Criminal Justice:

At Southern Wesleyan University, the Social Sciences Division offers a B.A. degree with a major in Criminal Justice, as well as a minor in Criminal Justice. The major and minor are for students interested in careers as law enforcement officers, attorneys, corrections officials, and parole officers. The program highlights courses in social science and management that are useful in criminal justice careers.

In addition to Criminal Justice, Southern Wesleyan offers a B.Sc. in Forensic Science through the Division of Science. This major is designed for students seeking careers in crime labs, or criminalistics. The program highlights the requisite courses in biology, chemistry, and forensics needed for a career in this area.

What Southern Wesleyan Criminal Justice students are doing.

Students at Southern Wesleyan University have achieved the following outcomes:
Joseph Reeder – Military Intelligence Analyst, U.S. Army
Garret Morgan - Law Enforcement Officer
Colin Carter - Nondestructive Testing Specialist, U.S. Air Force

Internships and Research Opportunities

The opportunity exists for students to conduct independent studies in Criminal Justice, as well as participate in internships with a variety of organizations. In addition, Southern Wesleyan offers an honors program, which involves the completion of an intensive, specialized project in Criminal Justice.

Pre-Law

At Southern Wesleyan, students who are interested in law have chosen majors in English, History, or Psychology. In addition, students should consider Criminal Justice, or the Pre-law concentration within the Social Science major. These majors are designed to allow students to take a double major, combining any of the two majors listed.

Transfer Credits

Southern Wesleyan accepts many credit courses on transfer from South Carolina technical colleges and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. These transfer courses may count towards credit in a number of majors, including Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Human Services.

Course Requirements

Introduction to Criminal Justice
Introduction to Forensic Science
Statistics
Research Methods
Race and Ethnic Relations
Social Problems

At least 2 of the following 3 courses:
Principles of Management
Organizational Behavior
Criminal Justice Management

At least 12 hours from the following:
Police and Community
Introduction to Business Law I
Forensic Psychology
Social Psychology
Criminal Investigation
Special Topics in Criminal Justice
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Practicum in Social Sciences

Capstone Work
At least three credit hours in an independent study or capstone course in criminal justice or a related area (e.g., Social Science) where the student either [1] takes a comprehensive examination, or [2] engages in original research and/or independent study in a topic related to criminal justice.

For other majors and additional information in the Division of Social Sciences, please contact: Steven Hayduk, Chair, Social Sciences Division shayduk@swu.edu 864.644.5038