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Shane Thye, Interim Chair

Patricia Armstrong, Director of Academic Programs

Overview

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree program provides students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and the social sciences. The department fosters a program of study that has a strong research emphasis and encourages public service. Courses offered through the department focus on problem-solving and critical thinking, which provide students with the skills necessary to understand and interpret the scientific literature, access emerging technologies in the field, and understand emerging issues in criminology and criminal justice. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.cas.sc.edu/crju.

Degree Offered

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a four-year program of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in criminology and criminal justice. The degree requirements are based upon a strong foundation in the liberal arts and the social sciences. An array of professional criminal justice courses is offered to support the particular interests of various students. Students also are encouraged to participate in community service activities. Pursuant to this, the department provides information on opportunities for volunteer work and involvement in the criminal justice field.

Criminology and criminal justice majors who have completed 90 hours with a GPA of 3.50 are eligible for the accelerated degree program. Students in the accelerated program may take up to 9 hours of credit at the 700 level which will count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Entrance Requirements

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice follows the general admission policies of the University. Should there be more applicants for the degree program than the number of spaces available, admission decisions will be competitive and may take into account the applicant’s grade point average as well as other factors deemed indicative of the student’s potential for success in the program.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from other institutions, other USC campuses, or other degree programs must have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and a semester GPA of 2.00 in the last semester enrolled. Official transcripts of all academic work must be sent to the admissions office. These transcripts will be evaluated by the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice for possible transfer credits. Only collegiate courses completed at accredited institutions will be considered, and  transfer credit will be approved only where an analysis of the course level and content indicates that the work is appropriate for inclusion in a program of study offered by the department.

Progression Requirements

Students in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice are expected to make timely progress toward a baccalaureate degree. To facilitate this, the department’s undergraduate program is divided into upper and lower divisions.

1. Lower-division students are those who have earned fewer than 60 semester hours toward the degree or who do not meet admission requirements to the upper division. Lower-division students may, with permission, enroll in upper-division criminal justice (CRJU) courses, which include all CRJU courses numbered 300 and above.
2. Admission to the upper division is based upon a minimum 2.00 cumulative USC GPA; completion of CRJU 101, 202, and 203 with grades of C or higher; completion of 60 hours or more toward the degree, including all general education requirements necessary to satisfy all University core requirements; and formal approval of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Office of Academic Programs.
3. Criminal justice courses in which majors make less than a grade of C must be repeated.

Criminology and Criminal Justice

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