Criminal Justice Program

Department website: https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/criminal-justice

Department Chair: Will LeSuer
Office: 1147 Ullsvik Hall
Phone: 608.342.1033
E-mail: lesuerw@uwplatt.edu

About the Criminal Justice Program and Major

The major in criminal justice provides a basic understanding of the criminal justice system and the society in which it functions. The first 60 credits are composed primarily of general education courses to develop a broad educational background, along with foundational criminal justice courses. After completion of 60 credits, in-depth knowledge can be obtained by careful selection of courses in policing, corrections, criminological theory, law, forensic investigation, Substance Abuse (AODA) counseling, private security, and more.

The UW-Platteville Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation programs have received national recognition for the superior quality of their internship programs. As a result, participation in internship programs is competitive. The programs reserve the right to refuse a student an internship if they are not a suitable candidate on the basis of scholarship, verbal ability, or character. To be eligible for internship, the student must have earned at least 60 credits plus 12 upper division criminal justice/forensic investigation credits and a 2.50 G.P.A.

In cooperation with the UW-Platteville Department of Psychology, undergraduate Criminal Justice majors may complete the coursework needed for the State of Wisconsin Social Worker Training Certificate.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the criminal justice program should:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts related to the interrelationship of various components within the criminal justice system
  2. Apply criminological theories in explaining criminal behavior
  3. Demonstrate the ability to formulate a problem/topic, assemble relevant research and resources, and analyze data
  4. Evaluate social, cultural and technological change and its impact on the criminal justice system
  5. Understand, analyze and evaluate social research; demonstrate a working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
  6. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of substantive areas within the discipline of criminal justice
  7. Analyze the multifaceted nature of societal diversity and how it pertains to crime, offenders, victims, and the criminal justice and legal systems

General Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree

Course Title Credits
Total for graduation120
General education44-58
Major studies36

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Course Title Credits
Total for graduation120
General education44-58
Major studies36

Majors

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Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is available at the Platteville campus and online through the Distance Learning campus.

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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is available at the Platteville campus and online through the Distance Learning campus.

Minors

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Minor is available at the Platteville campus and online through the Distance Learning campus.

Faculty and Lecturers

Additional information about the Faculty and Lecturers below may be found in the Faculty and Academic Staff section of this catalog.

Forrest, Nathanial P.

Gaines, Dustin (Cody)

Gartner, Nancy R.

Juedes, Timothy J.

LeSuer, William

Morris, Camie

Patient, Grant T.

Reimann, Kyle

Schlicht, Michael

Solar, Patrick

Truesdell, Jana