Degree programs
Criminal Justice BA
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice provides students with a broad understanding of crime and justice institutions and processes, from classic criminological perspectives on human behavior to contemporary issues and controversies in criminal law. Learn more...
About Transfer Pathways
Transfer Pathways can help you earn a bachelor’s degree without losing credits or taking extra courses. Transfer Pathways are designed for you to complete a 60 credit associate’s degree at a Minnesota State college, then transfer to Metropolitan State University and complete the final 60 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Working closely with your academic advisor at both the community college and Metro State will ensure you select the correct courses in the right sequence in order to graduate in a timely manner.
About Metro State
- Is a fully accredited, comprehensive university, a member of the Minnesota State higher education system, and offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 60 programs.
- Is unique as over 87% of our students are transfer students who started their academic journey elsewhere.
- Offers evening, online and hybrid course options, as well as day classes to better fit working and caregiving adult schedules.
Once admitted, contact your Metro State academic advisor early in your program to get the most out of your education, such as completing two majors, adding a minor related to your career goals, or incorporating prerequisites required for graduate school.
Nearing completion of your associate’s degree?
We encourage you to take the next steps today in learning more about what Metropolitan State can offer you and how to enroll, Learn more or visit campus.
Metro State Curriculum
Courses and requirements in addition to eligibility criteria some programs have are found on each program’s page. A grade of C- or higher is required for major courses, including transfer coursework.
A sample plan is provided below for the remaining 60 credits of coursework required at Metro State after completion of the corresponding Transfer Pathway degree. Use your Degree Audit to review and confirm your remaining requirements at Metro State. Part-time options are also available.
Graduation/Degree requirements, course list for General Education, Upper Division Liberal Studies (LS), and Racial Issue Graduation Requirements (RIGR) are available to view on the Academic and graduation requirements page.
Notes: Recommend to select MnTC courses to satisfy two goal areas if needed
Upper Division Liberal Studies (LS) = 8 upper-division credits required
Racial Issue Graduation Requirement (RIGR)= 3 credits required
After you finish a curriculum of lower-division credits (and become an admitted Metro student), you’ll complete your four-year degree with upper-division credits from Metropolitan State University. Degree requirements—and any eligibility criteria some programs have in addition to university admissions—are found on each program’s page.
- Criminal Justice (CJS) CJS students have flexibility about when they take core courses, with only a couple of exceptions.
- CJS 201 is the prerequisite for most other core courses and many electives, so that must be taken in the first semester.
- CJS 301 is the enforced prerequisite for CJS 489 or CJS 490, so must be taken prior to CJS 489 or 490.
- CJS 320, 360, and 375 are suggested prerequisites for CJS 489 or 490, but may be taken as co-requisites with CJS 489 or CJS 490.
- Students may transfer in equivalent courses which will adjust major courses required and overall electives needed to meet University credit requirements. In other words, students with transfer equivalencies may need to take additional electives to meet the 40 upper division credit requirement and/or the 120 total credit requirement.
- The best time to take electives is likely the first fall semester and the last spring semester, based on scheduling of other courses.
- Students are encouraged to work closely with their Academic Advisor to review transfer of credits and coursework remaining to complete University degree requirements.
Criminal Justice BA full-time sample plan
Semester 1: 14 credits
| Course No. | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJS 201 | Foundations in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJS 210 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| CJS 360 | Diversirt in Criminal Justice | 4 |
| Elective Course | 4 |
Notes: May take directed elective credits also, assuming they do not require CJS 201 to have been taken as prerequisite. This also assumes that incoming pathway student has taken CJS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice as part of their Associates degree program.
Semester 2: 16 credits
| Course No. | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJS 305 | The Criminal Court System | 4 |
| CJS 350 | Citizenship in Criminal Justice or CJS 354 Restorative Justice | 4 |
| CJS 375 | Ethics and Professionalism in Criminal Justice | 4 |
| Elective Course | 4 |
Note: Assumes CJS 101 equivalent has been taken at the community college.
Semester 3: 15 credits
| Course No. | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJS 300 | Corrections and Community Corrections | 4 |
| CJS 301 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 4 |
| CJS 320 | Criminology and Public Policy | 4 |
| Directed Electives | 3 |
Note: Assumes CJS 101 equivalent has been taken at the community college.
Semester 4: 15 credits
| Course No. | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJS 489 | Criminal Justice Capstione: Internship or Research (490) | 4 |
| LAWE 330 | Policing and Society | 4 |
| Directed Electives | 7 |
Note: Assumes CJS 101 equivalent has been taken at the community college.
