core courses and maintain a major GPA of 2.0. A student who has accumulated three unsatisfactory grades, (D+, D, D–, F, U, IE) in criminology and criminal justice courses taken for college credit at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be readmitted, permitted to continue, or permitted to graduate with a major in criminology or criminal justice.
Students majoring in cyber criminology must earn a "C" or better in core courses CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, and CCJ 4700 and a grade of "C–" or better in all other courses for the major, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. Students with more than four grades below "C–" (D+, D, D–, F, U, IE) in criminology, criminal justice, computer science, or prerequisite coursework, whether taken at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be permitted to continue in the major.
A student who applies for readmission to the College must meet the major and degree requirements of the General Bulletin in effect on the date of readmission.
Major Requirements for Criminology
To major in criminology, a student must complete thirty-six semester hours in criminology and/or criminal justice studies coursework, including three core courses. The three core courses are Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 2020), Criminology (CCJ 3011), and Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology (CCJ 4700). Two core courses (CCJ 3011 and CCJ 4700) are expected to be taken at Florida State University; CCJ 2020 may be taken at the community college level. A minimum grade of "C" must be obtained in each core course. For acceptable core course substitutions, see the department for an approved list. An optional one-semester, full-time (fifteen semester hour) or part-time (eight semester hour) internship is available. If a student chooses to complete a full or part-time internship, only three semester hours will count toward the required thirty-six hours in the major. Students in the major are required to complete either a full-time internship, a minor, or second major in another department or program outside the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and must meet all requirements stipulated by the respective department or program. If a student is completing a dual degree, a minor or full-time internship is not required.
For students transferring from another four-year university, at least twenty-seven semester hours must be earned at Florida State University in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice; the University requires that the last thirty semester hours prior to graduation be taken at Florida State University. In addition, all University requirements must be met for either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
Major Requirements for Cyber Criminology
To major in cyber criminology, a student must complete fifty-two semester hours in criminology and criminal justice, computer science, and mathematics. Students must complete 13 hours of prerequisite coursework for the major with a "C–" or higher prior to entering the major. Prerequisite courses include MAC 1105, MAC 1114, MAC 1140, and MAC 2311. Students will need a minimum of MAC 2311 to complete the math requirement. Students must complete twenty-four hours in criminology and criminal justice and twenty-five hours in computer science coursework, including eight core courses. The required core courses from criminology and criminal justice are CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, CCJ 4700, and CJE 3110. The required core courses from computer science are CDA 3100, COP 3014, COP 3330, and COP 3353. A total of six hours of capstone coursework representing criminology and criminal justice and computer science is required. Students must also complete three hours of Discrete Mathematics (MAD 2104). From an approved list, students must choose nine additional hours in criminology and criminal justice and twelve additional hours in computer science coursework. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, and CCJ 4700, a "C–" or better in all other courses for the major, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. A minor is not required.
For students transferring from another four-year university, transfer courses within the major are evaluated on an individual basis; the University requires the last thirty semester hours prior to graduation be taken at Florida State University. In addition, all University requirements must be met for either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
Approved criminology and criminal justice and computer science courses include: CCJ 3644, CCJ 3666, CCJ 4497, CCJ 4614, CJC 3010, CJE 4610, CJJ 4010, CJL 3510, CJL 4064.
Internships
A variety of internships is available at the local, state, and federal levels. Internships can be chosen from the fields of law enforcement, courts, corrections, criminal justice planning, criminological research, and private sector opportunities. The internship is available for juniors and seniors who have completed the core courses (CCJ 2020, 3011, 4700). The intern receives a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grade, and full credit is given upon successful completion of both the academic component and the work hours.
Students are advised that information pertaining to all matters of public record, such as arrests and convictions, may be required by the agencies accepting interns. Although a reasonable effort is made to place a student in an internship, the University will not be liable if a student cannot be placed. Students are responsible for all living and transportation expenses during the field experiences.
Minor Requirements
A minor in criminology may be obtained upon completion of four classes. Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 2020) and nine additional semester hours in criminology and criminal justice are required for a total of twelve hours. CCJ 2020 may be taken at the community college level prior to admission to Florida State University. Students cannot take CCJ 4905r (Directed Individual Study), CCJ 4933r (Seminar in Criminology), or CCJ 4938r (Special Topics in Criminology) to fulfill the minor. Grades of "C–" or better are required for all coursework in the minor.
Specialized Studies in Criminology
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a specialized studies program in criminology and criminal justice and victim services.
Honors in the Major
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice encourages eligible students to participate in the honors in the major program. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a combined bachelor's/master's pathway (BS/MS). This pathway provides eligible undergraduate students the opportunity to take up to twelve semester hours of graduate coursework (with the permission of the appropriate instructor). These twelve semester hours may count toward both the BS and MS degrees.
Combined Pathway Requirements
Participants in the combined BS/MS pathway must:
- Have completed ninety semester hours of undergraduate coursework
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.25
- Be a major/double major in the College
- Take the GRE and earn a score between 148 and 160
- Meet with an academic advisor to determine eligibility for the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
Note: Enrollment in the combined bachelor's/master's pathway does not guarantee acceptance to the graduate program in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students must still apply to the graduate program and meet all graduate requirements to earn the master's degree. Effective August 2011, the GRE Revised General Test replaced the GRE General Test. To learn more about this new test, go to http://www.ets.org/gre.
Student Activities
Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society of students in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students with a declared criminology/criminal justice major or minor. To become a member, a student must have completed one third of the total hours required for graduation at his or her institution. The local chapter advisor or faculty member must recommend the student. Undergraduate students must maintain a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.2 in their criminology and criminal justice courses. Students must also rank in the top thirty-five percent of their class and have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminology and criminal justice curriculum. Graduate students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.4 in all courses.
The American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon is devoted to continuing high levels of professionalism in all areas of criminal justice. Any student committed to the field of criminal justice is invited to participate. The chapter holds regular meetings to provide members opportunities to exchange ideas and information. The Lambda Chapter of ACJA has much to offer students, including a pistol team, a crime scene team, and an academic team.
Scholarships, Awards, and Financial Aid
There are several scholarships available to students majoring in criminology and criminal justice or in cyber criminology. The online application can be found at https://criminology.fsu.edu/degrees/undergraduate-programs/scholarships. A committee appointed by the Dean selects the recipients.
Undergraduate scholarships and awards include: Frank A. and Lynn W. Baker, The Crockett Family Fund for Excellence, Eugene and Rosalind Czajkoski, Corey D. Dahlem, Gregory D. Ereckson Memorial, Jerry A. and Carolyn S. Glass, Kelley R. Ivey, Ernest Kearns Ponce De Leon, Florida Sheriffs' Association Memorial, Relgalf, James C. Sweat, Frederick Simon Family Memorial, Doyle E. Young Endowed Memorial, Sgt. Daniel "Dale" Green Memorial, and Rob Williams. In addition, the Robert L. Clark Memorial Award, Joe Harris Memorial Award, and The Florida Sheriffs Association Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship are presented yearly to outstanding graduate students.