Justice Studies, BS

Overview

The undergraduate program in Justice Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that engages in critical analysis of justice issues. Core classes focus on theory and empirical research that addresses the relationship between law, justice, the justice system, and society. Electives address several more specialized and topical justice-related issues. Two majors are offered: Justice Studies, BS, and Justice Studies, Criminology Concentration, BS.

Our innovative approach ensures students develop skills (i.e., the ability to understand, analyze, and critique) that can be used to help transform and empower our communities.

Curriculum and Requirements

Visit the catalog website for current degree requirements

Our undergraduate curriculum is designed to cover the broad nature of Justice in local, national, and transnational contexts. The Criminology Concentration emphasizes the science of crime and reactions to crime. In either major, students take courses in the following competency areas:

  1. Theories
  2. Methodologies
  3. Critical Inquiries
  4. Local, Transnational, and Historical Perspectives
  5. Experiential Learning

Minimum Grade Requirements

Students must pass all preparation for the major and major courses with a C or better to count toward earning the BS degree. Those courses passed, but not with a C or better, count toward university electives, but they are discarded from consideration for meeting major requirements.

Students have only two opportunities to pass core and required courses (JS 100W, JS 101, JS 102, JS 114, JS 151, and JS 189 or FS 169) with a C or better. Any student with a final grade of C- or lower on the first attempt will be placed on administrative probation with a registration hold. They must take their probation letter to their advisor to have the hold lifted. They must retake the class the following semester.

Any student repeating a core course who fails to earn a C or higher will be disqualified from their Justice Studies major—even if it is the last course in the degree program.

To repeat a class, students must wait a few weeks before the semester to register. The University delays access to repeaters to ensure that first-time course takers are prioritized. Often students retake classes to take advantage of the University's grade forgiveness to repair their GPA. 

Students repeating non-core or non-required courses for the third time must get permission using a form and obtain an add/permission code from the class instructor (or JS Main Office for JS 189 or FS 169). The chair will not normally approve a request to take a course for the third time.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding your application to the Justice Studies Programs, please contact the Undergraduate Coordinator Dr. Alessandro DeGiorgi.

Meet with an Advisor

Visit the Academic Advising page for current advising office hours.

Apply for the Justice Studies Program

Visit the Admissions website for more information on how to apply for enrollment to San José State University.

For currently admitted students, visit the Declare Major page to learn more about how to declare the major.