Academic Advising
Requirements for a second degree in criminal justice
Students who successfully complete a second degree at Michigan State University receive two bachelor’s degrees and two diplomas. The following are required for a second degree:
- Total Credits Required: 150 (153 w/MTH 1825)
- A minimum total of 150 credits (153 credits with MTH 1825) are required for a second degree. This is a minimum of 30 credits above and beyond the 120 required for primary major. A student wishing to complete the requirements for a second degree must complete criminal justice major requirements and College of Social Science requirements. Additionally, a student must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA in the School of Criminal Justice.
- Major Requirements (30 credits):
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- Core Courses: 12 credits
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- CJ 110 (3): Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 220 (3): Criminology
- CJ 275 (3): Criminal Procedure
- CJ 292 (3): Methods of Criminal Justice Research
- Thematic Areas: Select 2 or 3 (6 – 9 credits)
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- CJ 335 (3): Policing
- CJ 355 (3): Juvenile Justice
- CJ 365 (3): Corrections
- CJ 385 (3): Private Security
- CJ electives: Select 9-12 credits
- A minimum of 9 credits in criminal justice elective coursework is required. All credits in criminal justice must total 30, with at least 9 credits at the 400-level. Elective courses include CJ 434W, CJ 456W, CJ 466W and CJ 485W but exclude CJ 494 (internship).
- College of Social Science Requirements (30 credits):
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- Social Science: 15 credits
- Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Geography, Social Work, Economics, History, Family & Child Ecology
- Arts and Letters: 9 credits
- Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theater, English, Classical Studies, Studio Art, Foreign Languages, Women’s Studies, History of Art, Music
- Natural Science: 6 credits
- Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Entomology, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, selected social science courses (see Student Planning Guide).
Requesting the degree
To declare criminal justice as a second degree, you must make an appointment (LINK) with a criminal justice adviser.
After the request to complete two degrees concurrently (link) is processed, the intention to complete a second degree will be noted on the student's academic records in the Registrar’s Office. The student will receive a notice in the mail approximately 3 to 6 weeks after the declaration.