Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security


Lisa S. Nored, Director
601.266.4509

Balamurugan, Bertram, Carlan, Chism, Gulledge, Hill, Johnson, Scheer, Thompson

The School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security offers specialized coursework for students interested in federal, state and local careers in the criminal or juvenile justice systems (such as corrections, courts, homeland security, juvenile justice, law enforcement, private security, probation and parole and a host of other government settings). The criminal justice curriculum also provides excellent preparation for graduate school and/or law school. The school offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in forensics. Students may also choose a BA degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in juvenile justice. Within the forensics program, students may choose emphasis areas in anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, criminal justice, physics, or polymer science. The school also offers minors in both criminal justice and forensic science.

BA in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice requires completion of the University general education curriculum and a minimum of 51 hours of criminal justice coursework (to include CJ 200 , CJ 325 , CJ 330 , CJ 341 , CJ 352 , CJ 360 , CJ 420 , CJ 430 , CJ 433 , CJ 435 CJ 445  and CJ 482 ). Additional degree requirements include ENG 333 , PHI 151  or REL 131 , three hours of a social science (ANT 101 , SOC 101 , GHY 101 , PS 101 ) and six hours of one foreign language. The School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security requires its majors to complete a minor in a separate academic discipline selected with an eye to enhancing occupational opportunities and marketability. The school endeavors through individual advisement to identify the best minor area of study for each student’s professional development.

BA in Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in juvenile justice requires completion of the University general education curriculum and a minimum of 51 hours of criminal justice coursework (to include CJ 200 , CJ 325 , CJ 330 , CJ 341 , CJ 360 , CJ 364 , CJ 420 , CJ 430 , CJ 433 , CJ 445 , CJ 460 , CJ 461 , CJ 463  and CJ 482 ). Additional degree requirements include ENG 333 , PHI 151  or REL 131 , three hours of a social science (ANT 101 , SOC 101 , GHY 101 , PS 101 ) and six hours of one foreign language. The juvenile justice emphasis requires completion of a minor in a related discipline such as psychology, child and family studies, foreign language or other discipline.

Minor in Criminal Justice

Students pursuing a minor in criminal justice must complete a minimum of 18 hours in criminal justice, including CJ 200 . The field practicum (CJ 400 ) cannot be applied to the minor.

BS in Forensics

The forensics program at The University of Southern Mississippi is broad-based and designed using the recommendations of the Technical Work Group on Education and Training in Forensic Science (TWGED). The program provides graduates with the knowledge base required to become highly skilled crime scene investigators and crime laboratory technicians. Graduates are well-versed in the relevant science, law and courtroom procedures required for successful careers.

The bachelor’s degree in forensic science is designed to:

  1. develop critical thinking skills;
  2. develop problem-solving skills;
  3. develop expertise regarding crime scenes, physical evidence, the interface between law and science, ethics and professional responsibility, and of quality assurance;
  4. develop expertise in forensic toxicology, drug identification, arson, explosives and crime scene documentation; and
  5. develop skills necessary to understand the legal environment and to testify effectively in legal proceedings.

The forensics program provides education for students pursuing careers as forensic investigators, crime laboratory technicians, or graduate school.

The BS in forensics degree program includes emphases in criminal justice, anthropology, biological sciences, and chemistry and biochemistry. The Bachelor of Science in forensics degree with emphasis in criminal justice is designed for students who wish to pursue employment as crime scene investigators. Emphases in anthropology, biological science, and chemistry and biochemistry are designed for students who pursue employment in public and private laboratory environments.

Minor in Forensic Science

Students pursuing a minor in forensic science must complete a minimum of 18 hours in the field, including FSC 140  and FSC 140L  and FSC 141 . The remaining eleven hours of forensic science courses must be chosen from an approved list of 300- and 400-level classes. Please contact the school for more details.

Programs

    Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceNon-degree