Program Overview

Students AJThe Department of Administration of Justice offers courses in Administration of Justice (AJ) and Military Science (MSCI) and an undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Administration of Justice. A minor in Administration of Justice is offered for students pursuing undergraduate degrees or majors in other departments where they are required to declare a minor. The Department of Administration of Justice also offers the minor in Military Science. Interested students may obtain information from the department office located on the fourth floor of the Public Affairs Building. The Department of Administration of Justice initiated a M.S. degree in Administration of Justice in Fall 2007 and a Ph.D. in Administration of Justice in Fall 2008.

Program Mission

The mission of the Department of Administration of Justice is to educate students for careers and community service within a diverse urban environment through the development of specialized knowledge and skills needed for effective public service. The Department strives to prepare students not only with facts and concepts, but also, more importantly, to think critically and ethically in applying knowledge to related problems and challenging situations. The curriculum presents subjects designed to develop competence for employment and for leadership roles for students planning careers in the judiciary, law enforcement, parole and probation, corrections, institutional services, security administration, homeland security, and other related career areas.

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Admission Criteria

Students wishing to pursue the undergraduate degree offered through the Department must first gain admission to the University. They must satisfy ASSET requirements, eradicate identified deficiencies, and declare Administration of Justice as their major. To declare a major in Administration of Justice, students must have an earned overall GPA of 2.00 or better and have completed the following four courses with grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-” are unacceptable): POLS 231 (American Political Systems I), POLS 232 (American Political Systems II), ENG 131 (Freshman English I), and ENG 132 (Freshman English II). Once admitted to the Department, students are each assigned an Academic Advisor who must approve all class schedules. They must also keep the Department Office informed of current addresses and telephone numbers prior to graduation.

Students wishing to pursue the B.S. in Administration of Justice are cautioned that a prior criminal conviction may be used to deny access or placement in various jobs in the criminal justice system, especially those related to the judiciary, law enforcement, detention, and corrections, even when the degree has been earned. Requirements for the B.S. in Administration of Justice are specified, in detail, below. As first-time degree seekers, students are required to declare a minor in a second academic discipline either through the Department or through another department for graduation. Grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-” are unacceptable) must be earned in all major and minor courses required for graduation. Additionally, in selecting minors, students should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors because the selection of a minor having representative courses in the core curriculum for the degree of choice could impact the total number of credits required.

For a minor in Administration of Justice, twenty-one (21) semester credit hours are required. The following courses (3 semester credit hours each) must be taken: AJ 105, AJ 211, AJ 220, and AJ 240. In addition, nine (9) 300-level or 400- level semester credits must be earned as electives along with the four courses identified. For a minor in Military Science, twenty-one (21) semester credit hours are required. To qualify for this minor, twelve (12) credit hours must be taken in 300-to-400-level courses. Nine (9) credit hours must be completed in residency, and six (6) of the nine (9) must be in 300-to-400-level courses. Students may receive credit for 100-200-level courses based upon prior military training, completion of ROTC Basic Camp, completion of JROTC training, or completion of one year at a service academy.

For further information, please contact:
JASMINE M. DRAKE, Ph.D.
Interim Department Chair & Associate Professor
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS BLDG SUITE 420
Email me
713-313-4314
Department: Administration of Justice