Criminal Justice B.A.
Overview
Department of Criminal Justice
Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, Room 209
(909) 537-5506 http://criminaljustice.csusb.edu/
Bachelor of Arts
Criminal Justice
Paralegal Studies
Minor
Criminal Justice
Paralegal Studies
Certificate Programs
Criminal Justice
Paralegal Studies
A system of criminal justice must meet the needs of each citizen as well as the needs of complex social, economic and governmental institutions. The Bachelor of Arts degree program in criminal justice was developed with these needs in mind and is appropriate for both career-bound preservice students and inservice personnel in law enforcement, probation, parole, corrections, social service agencies and related areas.
In addition, the program is designed to provide students with an appropriate academic background for continuing their graduate studies in criminal justice, criminology or other areas such as law.
The criminal justice major is an interdisciplinary program with enough flexibility to permit students to pursue their own interests. For example, students wishing to emphasize law enforcement may select appropriate courses within the major. Students directed toward probation, parole or corrections work are advised to select courses accordingly.
The paralegal studies option and certificate program are designed to prepare and qualify students for employment as paralegals in the private and public sectors. As such they provide opportunities for a variety of individuals to become acquainted with the field of law. A paralegal is essentially a legal assistant who works under the supervision of a lawyer and functions as a vital member of a law office team. Such paraprofessional positions have been created by many public and private agencies, and government law offices to help meet the increasing demands for their services.
Paralegal work involves doing legal research, interviewing clients, representing clients before some administrative agencies, assisting in the drafting and interpreting of legal documents and participating in various other paraprofessional activities. Those with an interest in legal studies will find the program rewarding as an introduction to the area of legal studies or as an in-depth study of some one aspect of law.
For more information visit our website. Department of Criminal Justice
Please refer to the University catalog at http://catalog.csusb.edu for official information.