Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science
Fall
- CJUS 101: Intro Criminal Justice (Social Science Elective)............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101: Composition or ENGL 115: Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- Second Language I............ 3cr.
- CORE 100: First Year Seminar or THEO 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- Core 101: Co-Curricular Program............ 0cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- CJUS 102: Intro to Law Enforcement............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100: Ethics Intro Philosophy ............ 3cr.
- Second Language II............ 3cr.
- CORE 100: First Year Seminar or THEO 111: Theo Foundations ............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: Co-Curricular Program............ 0cr.
Fall
- CJUS 103: Intro to Corrections............ 3cr.
- Mathematical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- English 205: Lit & Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Second Language III or General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- CJUS 206: Criminology............ 3cr.
- CJUS 210: Basic Const. Law & Amer. Justice............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspective ............ 3cr.
- Ethics, Religion & Society (ERS) Flag............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 0cr.
Fall
- CJUS 381: Research Methods (Fulfills Scientific Perspectives) ............ 3cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Solidarity and Kinship Flag ............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Flag............ 3cr.
Spring
- CJUS 240: Criminal Law............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspective Elective............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- CJUS 321: Juvenile Justice............ 3cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- CJUS 491: Practicum ............ 3cr.
- CJUS 489: Senior Seminar/Capstone............ 3cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- CORE 499 Reflection on XU Core ............ 0cr.
The sample course sequence above illustrates class offerings for the Criminal Justice major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Alumni Employers
Cincinnati Police Department, U.S. Department of Justice, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Ohio State Highway Patrol, FBI
Exciting Career Opportunities
Highway patrol officers, correctional officers, correctional counselors, local and federal law enforcement officers, forensic science specialists, attorneys, probation officers
Intro to Law Enforcement (CJUS 102)
Overview of policing problems and procedures; legal and philosophical issues in law enforcement; organization and administration of police agencies.
Criminology (CJUS 206)
This course explores the cause of crime and deviance from varying theoretical perspectives in the social sciences. As an introductory survey of the classical and positivist schools of criminology, theories covered include human ecology, Social structural approaches, Social process (learning) theories, socio-biological theories, developmental theories and control theories.
Basic Const Law and Amer Justice (CJUS 210)
Studies the ratification and incorporation of the Bill of Rights. Examines judicial review, the jurisdiction and organization of federal and state court systems, and the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment provisions relevant to law enforcement and judicial process.
Methods of Research in CJUS (CJUS 381)
This course is designed to acquaint students with basic research methodology that is useful in understanding criminological and criminal justice scholarship. By the end of the course the students should: (1) understand the language of research, (2) understand and apply the research process and data gathering strategies, and (3) have a basic understanding of research appearing in professional journals. This course fulfills students' scientific perspectives requirement.
Criminal Justice Society
The mission of the Criminal Justice Society is to provide an opportunity for students to learn about those working in and impacted by the criminal justice system. The club emphasizes educational and hands-on experiences to enhance the students' professional development.
St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society
Pre-law students are strongly advised to join the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society. This group meets several times a year to discuss the law school application process and careers in the legal profession.
Xavier Mock Trial Club
Xavier’s Mock Trial Club participates in regional and national intercollegiate competitions. Club members—who consist of students interested in acting or Pre-Law--use legal cases to participate in trial simulations where they are assigned specific roles, such as attorneys, witnesses, etc. in order to improve their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and legal reasoning. The advisors for this club are professional attorneys from the Cincinnati area.
Ohio Innocence Project-u
OIP-u is Ohio's collegiate network of innocence advocates. Their mission is to bring awareness to wrongful convictions, specifically in Ohio. The Xavier OIP-u chapter works to prevent wrongful conviction by promoting awareness on college campuses and to generate student and community support for the nonprofit Ohio Innocence Project.
Program Features
Our 150-hour field placement offers real-world experience in law enforcement, courts or corrections, including agencies like the FBI.
Our program allows you to explore specialized areas of interest through elective courses in topics like women in the criminal justice system, criminalistics, crime prevention, and legal aspects of corrections.
Our professors bring a wealth of real-world knowledge into the classroom, providing you with insights from the front lines of law enforcement, legal practice and social justice advocacy.
Guided by our Jesuit values, you'll explore the moral dimensions of justice, learn to advocate for marginalized communities and develop a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Jonson says one of the greatest features of Xavier’s program is its focus on practical experiences, whether that’s through internships, community-engaged learning or classroom projects.
The Inside Out program offers Xavier students the chance to engage in meaningful dialogue with incarcerated individuals at nearby correctional facilities.
FAQ
Prepare for a rewarding career on the frontlines of law enforcement, corrections or legal advocacy with Xavier's BS in Criminal Justice program. Learn more.Law Enforcement
- Police Officer: Enforce local laws and protect citizens.
- Sheriff's Deputy: Maintain county law enforcement and security.
- State Trooper: Enforce state laws and provide highway patrol.
- FBI Agent: Investigate federal crimes and protect national security.
- DEA Agent: Enforce drug laws and investigate drug-related crimes.
- Homeland Security Agent: Protect the nation from terrorism and other threats.
Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Correctional Officer: Oversee inmates in correctional facilities.
- Probation and Parole Officer: Monitor offenders in the community.
- Juvenile Corrections Officer: Work with young offenders and their families.
- Rehabilitation Counselor: Assist individuals with reintegrating into society.
Legal and Court Services
- Lawyer: Provide legal advice and representation in court.
- Paralegal: Assist attorneys with legal research and documentation.
- Court Administrator: Manage court operations and procedures.
- Victim Advocate: Support crime victims and assist in the legal process.
- Juvenile Court Officer: Handle juvenile cases and ensure the well-being of children.
Other Related Fields
- Private Investigator: Conduct investigations for individuals or organizations.
- Security Officer: Protect people and property.
- Homeland Security Analyst: Analyze data to identify potential threats.
- Fraud Investigator: Detect and prevent financial crimes.
- Criminal Profiler: Analyze crime scenes and offender behavior.
- Crime Scene Investigator: Collect and analyze evidence.
- Forensic Scientist: Examine evidence in a laboratory setting.
- Intelligence Analyst: Gather and analyze information to support law enforcement.
Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Xavier can choose to have a concentration in criminalistics.
Criminalistics involves the collection, preservation, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence from crime scenes (blood splatter, hostage negotiation, crime scene reassembly, gaining control in a riot, fingerprinting).
Faculty members in the Criminal Justice Department are highly qualified professionals with extensive academic and real-world experience. They include:
- Dr. Cheryl Lero Jonson: The department's chair and an associate professor, Dr. Jonson is a leading expert in corrections, public opinion, and school safety. She is the co-author of Correctional Theory: Context and Consequences and has published nearly 100 works in the field. She also teaches in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, which brings Xavier students and incarcerated individuals together to learn inside correctional facilities.
- Dr. Y. Gail Hurst: A professor with research interests in juvenile perceptions of the criminal justice system and issues related to gender and crime. She has published articles on the criminal justice ideology of youths and the experiences of teenage girls in the justice system.
- J. Wayne McFarland: A teaching professor with over 35 years of professional experience, including time as a former prosecutor. He brings a practical perspective to the classroom and has been an adjunct professor for 18 years before joining the faculty full-time.
- Ronald Springman: A senior teaching professor who previously served as a Chief Assistant Prosecutor for the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office for over 20 years. He focuses on law courses such as Criminal Law and Legal Aspects of Corrections.
The faculty also includes other professors with diverse backgrounds, such as former police officers, crime scene investigators, and correctional educators.
Yes. The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Yes. Xavier offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Justice and a dual-degree program that combines the M.S. in Criminal Justice with a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.). Additionally, Xavier offers a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration. All of these programs are offered online.
Criminal Justice Program at Xavier University
The Criminal Justice Department at Xavier University has a long history of preparing graduates for careers in law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections. Our program blends rigorous academic study with hands-on learning, including a supervised placement in a police department, court, law firm, corrections agency, or community organization. Students may also choose to obtain a concentration in criminalistics, gaining knowledge in DNA analysis, crime scene investigation, and evidence processing. Guided by experienced faculty and grounded in current challenges facing the justice system, graduates are prepared to serve with integrity, lead with confidence, and make a lasting difference in their communities.
Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."