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ADVISING

The School of Criminal Justice’s academic advising office provides academic and career advice to all students within the school. Students are encouraged to visit an academic adviser once per semester to assure all academic requirements are met prior to graduation. Students may also visit the career counselor at any time to discuss internship and career opportunities in criminal justice.

Students with questions should refer to the Criminal Justice Planning Guides for undergraduate and graduate students (in Academic Programs in the navigation bar to the right). Students should also review the Criminal Justice Advising FAQ.

Schedule an appointment with an adviser to discuss academic progress or career options. The advisers below meet with students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

ACADEMIC ADVISORS

Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor now

Shannon Burton (Academic Adviser)
sburton@msu.edu
517-355-4679

Barbara Kolar (Academic Adviser)
kolarba@msu.edu
517-353-9866

CAREER and INTERNSHIP ADVISOR

Schedule an appointment with the career and intership advisor now

Tim Homberg (Internship/Career Counselor)
hombergt@msu.edu
517-432-3197

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WHAT STUDENTS AT EACH LEVEL NEED TO KNOW

Freshmen | Sophomores | Juniors | Seniors | Graduates | Transfers | Additional Majors | Second Degrees


FRESHMen

Questions that first-year students should consider:

  • Why did you select criminal justice as your major of choice?
  • What role do you see your adviser having and what do you hope he or she can help you with?
  • What steps have you taken to begin your portfolio?
  • What are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses?
  • What are your academic interests and personal interests (i.e. hobbies)?
  • In what ways do you want to grow intellectually and personally?
  • What major challenges do you expect this year?
  • What extracurricular activities would you like to get involved in?
  • Describe an accomplishment you are proud of, and how you achieved it.
  • Describe a significant challenge and what you did to overcome it.
  • What consideration have you given to life after college?
  • How do you expect this major to help you with your future plans?
  • Do you know the graduation requirements for your degree and field areas?

Do you need information about any of the following?

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SOPHOMORES

Questions for sophomores to consider:

Please prepare responses to these questions and be ready to discuss them with your adviser.

  • If you have just changed your major, what attracted you to criminal justice?
  • Upon completing one year in your major, how do you feel about it?
  • What do you like most and least about the major?
  • Over the past year have you had any difficulties with your coursework or studies? If so, what were they? What have you done to address them?
  • What general elective courses do you think will help to supplement your required courses and give you a competitive edge?
  • What field areas in criminal justice have you found to be particularly appealing?
  • What extracurricular activities have you pursued?
  • How do you plan to develop and demonstrate your interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills through activities outside of your coursework?
  • How do you plan on getting field experience through work/internship experience or volunteer activities?
  • Do you plan on taking the Career Development Seminar?
  • Do you plan on taking advantage of an overseas study experience? (NEEDS UPDATED CJ LINK)

Do you need information about any of the following?

You may have many questions, including how to plan your course of study. Please write them down and discuss them at your advising consultation.

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JUNIORS

Questions for Juniors to Consider:

Please prepare responses to these questions and be ready to discuss them with your adviser.

  • If you have just changed your major, what attracted you to criminal justice?
  • Upon completing one year in your major, how do you feel about it?
  • What do you like most and least about the major?
  • Over the past year have you had any difficulties with your coursework or studies? If so, what were they? What have you done to address them?
  • What general elective courses do you think will help to supplement your required courses and give you a competitive edge?
  • What field areas in criminal justice have you found to be particularly appealing?
  • What extracurricular activities have you pursued?
  • How do you plan to develop and demonstrate your interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills through activities outside of your coursework?
  • How do you plan on getting field experience through work/internship experience or volunteer activities?
  • Do you plan on taking the Career Development Seminar?
  • Do you plan on taking advantage of an overseas study experience? (NEEDS UPDATED CJ LINK)

Do you need information about any of the following?

You may have many questions, including how to plan your course of study. Please write them down and discuss them at your advising consultation.

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SENIORS

All graduating seniors should meet with an adviser prior to enrolling for their last semester to verify remaining requirements. Remember, you must Apply to Graduate.

You should file your credentials with the Career Services and Placement Office on SpartanTRAK.

Questions for Seniors to consider:

Please prepare responses to these questions and be ready to discuss them with your adviser.

  • What goals do you want to achieve this year and how do you plan to achieve them?
  • Have you acquired experience in the field, or do you still need to plan an internship, volunteer activity or some type of employment to gain the experience?
  • How have you developed and demonstrated your communication, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills?
  • Do you have a resume?
  • What are your plans after receiving your bachelor's degree in criminal justice?
  • What help do you need with your job search or graduate school application procedures?
  • Have you completed an internship or do you plan on completing an internship this year?

Do you need information about any of the following?

You may have many questions, including how to plan your course of study. Please write them down and discuss them at your advising consultation

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GRADUATES

The Masters degree in Criminal Justice allows students to select courses of study from the wide range of options offered by the school, including policing, delinquency prevention, adult corrections, private security, general studies and forensic science (for those with undergraduate preparation in the natural sciences). Masters degree students gain both the theoretical and practical knowledge that prepare them to deal with the diversity of issues confronting the criminal justice system today.

The Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice prepares students for a career in academic research. Students complete a core group of courses in the School of Criminal Justice focused on theory and research methodology, then select electives from both criminal justice an outside discipline. Doctoral students are encouraged to create an innovative combination of courses from any disciplines in the College of Social Science.

Our Masters academic program page contains more specific information on each of these degrees.

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TRANSFERS

Information for Transfer Students

Make an effort to understand your Final Transfer Credit Evaluation so you can better plan your academic career at MSU. See an adviser or go to 250 Administration Building for an explanation if you have any questions.

If you were advised that you may be eligible to waive a particular criminal justice course, it is extremely important that you initiate the waiver process as soon as possible. Waiver forms may be obtained from your adviser.

A final transcript is required in order to receive all transfer credits from a previous institution. The Office of Admissions will not post credit for courses until a final transcript is received.

Group Advising Sessions: In the fall, group advising sessions will be available to both transfer students and first-year students. Sign-up sheets will be in 560 Baker Hall by the middle of September. Sign up for the session that does not conflict with your class schedule.

At these group advising sessions, advisers will review graduation requirements and answer any questions you may have regarding degree requirements. Students should make an individual appointment with the appropriate adviser during the fall semester. After attending the group session, you may sign up for an individual session with your adviser to check your spring enrollment, as well as plan possible enrollment for next summer, fall and spring semesters. Please bring tentative schedules.

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ADDITIONAL MAJORS

Requirements for an additional major in criminal justice:

Students whose primary major is not criminal justice may earn an additional major in CJ. The additional major will be noted on the student’s transcript but not on the official diploma. Students must successfully complete the following requirements to receive the additional major.

Major Requirements (30 credits):

Core Courses: 12 credits

  • 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)

  • 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 nine credits in criminal justice elective coursework is required. All credits in criminal justice must total 30, with at least nine credits at the 400-level. Elective courses include CJ 434W, CJ 456W, CJ 466W and CJ 485W but exclude CJ 494 (internship).

To receive the additional major, students must maintain a 2.0 for both cumulative GPA and criminal justice courses.

Students who wish to declare criminal justice as an additional major should make an appointment with an academic adviser.

After a student declares criminal justice as an additional major, the intention to complete the additional major will be noted on his or her academic record in the Registrar's Office. The student will receive notification in the mail from the Registrar's Office three to six weeks after declaring the additional major.

See the Planning Guide (PDF) for course suggestions on the above requirements

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SECOND DEGREES

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):

Core Courses: 12 credits

  • 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)

  • 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):

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 (PDF)).

Requesting the degree

To declare criminal justice as a second degree, you must make an appointment with a criminal justice adviser.

After the request to complete two degrees concurrently 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.

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