Criminology and Criminal Justice Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice - Bachelor of Science + Master of Science 2025-26 Degree Map

The following website highlights potential course plans which students may consider when completing their BS and MS degrees in CCJ, under the CCJ Bachelors + Masters program. Both our undergraduate and graduate programs allow considerable flexibility. Students should contact their undergraduate academic advisor to ensure that they are meeting undergraduate graduation requirements, and should meet with their graduate coordinator to ensure that they are meeting graduate-level graduation requirements. Below, you’ll find information about both Bachelors and Masters degree requirements, as well as proposed five-year course plans spanning the duration of the Bachelor’s + Master’s program. 

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree
Requirements (REQ) of a Master’s Degree

Degree Maps & Advising

Degree maps show just one possible course plan for how to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in four years, and a Master of Science degree with one additional year of graduate study. To graduate with a BS in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most undergraduate courses at PSU are 4 credits each, while most graduate courses are 3 credits. Talk with your undergraduate and graduate advisors regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

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Bulletin or Catalog Year

This guide outlines the requirements in the 2025-26 Bulletin. Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

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DARS System  

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

How to Run a DARS about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
CCJ 2004CCJ 2304CCJ 2404
BS Math/Statistics3-4BS Science with Lab3-4BS Science with Lab3-4
General Elective1-2General Elective1-2General Elective1-2
Total Fall Credits14-15Total Winter Credits14-15Total Spring Credits14-15

First Year Tasks: Remember that each undergraduate term needs an average of 15 credits in order to total 180 credits over 4 years. If your science and math classes are fewer credits, you can replace these credits with electives. 

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4CCJ 3XX (310 Recommended)4
BS Science4CCJ Elective4General Elective4
CCJ Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (International/SGRN)3-4General Elective4General Elective (or Honors)4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Second Year Milestones: Math and Science complete (by end of second year).

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
CCJ 3XX (320U Recommended)4CCJ 3XX (380 Recommended)4CCJ 3XX (340 Recommended)4
CCJ 3XX (330U Recommended)4CCJ 317 (RESR)4CCJ 4204
General Elective4General Elective4CCJ Upper Division Elective 4
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Tasks: Meet with CCJ Undergraduate Advisor to ensure you are on track to apply for the CCJ Bachelor’s + Master’s program. Ensure that CCJ 340 and CCJ 380 are on track to be completed this year. Meet with the CCJ Graduate Coordinator to begin application process.

Fourth Year - Bachelor's + Master's Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
CCJ 513 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3CCJ 520 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3CCJ 530 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3
CCJ 515 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3CCJ 525 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3CCJ 510 - Acts as UG Upper Div Elective3
Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6General Elective4General Elective4
General Elective3-4General Elective3General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits14

Fourth Year Milestone: Complete Bachelor’s Degree. Students who meet admission requirements will be automatically admitted into the CCJ master’s program. Students who do not meet these requirements must apply for admission to the master’s degree program without the benefit of B+M shared coursework. 

Fifth Year – Master of Science Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
CCJ 5353CCJ 510 or CCJ Elective3CCJ 510 or 500-level Elective3
CCJ 510 or CCJ Elective3CCJ 510 or 500-level Elective3CCJ 510 or 500-level Elective3
CCJ 5013CCJ 503 or CCJ 5063CCJ 503 or CCJ 5063
Total Fall Credits9Total Winter Credits9Total Spring Credits9

Fifth Year Milestone: Complete Master’s Degree. Student will complete prospectus in Fall term, and will defend thesis or culminating project in Spring term.

Additional Map Notes:

  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (International/SGRN): Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: CCJ 317 counts for the U.S. experience course; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States and must be from the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • CCJ 3XX: CCJ 310, 320, 330, 340, and 380. CCJ 340 and 380 should not be taken concurrently. Either 340 or 380 must be completed prior to applying for Bachelors + Masters program.
  • CCJ 420: Always offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring terms.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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