Department website: https://www.uwplatt.edu/program/criminal-justice-online
Dr. Patrick Solar
Program Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
1145 Ullsvik Hall
608.342.6126
solarp@uwplatt.edu
Become an invaluable member of your community—study criminal justice from an institution recognized among the nation's best for excellence, academic service, and affordability.
You'll build knowledge from core criminal justice courses such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, The Police Function, Correctional Philosophy, and more.
General Education Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate effective communication skills (written and verbal)
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Demonstrate critical thinking skills (understanding the perspectives and viewpoints of others)
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Demonstrate international and cultural awareness
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Demonstrate ethical wisdom, and individual and social responsibility
Criminal Justice Program Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts related to the interrelationship of various components within the criminal justice system.
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Apply criminological theories in explaining criminal behavior.
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Demonstrate the ability to formulate a problem/topic, assemble relevant research and resources, and analyze data.
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Evaluate social, cultural, and technological change and its impact on the criminal justice system.
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Understand, analyze, and evaluate social research. Demonstrate a working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
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Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of substantive areas within the discipline of criminal justice.
Admission Guidelines
First-Time Freshman
We're looking for students who meet these admission requirements:
High school/GED completion: Graduate of a recognized high school and have completed high school coursework required by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at the time of graduation or have a general equivalency diploma (HSED/GED) with the required scores from the appropriate state Department of Public Instruction or its equivalent.
College preparatory coursework successfully completed1
Subject Units
English 4
Mathematics (Algebra or higher) 3
Social Science 3
Natural Science (2 must include lab experience) 3
Courses from above academic areas, foreign
language, fine arts, computer science, or
courses in vocational areas 4
Rank/ACT Score: Top 50 percent of graduating class or ACT composite score of 22 (1110 SAT score). Currently, the writing component for each exam is not required. This requirement is waived for prospective students age 22 and over.2
| 1 | The requirements listed are for the current catalog year. Admission requirements will vary based on the year the applicant graduated from high school. |
| 2 | NOTE: Temporary Suspension of ACT/SAT Requirements As of May 7, 2020 new freshmen applicants are not required to submit a test score for their admission review.
|
Home-Schooled Students
To be considered for admission, home-schooled students must provide official transcripts from school(s) attended, a transcript of courses taken at home and grades signed by the individual providing the education verifying the curriculum, an official ACT or SAT score, and any other information related to the student’s education. Courses taken in the home school curriculum would be considered for admission purposes only. No credit will be given for university degree requirements unless one of the following applies:
- High school courses are completed through an accredited high school, college, or university.
- The student successfully passes and completes a recognized exam program (i.e., CLEP).
If you do not meet the traditional admission requirements at the time of your graduation from high school, you may be considered for admission on an individual basis.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who apply for admission must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, plus good standing at the university most recently attended. Applicants must have 12 or more transferable credits from an accredited institution to be considered for admission as a transfer. Applicants with fewer than 12 credits must meet new freshmen admission guidelines.
Re-Entry Students
Students who have attended a UW-Platteville campus as degree-seeking students in the past and wish to take classes again at the same campus may apply as a re-entry student. Re-entry guidelines are the same for all UW-Platteville campuses.
International Students
Demonstrate proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL® Test) and submitting your score to the Office of Professional Program Support. A minimum score of 64 for the internet-based TOEFL is required of all international students whose native language is not English. If you have taken the TOEFL, you must request official evidence be sent from the testing agency directly to the Office of Professional Program Support, indicating the date on which you took the examination and your score.
You may be excused from taking the TOEFL if you have demonstrated competence in English through courses taken at other institutions and have earned grades of B or higher in English composition courses and speech, or two English composition courses. As an alternative, you may submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You must have a band-level score of 5.5 or higher.
Sub-score Minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based) IELTS
Reading 15 5.0
Listening 15 5.0
Speaking 17 5.0
Writing 17 5.0
Total Composite Minimum 64 5.5
Special Students
You can enroll as a Special Student for single course enrollment. You may enroll in a single course rather than a full degree for personal enrichment, to apply toward a certificate, if you plan on transferring the course to another institution, or if you want to start a course(s) while the admission process is completed.
As a special student you
- Can enroll in a maximum of 12 credits.
- Must meet prerequisites for courses. You may be asked to provide an unofficial transcript to show prerequisites.
- Are not obligated to follow specific degree requirements.
- Are not eligible for financial aid.
- May be admitted to a degree program after completing the admission process and any in-progress coursework. Check program requirements for more information.
To enroll for a single undergraduate course, review the complete list of online and print-based course offerings and complete the Special Student Application.
Bachelor of Science Degree
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total for graduation | 120 | |
| General education | 44-58 | |
| Major studies | 36 | |
Criminal Justice Major Curriculum
Students cannot double major in criminal justice and forensic investigation, but can major in one and minor in the other.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| On-Campus General Education | 40-53 | |
| Online General Education Requirements | ||
| Non-Departmental Core Requirements 1 | 3 | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Required Courses 1, 2 | ||
| CRIMLJUS 1130 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 2130 | Foundations of Policing | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 2230 | Foundations of Corrections | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 4030 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 4930 | Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Theory 1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following courses: | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Crime and Delinquency | ||
| Research Methods 1 | 3-9 | |
| Select one of the following options to complete the research methods requirement for the major: | ||
| Research Methods in Criminal Justice | ||
| Social Research | ||
Completion of all three of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Psychology | ||
| Behavioral Research I | ||
| Behavioral Research II | ||
| Electives 1 | 15 | |
| Select 15 credits from the list below: | ||
| U S Courts and the Criminal Justice System | ||
| Private Security Operations | ||
| Issues in Criminal Justice | ||
| Ethnicity, Race and Crime | ||
| White Collar Crime | ||
| Foundations of Interviewing | ||
| Police Ethics | ||
| Criminal Investigation | ||
| Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| Police Administration | ||
| Correctional Institutions | ||
| Juvenile Justice | ||
| Women, Gender, and Justice | ||
| Crime Prevention | ||
| Law of Corrections | ||
| Police-Community Relations | ||
| Deviance, Crime, and Social Control | ||
| Community-Based Corrections | ||
| Criminal Procedure and Evidence | ||
| Issues in Criminal Justice Planning and Management | ||
| Directed Individual Studies | ||
| Social Welfare Policy | ||
| Social Work Practice with Communities, Organizations and Social Institutions | ||
| Current Topics In Criminal Justice | ||
| Honors in Criminal Justice Research | ||
| Victimology and Restorative Justice | ||
| Substance Abuse I: Theory and Assessment | ||
| Substance Abuse II: Intervention and Special Populations | ||
| Internship | ||
| Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation | ||
| Forensic Criminology | ||
| Research Methods in Forensic Investigation | ||
| Courtroom Testimony and Evidence | ||
| The Washington Center - The LEAD Colloquium | ||
| The Washington Center - Evening Topics Course | ||
| The Washington Center - CJ Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 79-98 | |
| 1 | In addition, all criminal justice majors must earn a “C-” or better in each course. |
| 2 | In addition, all criminal justice majors must earn a “C-” or better in (ENGLISH 1040 or ENGLISH 1130) and ENGLISH 1230. |
Business Administration Minor
Students pursuing the B.B.A. in Finance, Human Resource Management, Integrated Marketing, Management, Professional Sales, or Supply Chain Management may not pursue the Business Administration minor.
At least 12 credits must be taken at UW-Platteville.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACCTING 2010 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 1300 | Global Business | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 2330 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 2630 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| BUSADMIN or ACCTING Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Six additional credits of BUSADMIN, ACCTING, or from the following courses: | 6 | |
| Operations Research I | ||
| Engineering Management | ||
| System Safety Engineering | ||
| Quality Engineering | ||
| Principles and Applications of Project Management | ||
| Engineering Continuous Improvement | ||
| Construction Administration | ||
| Quality Assurance | ||
| Production Planning and Control | ||
| Design & Control of Manufacturing Systems | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | BUSADMIN/ACCTING 4990: Internship may not be used as an elective. |
Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credits.
- A minimum of 42 of the 120 credits must be upper-division credits (3000 and 4000 level).
- A minimum of 32 of the 120 credits must be taken under the direction of UW-Platteville faculty.
- Of the last 32 credits, 23 of them must be taken under the direction of UW-Platteville faculty.
- A minimum of 18 credits with the CRIMLJUS prefix must be taken under the direction of UW-Platteville faculty.
- No more than 72 credits may be transferred from any and all two-year lower-division college.
- A grade of "C-" or better must be earned in courses taken with other institutions in order for courses to be considered for transfer.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 overall, as well as in any minor, must be maintained, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in the major for work from UW-Platteville.
- A grade of "C-" or better must be earned in each criminal justice core course before moving onto the next criminal justice course.