Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Van Loan Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Van Loan Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Trauma Studies


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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a 42-course, 126-credit degree. This program educates students to be critical thinkers and understand the operations and impact of the criminal justice field. Core courses in the major allow students to study the criminal justice process; causes of crime and its impact; law enforcement systems; and the legal adjudication procedures and systems. This major prepares students for careers in law enforcement, social services, security businesses, and correctional services. 

Concentration in Trauma Studies

The Trauma Studies Concentration is a 6 course, 18 credit concentration that focuses on issues relevant to individuals working in educational, clinic or social work settings that serve individuals who have experienced trauma. Trauma is unique in that it can be ameliorated or encouraged by social pol- icy, and institutions, as well as individuals. This concentration will give students writing, research and foundational skills in Trauma Studies that they will need to work with veterans, domestic violence victims, refugees, and schools or other work settings that have experienced traumatic events.

This interdisciplinary concentration will focus on the student’s ability to assess risk and engage in critical thinking about trauma and its impact on individuals and society. The coursework will draw from the fields of Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice and Politics.

The Concentration in Trauma Studies will be open to all students enrolled in our BA Program in Liberal Studies and our BS Programs in Psychology, Business Management and Criminal Justice. These concentration courses will replace corresponding open elective credit requirements.

Please note: Completion of the courses and program does NOT lead to any type of licensure or certification.

Program of Study


Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Effectively communicate in writing and through oral communication.
  • Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in intellectual discourse within the criminal justice field
  • Apply lessons and make connections between the General Education curriculum and the study of criminal justice
  • Design, execute, and present a personal project, which synthesizes and applies, selected knowledge, skills and experiences appropriate to the students’ personal and professional goals and/or their chosen area of specialization.
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of criminal justice and criminology, including practical and technical skills and competencies required by many law enforcement agencies and private security firms.

In addition to fulfilling the outcomes of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, students completing the concentration in Trauma Studies will:

  • Comprehend how trauma is an individual, political and cultural issue
  • Assess individual and organizational risk by engaging in critical thinking regarding the impact of trauma on individual and society
  • Prepare students to understand the populations that have experienced trauma and to develop programs that better service populations who have experienced trauma
  • Identify and describe research issues relevant to policy and educational issues that prevent trauma
  • Demonstrate the critical thinking, writing, and research skills that are necessary to participate in the trauma studies field

Required Curriculum


World Cultures Course - 3 cr.
Aesthetic Awareness & Creative Expression Course - 3 cr.
Literary Perspectives Course - 3 cr.
Values & Ethical Reasoning Course - 3 cr.
Science & Technology Courses - 3 cr.
Global Issues Course - 3 cr.
Core Electives - 6 cr. (Must be 300 level or higher)
Criminal Justice Major Electives - 9 cr. 
Open Electives - 24 cr. 

Total Number of Credits Required for Concentration - 18 credits


Total Degree Requirements - 126 credits


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