Double Major in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

Program Information

The Double Major in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies is a single, coordinated pathway for highly motivated students who can follow a structured term-by-term plan. Students complete the core requirements and designated upper-division electives in both programs, with limited, advisor-approved substitutions to avoid duplication.

Because of the intensity of this option, elective choices outside the two majors are significantly limited. Entry requires at least a 3.25 overall GPA, along with a readiness review with faculty mentors and advisors, and a final Department approval. Students should declare the double major after earning at least 45 credits and before earning 75 credits to remain on track. An internship is the preferred culminating experience (CCJ 4939 Senior Seminar may be substituted by approval).

This double major pathway develops integrated legal reasoning and justice-system expertise for competitive career outcomes, such as prosecutor, federal law enforcement agent, court administrator, criminal defense lawyer, as well as related roles in investigations, compliance, and policy analysis. For planning and approval, please contact your program advisors and faculty mentors.

Curriculum at a Glance

General Studies Requirements & Lower Level Electives— 54 sh

Lower-Level Program Prerequisites (6 sh):

• CCJ 2002 Survey of Crime and Justice
• PLA 2013Survey of American Law

Core Requirements (36 sh):

• CCJ 3014 Criminology
• CCJ 4700 Research Design in Criminal Justice
• CJC 4010 Corrections
• CJE 4110 Policing
• CJL 3510 Courts (substitutes for PLA 4024 Civil Procedure)
• CCJ 4940 Criminal Justice Internship (or CCJ 4939 Senior Seminar by advisor approval)
• PLA 3106 Legal Research and Writing
• PLA 3429 Contract Law
• PLA 4155 Legal Advocacy
• PLA 4277 Tort Law
• PLA 4306 Criminal Law
• PLA 4885 Constitutional Law

Program Electives (24 sh)