Law Enforcement & Public Safety
Prepare for careers in federal, state, and local law enforcement — including police, corrections, probation, parole, and homeland security roles.
Birdsong School of Social Science
Criminal Justice
Department Chair: Dr. Scott Liverman
Criminal justice is a wide-ranging field that is primarily concerned with understanding the origins, nature, and consequences of criminal behavior and of societal reactions to crime. As a profession it focuses on careers directly related to social institutions of law, law enforcement, and the legal system. Students find that the criminal justice program offers a core of basic and allied courses which provides a practical liberal arts perspective of this growing field with an emphasis on critical analysis.
Requirements
CJ 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
4 hrs
CJ 301
Criminology
4 hrs
CJ 350
Introduction to Social Research
4 hrs
CJ 387
Criminal Law
4 hrs
CJ 488
Senior Capstone
4 hrs
CJ Electives
Six additional courses at any level, including one or two from allied courses: CJ 210, 215, 222, 250, 266, 290, 300, 340, 348, 360, 385, 388, 389, 393, 460, 480
24 hrs
Internship (Optional)
CJ 483 Internship Preparation (2 hrs) AND CJ 484 Internship in Sociology & Criminal Justice (8 hrs)
(10 hrs)
Allied Courses
One or two allied courses (see advisor): ART 208 · MC 222 · CHEM (any) · CS (any) · MATH 210 · MBE 203 · MBE 204 · MBE 216 · POLS 371 · POLS 372 · PSY 350 · SOC 227 · SOC 270 · SOC 353 · SPAN 307 · SW 384 · SW 385
Total Hours Required
44
*Total of 44 hours required without internship.
CJ 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
4 hrs
CJ 301
Criminology
4 hrs
CJ 387
Criminal Law
4 hrs
CJ Electives
Two Criminal Justice electives
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Criminal Justice students have access to guaranteed pathways to law school through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
Career Outcomes
Law & Legal Services
A strong foundation for law school, paralegal work, victim advocacy, and careers in the courts and legal system.
Forensics & Investigation
Coursework in criminal investigation, profiling, crime scene documentation, and forensic accounting prepares students for investigative and analytical roles.
Social Services & Policy
Pair criminal justice with social work, public policy, or nonprofit work to address crime prevention, juvenile justice, and community services.
Faculty
Scott Liverman
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
757-455-3294
4 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village
Criminal justice is a wide-ranging field that is primarily concerned with understanding the origins, nature, and consequences of criminal behavior and of societal reactions to crime. As a profession it focuses on careers directly related to social institutions of law, law enforcement, and the legal system. Students find that the criminal justice program offers a core of basic and allied courses which provides a practical liberal arts perspective of this growing field with an emphasis on critical analysis.
Requirements
CJ 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
4 hrs
CJ 301
Criminology
4 hrs
CJ 350
Introduction to Social Research
4 hrs
CJ 387
Criminal Law
4 hrs
CJ 488
Senior Capstone
4 hrs
CJ Electives
Six additional courses at any level, including one or two from allied courses: CJ 210, 215, 222, 250, 266, 290, 300, 340, 348, 360, 385, 388, 389, 393, 460, 480
24 hrs
Internship (Optional)
CJ 483 Internship Preparation (2 hrs) AND CJ 484 Internship in Sociology & Criminal Justice (8 hrs)
(10 hrs)
Allied Courses
One or two allied courses (see advisor): ART 208 · MC 222 · CHEM (any) · CS (any) · MATH 210 · MBE 203 · MBE 204 · MBE 216 · POLS 371 · POLS 372 · PSY 350 · SOC 227 · SOC 270 · SOC 353 · SPAN 307 · SW 384 · SW 385
Total Hours Required
44
*Total of 44 hours required without internship.
CJ 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
4 hrs
CJ 301
Criminology
4 hrs
CJ 387
Criminal Law
4 hrs
CJ Electives
Two Criminal Justice electives
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Criminal Justice students have access to guaranteed pathways to law school through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
Career Outcomes
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
Prepare for careers in federal, state, and local law enforcement — including police, corrections, probation, parole, and homeland security roles.
Law & Legal Services
A strong foundation for law school, paralegal work, victim advocacy, and careers in the courts and legal system.
Forensics & Investigation
Coursework in criminal investigation, profiling, crime scene documentation, and forensic accounting prepares students for investigative and analytical roles.
Social Services & Policy
Pair criminal justice with social work, public policy, or nonprofit work to address crime prevention, juvenile justice, and community services.
Faculty
Scott Liverman
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
757-455-3294
4 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village