2021-2022

Interdisciplinary Studies - Justice Studies 90-30, Bachelor

Public Administration and Justice Studies

Online, Statewide, and Education Innovation

The courses offered in the Justice Studies program are designed to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation from which they can address current issues facing the criminal justice field. The skills focused on in the different emphasis areas (Criminal Justice Administration or Intelligence Studies) have been purposefully selected to enable students to succeed as a criminal justice practitioner and leader, enhance employment and career opportunities, and for those in the Intelligence Studies emphasis, prepare students to work in the intelligence field.  
 
Emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration: This emphasis is offered at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, NAU-North Valley, Yuma, and Online.

Students pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and pursue a variety of assignments. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration will provide a pathway for moving into a leadership position or a specialty assignment.
 
Emphasis in Intelligence Studies: This emphasis is only offered Online. 

Students pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will be prepared to enter a career in the criminal justice field and work in the intelligence and homeland security areas. For those currently working in the criminal justice field, an emphasis in Intelligence Studies will provide a pathway for moving into intelligence-led policing, leading intelligence groups or other intelligence-related assignments within the criminal justice field. 

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Intelligence Studies - Emphasis
  • Criminal Justice Administration - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 30 units of Justice Specialization Requirements
  • Completion of Computer Literacy, Communication Skills, and Science of Language Requirements.

  • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Students may transfer up to 90 units of community college and/or university credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher education. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Optional
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The Interdisciplinary Studies, 90-30 in Justice Studies provides online and distance-learning students with a professional, criminal justice-focused education that prepares students to ethically work and lead in the fields of criminal justice and intelligence. The 90-30 degree plan is ideal for students who have completed a number of credit hours at the community college or university level, and are looking to finish their degree in a relatively short amount of time. The program's accelerated course format, as well as course offerings throughout the calendar year, allows students to achieve this goal.
 
To help students reach their education and career goals, all Justice Studies faculty have advanced degrees and extensive experience in the criminal justice or intelligence fields, specializing in areas, such as criminal justice investigations, police leadership, community policing, drug investigations, federal law enforcement, corrections, intelligence-led policing, military intelligence, cyber crime, and the law.
 
Students complete core courses in ethics, leadership, criminal justice, criminology, the justice system, and effective writing. They then move on to tailoring their degree to their individual interests by selecting elective courses in criminal justice administration or intelligence studies.
 

Emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration
The emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration ensures students develop an in-depth knowledge of their areas of interest within the criminal justice system as well as an understanding of the current, critical issues impacting the criminal justice field. This emphasis also helps students use critical thinking to connect theoretical concepts with practical criminal justice situations; a necessary skill for practitioners to succeed in the criminal justice field.

Emphasis in Intelligence Studies
The emphasis in intelligence studies focuses on preparing students to identify, analyze and disseminate intelligence information for the purpose of investigating all forms of criminal activity. In addition, the courses within this emphasis expose students to a variety of contemporary topics in the intelligence field. Upon completion of this course of study, students will have the skills to transition into professional intelligence careers at the local, state or federal level.
 
In addition to working in the criminal justice field, many graduates choose to build upon their critical thinking, criminal justice and leadership courses by pursuing advanced degrees in criminal justice, leadership or the law.

Justice Studies Program Learning Outcomes

Justice Studies Program Learning Objectives:

  • Effective Writing: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, in writing, by identifying scholarly and credible research and using this information to present logical, written arguments in favor of or in opposition to specific policies.
  • Critical Thinking: Thoroughly analyze evidence and research, and logically apply such information when forming arguments and drawing conclusions.
  • Application of Theory to Practice: Demonstrate the ability interpret applicable theories and use such theories to address practical issues.  
  • Ethics: Describe the ethical issues impacting the criminal justice or intelligence fields, and offer logical, well-supported solutions for addressing such issues. 
  • Leadership: Demonstrate the ability to use leadership theories to address practical situations in the criminal justice or intelligence field. 
  • Current Issues: Demonstrate an understanding of the current issues impacting the criminal justice or intelligence field, critically analyze such issues in consideration of the current social and political issues, and propose evidence-based solutions to address such issues.
  • Job Opportunities: Demonstrate an understanding of the job opportunities and necessary qualifications for employment in a specific area within the criminal justice or intelligence field, and assess your readiness to pursue employment in at least one area of the field. 
Students pursuing an Emphasis in Justice Administration will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of an area within the criminal justice field, as well as ability to provide a detailed summary of the current issues impacting this area of criminal justice field. 
Students pursuing an Emphasis in Intelligence Studies will be able to:
  • Identify and critically analyze intelligence so it can be used to address issues related to crime and/or public or private sector security.

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • To be admitted to the 90-30 program in Justice Studies you must have completed or be in the process of completing JUS 110 and JUS 120 or their equivalent.
Liberal Studies Requirement
    • Students who have completed the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) from an Arizona public or tribal community college, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), or California State University General Education (CSUGE) from a California public community college are considered to have satisfied NAU’s Liberal Studies Distribution Blocks and Foundation requirements as well as the US Ethnic and Global Diversity requirements.
    • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.
Transfer Block
  • Students may transfer up to 90 units of community college and/or university credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher education.

Major Requirements
  • This major requires 54 to 55 units distributed as follows:

    • Justice Studies Specialization: 9 units
    • Select one emphasis: 21 units
      • Criminal Justice Administration
      • Intelligence Studies
    • Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements: 24 to 25 units
      • Communication Requirement: 6 units
      • Foreign Language or Science Requirement: 18 to 19 units


    Take the following 30 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:

    Justice Studies Specialization

  • All coursework in the Specialization Areas must be upper-division and from Northern Arizona University. Substitutions and use of credit from other institutions are not allowed in the Specialization.

    Multi-use of coursework is not permitted within the Major Requirements. Major Requirements include Specialization, Communication, Computer Literacy, Language and Science.


  • Emphasis Requirement ( Select One): 
     


  • OR
Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements
    • Communication Requirements (6 units)
      • Select 6 units in the following two categories. 
        • Performance-based courses, select one from the following (3 units)
        • CST 111, CST 311, CST 312, CST 314, CST 315CST 318 (Performance-based courses are defined as having at least 51 percent of the evaluation of the student being based upon oral performance.)
        • Or advisor approved
    • Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.

  • Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)

    • Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)
      • You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP, or other exams.
    AND
    • Computer Literacy (3 units)
      • This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
      • Select one from the following (3 units)
        • [BBA 293]
        • [ISM 120]
  • OR

    Science Requirement Option (18 units)
    • Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):
      • ANT 101, ANT 250
      • GSP 130, GSP 150
      • Courses with Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Mathematics, Nutrition, Physical Science, Physics, Statistics prefixes. Please note that other courses must be approved by the program director.
  • AND

    • Computer Literacy (6 units)
      • This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
      • Select ISM 120 or BBA 293 (3 units)
      • BBA 340 or Advisor Approved coursework including the CIS or CS prefix (3 units)
General Electives
  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.