THE COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Undergraduate Overview
Dean: Thomas G. Blomberg
Florida State University has one of the oldest criminology programs in the world. The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at FSU is an intellectual community where students are involved in and learn about advancing criminological research that links science and theory to matters of effective and responsible public policy. The College values scholarly collaboration and emphasizes the importance of research that has real-world implications.
At Florida State University, the discipline of criminology and criminal justice is viewed broadly as encompassing the scientific study of crime, criminals, the lawmaking process, the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and the treatment of offenders. The program is interdisciplinary and integrative in nature, drawing upon many different disciplines and paradigms for theoretical and methodological approaches. Among these disciplines are anthropology, biology, computer science, demography, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, social work, sociology, and urban studies.
The College's programs focus both on theory and on practice in the belief that neither stands alone. Sound practice demands sound theory, and theories are developed and modified through careful study as they are put into practice. Based on this perspective, the undergraduate programs prepare individuals for a career in the criminal justice system, a related field, or additional study at the graduate level in criminology or law.
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in criminology, and in cyber criminology; Master of Science (MS); Master of Arts (MA); and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A combined bachelor's/master's pathway is offered for qualified criminology and criminal justice students. A distance-learning Master of Science degree program in criminal justice studies is available. Also available are campus joint graduate pathways with the School of Public Administration and Policy and the College of Social Work. A distance learning Bachelor of Science degree program in criminology is available.
Students in the College have an important opportunity for hands-on experience that is afforded by the College's internship program. The University's location in Tallahassee gives students access to extensive research and employment opportunities in various state and federal courts as well as several state correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, a federal prison, and a variety of private sector institutions and organizations. The Legislature, governor, cabinet, attorney general, and the Florida Departments of Corrections, Probation/Parole, and Law Enforcement are located in Tallahassee. Study in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice provides access to criminological facilities that match or exceed any in the nation.
University Requirements
All students of Florida State University must fulfill the CoreFSU Curriculum requirements set forth in the “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” chapter of this General Bulletin. Transfer students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public community college or state university will be considered to have met the CoreFSU Curriculum requirement.
Academic Performance and Retention
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice reserves the right to discontinue enrollment of any student in the College at any time if satisfactory academic progress is not being made. Specifically, students majoring in criminology must earn a grade of “C” or better in the four core courses and maintain a major GPA of 2.0. A student who has accumulated three unsatisfactory grades, (D+, D, D–, F, U, IE) in criminology and criminal justice courses taken for college credit at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be readmitted, permitted to continue, or permitted to graduate with a major in criminology or criminal justice.
Students majoring in cyber criminology must earn (1) a “C” or better in core courses CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, CCJ 4700 and CCJ 4746; (2) a grade of “C–” or better in all other courses for the major; and (3) maintain an overall GPA of 2.0.
Students with more than four grades below “C–” (D+, D, D–, F, U, IE) in criminology, criminal justice, computer science, or prerequisite coursework, whether taken at Florida State University or elsewhere, whether repeated or not, will not be permitted to continue in the major.
A student who applies for readmission to the College must meet the major and degree requirements of the General Bulletin in effect on the date of readmission.
Major Requirements for Criminology
To major in criminology, a student must complete 36 credit hours in criminology and/or criminal justice studies coursework, including four core courses. The four core courses are Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 2020), Criminology (CCJ 3011), Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology (CCJ 4700) and Statistics in Criminology (CCJ 4746). Three core courses (CCJ 3011, CCJ 4700 and CCJ 4746) are expected to be taken at Florida State University; CCJ 2020 may be taken at the community college level. A minimum grade of “C” must be obtained in each core course. An optional one-term, full-time (15 credit hour) or part-time (eight credit hour) internship is available. If a student chooses to complete a full or part-time internship, only three credit hours will count toward the required thirty-six hours in the major. Students in the major are required to complete either a full-time internship, a minor, or second major in another department or program outside the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and must meet all requirements stipulated by the respective department or program. If a student is completing a double major, a minor or full-time internship is not required.
For students transferring from another four-year university, at least 27 credit hours must be earned at Florida State University in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice; the University requires that the last 30 credit hours prior to graduation be taken at Florida State University. In addition, all University requirements must be met for either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
Major Requirements for Cyber Criminology
To major in cyber criminology, a student must complete 52 credit hours in criminology and criminal justice, computer science, and mathematics. Students must complete 13 hours of prerequisite coursework for the major with a “C–” or higher prior to entering the major. Prerequisite courses include MAC 1105, MAC 1114, MAC 1140, and MAC 2311. Students must complete 24 hours in criminology and criminal justice and 25 hours in computer science coursework, including eight core courses. The required core courses from criminology and criminal justice are CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, CCJ 4700, CCJ 4746, CJE 3110 and CCJ 4938r taken as cyber criminology capstone. The required core courses from computer science are COP 3363 (or COP 3014 and COP 3353), COP 3330, CIS 4360, and CIS 4385. A total of six hours of capstone coursework representing criminology and criminal justice and computer science is required. Students must also complete three hours of Discrete Mathematics (MAD 2104). From an approved list, students must choose six additional hours in criminology and criminal justice and 12 additional hours in computer science coursework. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in CCJ 2020, CCJ 3011, CCJ 4700 and CCJ 4746 and a “C–” or better in all other courses for the major and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. A minor is not required.
For students transferring from another four-year university, transfer courses within the major are evaluated on an individual basis; the University requires the last 30 credit hours prior to graduation be taken at Florida State University. In addition, all University requirements must be met for either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
Approved criminology and criminal justice and computer science courses include: CCJ 3644, CCJ 3666, CCJ 4497, CCJ 4614, CJC 3010, CJE 4610, CJJ 4010, CJL 3510, CJL 4064.
Internships
A variety of internships is available at the local, state, and federal levels. Internships can be chosen from the fields of law enforcement, courts, corrections, criminal justice planning, criminological research, and private sector opportunities. The internship is available for juniors and seniors who have completed the core courses with a grade of C or better (CCJ 2020, 3011, 4700, CCJ 4746). The intern receives a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grade, and full credit is given upon successful completion of both the academic component and the work hours.
Students are advised that information pertaining to all matters of public record, such as arrests and convictions, may be required by the agencies accepting interns. Although a reasonable effort is made to place a student in an internship, the University will not be liable if a student cannot be placed. Students are responsible for all living and transportation expenses during the field experiences.
Minor Requirements
A minor in criminology may be obtained upon completion of four classes. Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 2020) and nine additional credit hours in criminology and criminal justice are required for a total of twelve hours. CCJ 2020 may be taken at the community college level prior to admission to Florida State University. Students cannot take CCJ 4905r (Directed Individual Study), CCJ 4933r (Seminar in Criminology), or CCJ 4938r (Special Topics in Criminology) to fulfill the minor. Grades of “C–” or better are required for all coursework in the minor.
Specialized Studies in Criminology
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a specialized studies program in criminology and criminal justice and victim services.
Certificate Program in Criminology
The Crime and Intelligence Analysis certificate equips students with the tools to support criminal investigations, analyze crime patterns, and manage data-driven approaches to policing.
Honors in the Major
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice encourages eligible students to participate in the honors in the major program. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a combined bachelor's/master's pathway (BS/MS). This pathway provides eligible undergraduate students the opportunity to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (with the permission of the appropriate instructor). These 12 credit hours may count toward both the BS and MS degrees. A grade of B or better must be earned to receive graduate credit.
Combined Pathway Requirements
Participants in the combined BS/MS pathway must:
Have completed 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework
Have a minimum GPA of 3.5
Be a major/double major in the College
Meet with an academic advisor to determine eligibility for the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
Note: Enrollment in the combined bachelor's/master's pathway does not guarantee acceptance to the graduate program in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students must still apply to the graduate program and meet all graduate requirements to earn the master's degree.
Student Activities
Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society of students in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students with a declared criminology/criminal justice major or minor. To become a member, a student must have completed one third of the total hours required for graduation at his or her institution. The local chapter advisor or faculty member must recommend the student. Undergraduate students must maintain a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.2 in their criminology and criminal justice courses. Students must also rank in the top thirty-five percent of their class and have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminology and criminal justice curriculum. Graduate students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.4 in all courses.
The American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon is devoted to continuing high levels of professionalism in all areas of criminal justice. Any student committed to the field of criminal justice is invited to participate. The chapter holds regular meetings to provide members opportunities to exchange ideas and information. The Lambda Chapter of ACJA has much to offer students, including a pistol team, a crime scene team, and an academic team.
Scholarships, Awards, and Financial Aid
There are several scholarships available to students majoring in criminology and criminal justice or in cyber criminology. The online application can be found at https://criminology.fsu.edu/degrees/undergraduate-programs/scholarships. A committee appointed by the Dean selects the recipients.
Undergraduate scholarships and awards include:
Frank A. and Lynn W. Baker Scholarship Award
Jerry W. Billett Seminole Scholarship Fund
Seminole Tribe of Florida Tom Bowers Memorial Seminole Law Enforcement Fund
Dona R. Cormier Internship in Criminology Endowment
Crockett Family Fund for Excellence
Eugene and Rosalind Czajkoski Scholarship Fund
Corey D. Dahlem Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Gregory D. Ereckson Endowed Scholarship Fund
Fallen Officer Memorial Scholarship
Jerry A. and Carolyn S. Glass Scholarship Award
Kelley Ivey Memorial Scholarship
Relgalf Scholarship for Current Police Officers
Robert Williams Endowed Scholarship
Doyle E. Young Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Law Enforcement Academy Program (LEAP) Scholarships
Florida Sheriffs Association Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship
Ernest K. Ponce de Leon Memorial Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship
Sgt. Daniel “Dale” Green Memorial Law Enforcement Academy Program Scholarship
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Endowed Scholarship
Altman Malloy Memorial LEAP Scholarship
Palm Beach County LEAP Program Endowment
Sarasota County LEAP Endowed Fund
In addition, the Robert L. Clark Memorial Award, Joe Harris Memorial Award, and The Florida Sheriffs Association Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship are presented yearly to outstanding graduate students.