Criminal Justice (BS)

What is Criminal Justice? 

A degree in criminal justice critically examines the nature of crime and how the system responds to and attempts to manage crime. We prepare students intellectually and ethically to understand the complexities of crime, make communities safer, and ensure justice. Our program offers students opportunities for field experience internships, community-engaged research, and analytic writing, preparing them for professional roles or advanced study in graduate or law school.

What can I do with a Criminal Justice Degree? 

Career options in criminal justice are virtually limitless, and many CJ majors earn careers in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, or a variety of non-profit organizations that serve the criminal justice system. Additionally, many continue on to graduate school earning a master's, doctoral, or Juris Doctor.

Wayne County Community College District Associate Degree Options

• Associate in Arts (AA)
• Associate in Science (AS)
• Associate of General Studies (AGS)
• Criminal Justice: Corrections (AAS)
• Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement (AAS)
• Other degree programs are possible but may exceed 120 total credits:

Recommended degree program: Criminal Justice: Corrections (AAS), or Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement (AAS)    

Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Satisfies Wayne State University's General Education Requirements

*All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the two-course sequence in a single foreign language. Proficiency is demonstrated by completing courses numbered 1010 and 1020 in one of the following subject area codes: ARB, ARM, CHI, FRE, GER, GKA, GKM, HEB, ITA, JPN, LAT, POL, RUS, SPA, SWA, and UKR.

Notes:

• The range of credit hours (Associate degree requirements and additional electives) allows for earning credentials, such as certificates, or additional transfer credit while completing an associate degree. Some course(s) not included in the pathway may satisfy Wayne State requirements. 
• The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), Associate in Arts (AA), or Associate in Science (AS) satisfies Wayne State’s university general education requirements.
• All courses and equivalencies based on catalog year 2024-2025

The following courses are required to finish the degree requirements.  Any pathway course(s) not completed at the community college can be completed at Wayne State University.

Primary contacts

                  Wayne County Community College District
                  District Division of Student Services
                  Ms. Nanette Williams-Armstrong
                  313-496-2634 | nwillia2@wcccd.edu     

   Transfer Student Success Center 
   313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
   Criminology and Criminal Justice Department
   313-577-2705 | Undergraduate advising | crj@wayne.edu         

Notes:

• You can review how all courses transfer using the course equivalency tool. For a self-service, customized WSU degree audit, please visit https://wayne.edu/transfer/tess
• Wayne State requires a minimum of 30 credits in residency.
• The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).  See transfer credit guidelines.
• All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at the community college will need to be taken at WSU.
• The pathway was signed March 9, 2023.
• These pathways do not replace the importance of academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.