2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Criminal Justice, B.A.

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This program is a 39-hour major based on the input of a diverse criminal justice advisory board that is designed to prepare students for careers and rapid advancement in the criminal justice system and related fields. This program of study will enhance the effectiveness of working professionals, provide a foundation for advancement to administrative levels, and prepare students for graduate study in criminal justice administration and related fields. Field placements are available to all students who do not have prior criminal-justice-related professional experience. Placements and possible future employment opportunities with agencies such as the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Capital Police, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. District Court, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and a variety of local law enforcement agencies and private security firms may be able to provide practical experience for those who are not yet working professionals.

Technology Competency Skills

Saint Leo University Technology Competency Skills

Technology is threaded through our personal, professional, and educational interactions. To successfully manage these interactions - specifically relating to education and employment - our students must have the ability to navigate and operate essential computer functions, beyond social media. Demonstrating competency of basic technology skills is essential for the success of all Saint Leo University students.

Saint Leo University requires undergraduate students to demonstrate technology competency prior to degree conferral. These technology competency skills can be satisfied through a waiver exam or academic course (COM-140 or equivalent, earning a grade of C or better within 10 years). Education majors should complete EDU 228: Educational Technology to fulfill the technology requirement. Students should meet with their advisors to discuss options and establish a plan to satisfy the graduation requirement.

Technology Competency Skills Waiver Exam:

Students may take the technology competency skills waiver exam to satisfy the Saint Leo University technology competency skill requirement. The Waiver Exam tests your knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Windows, and the Internet. The exam is Pass/Fail and you must receive a minimum score of 74% to pass.

University Campus Only Course Requirements

SLU 101 - First Year Experience 1 credit

University Explorations (42 credit hours)

Click here to view the University Explorations

Required Courses (24 credit hours)

CRM 123 - Introduction to Law and the Legal System 3 credits
CRM 220 - Survey of the Criminal Justice System 3 credits
CRM 321 - Substantive Criminal Law 3 credits
CRM 322 - Law of Criminal Procedure 3 credits
CRM 350 - Criminal Justice Ethics 3 credits
CRM 419 - Police Organization and Administration 3 credits
CRM 426 - Theories of Criminal Behavior 3 credits
CRM 499 - Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice 3 credits

Concentration Courses (15 credit hours)

Complete five courses from the following: any 300- or 400-level CRM courses.

Note that PSY 330 - Forensic Psychology and SSC 328 - Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior are also eligible.

Electives

(Related electives are POL 428 - International Law and Organizations and

POL 395 - Genocide, War-Crimes and Laws of War

Specializations

Criminalistics Specialization (18 credit hours)

(All six courses must be completed.)

CRM 230 - Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation 3 credits
CRM 231 - Forensic Science and Criminal Justice 3 credits
CRM 341 - History and Science of Criminal Identification 3 credits
CRM 342 - Evidence Collection and Preservation 3 credits
CRM 343 - Bodily Fluids as Evidence 3 credits
CRM 344 - Scientific Writing and Courtroom Testimony 3 credits

Homeland Security Specialization (18 credit hours)

CRM 222 - Introduction to Homeland Defense 3 credits
CRM 332 - Terrorism 3 credits
CRM 361 - Legal Issues in Counter-Terrorism 3 credits
CRM 363 - Exploitable Weaknesses in Terrorist Organizations 3 credits
CRM 365 - Local Response to Terrorism 3 credits
HTY 233 - Modern Middle East 3 credits

Field Placement

Seniors without prior experience are urged to pursue an intensive professional 6 to 15 credit hours of field placement in criminal justice. The field placement course, CRM 425 , serves as an elective course. Student attending the University Campus as majors may elect to attend the Pasco-Hernando Police Academy as their field placement for up to 12 semester hours of credit.

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Components

Criminal Justice, B.A.

Technology Competency Skills

University Campus Only Course Requirements

University Explorations (42 credit hours)

Required Courses (24 credit hours)

Concentration Courses (15 credit hours)

Specializations

Criminalistics Specialization (18 credit hours)

Homeland Security Specialization (18 credit hours)

Field Placement

General Elective Credits: Complete enough general elective credit hours to fulfill total hours required for degree completion.

Total Credits: 120

Criminal Justice Minor

Required Courses

Total Credits: 21