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Appalachian State University

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Criminal Justice (BSCJ)

About

A criminal justice degree offers more than the television show “CSI” may lead you to believe. It prepares students to work in the public and private sectors of law enforcement and courts and corrections at all levels of government. It also provides training for careers in community organizations or government positions (elected or appointed).

Appalachian State University’s Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree has a broad focus and is taught by faculty in the Department of Government and Justice Studies who have diverse expertise. At Appalachian, you will take classes from both sides of the department, including faculty from the pre-professional legal studies concentration and faculty from the public administration undergraduate concentration.

In addition to classes in criminal justice, the program’s strong liberal arts focus emphasizes critical writing, communications and analysis skills. You will be required to complete a writing course that focuses on the writing skills needed in your specific concentration. Students are required to complete an internship to gain practical experience, and the department’s full-time internship coordinator can help you find that perfect host site. 

If you want to continue your education and have a 3.4 GPA or higher, you can complete Appalachian’s Accelerated Master’s Program and receive a Master’s of Public Administration in one extra year.

After Graduation

Employment: Some students begin employment immediately following the completion of their required internship, while others use their internship period to begin the application process with organizations of interest. See right column for a sample of agencies that have hired Criminal Justice alumni.

Graduate schools: Some students continue their education at Appalachian State University or other institutions such as Florida State University and University of Missouri at St. Louis.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Alumna Profile: Cashae Cook ’14
    Alumna Profile: Cashae Cook ’14

    Cook is App State’s diversity, inclusion and community engagement officer. She works in partnership with university offices and student organizations to foster meaningful relationships and build trust with all members of the campus community.

  • Student Profile: Bryce Helms
    Student Profile: Bryce Helms

    As a senior, Bryce Helms is the first cadet from the two-year Appalachian Police Officer Development Program to be hired as a full-time member of App State Police.

  • Alumnus Profile: Brock Long ’97 ’99
    Alumnus Profile: Brock Long ’97 ’99

    After 16 years’ experience in homeland security, Long served as FEMA administrator from 2017 to 2019. He holds two degrees from Appalachian: a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a Master of Public Administration degree.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - International Studies

Minors

A minor is not required. Popular minors include:

  • History
  • Sociology
  • Psychology

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

American Correctional Association - The Appalachian Students Chapter of the American Correctional Association was founded in 2003 and works to educate the community about the truth of our justice system.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society. In this major, past faculty-led study abroad locations included Cuba and Eastern Europe.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • As part of degree requirements, students must complete an internship. A student will usually spend an entire semester working with an approved criminal justice agency.
  • Scholarships are available through the department.
  • Students may want to stay for Appalachian’s Accelerated Master’s Program at Appalachian. Criminal Justice students with a GPA above 3.0 may complete their Master of Public Administration degree in one extra year.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Attorney
  • CIA Agent
  • Corrections Officer
  • Detective
  • District Attorney
  • Drug Enforcement Agent
  • FBI Agent
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Military Officer
  • Park Ranger
  • Police Officer/Manager
  • Secret Service Agent
  • Sheriff
  • Social Worker
  • US Marshall

View more career possibilities

Employers

  • FBI
  • Secret Service
  • State Department Diplomatic Security
  • Air Marshal
  • Naval Criminal Investigative Services
  • U.S. Marshal’s Service
  • U.S. Probation
  • N.C. State Highway Patrol
  • N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement
  • N.C. State Bureau of Investigation
  • N.C. Division of Community Corrections
  • Juvenile District Attorney offices
  • Public Defenders offices
  • Police departments of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Durham, Greensboro, Gastonia, Gaston County, Wilmington, Rocky Mount, Hickory, Watauga County, Catawba County and more

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Government and Justice Studies

Dr. Cathy Marcum
Department Chair
marcumcm@appstate.edu
828-262-3075

  • Department of Government and Justice Studies

    Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at gjs.appstate.edu

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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