
Criminal Justice
Dillard University Criminal Justice Bachelor’s of Arts Degree
Learn a multi-layered discipline that considers the health of communities by studying the court system, law enforcement and corrections. Criminal Justice provides opportunities for the research of criminology and investigation into ethical criminal procedures on the local, state and federal levels. Let Dillard Criminal Justice provide you with a pathway into law, policing, corrections, intelligence, education or government in addition to other areas where you can become a leader who helps protect communities.
Mission
The Criminal Justice program is guided by the University’s mission to unite with the community through scholarship, teaching, civic engagement and service with a firm commitment to improve the human condition. Consistent with this mission, the Criminal Justice program provides students with a thorough understanding of how the criminal justice system works and its impact on American citizens.
Students gain an understanding of the role of the police, courts and corrections in our criminal justice system while understanding that their moral obligation is to assist in improving the human condition. In addition to learning the intricacies of the criminal justice system, the curriculum prepares students to enter and successfully complete graduate and professional school programs.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major criminological theories and their implications for social policy.
- Articulate the structure and function of the criminal justice system.
- Analyze statistical data on crime and incarceration rates in the U.S.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
Visit the Dillard University School of Stem to learn more.
Mission
The MISSION of Dillard University’s Center for Racial Justice is to bring systemic change to the way policing is done in communities of color and to promote partnerships with law enforcement including police departments and sheriff’s office, graduate, and professional schools. The Center for Racial Justice will be a reservoir for lectures, research, advocacy training, civic engagement, and political participation.
Vision
The Center for Racial Justice’s VISION is to work with the community to address racism and injustice. The Center for Racial Justice is focused on community and relationship building in addressing accountability in addressing individuals and systems of oppression. The work of the Center for Racial justice is an active process and in partnership with the community in addressing a more accountable, and inclusive society.
The Center for Racial Justice collaborates groups and organizations to achieve its mission. Currently, CRJ is partnering with:
John Jay College’s Center for Policing Equity
Dillard’s Criminal Justice Club
Criminal Justice Honor Society
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice
Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 30 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 51 credit hours
Major Requirements
- CJ 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr.
- CJ 206 – Policing in Society 3 cr.
- CJ 310 – Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr.
- CJ 311 – The Sociology of Corrections 3 cr.
- CJ 320 – Criminal Law and Procedure 3 cr.
- CJ 403 – Criminological Theory 3
- CJ 405 – Criminology 3 cr.
- CJ 431 – Field Experience 3 cr.
- CJ 450 – Senior Seminar 3 cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
Includes minor in another discipline
- CS 101 – Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- POL 201 – American National Government 3 cr.
- PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
- SOC 102 – Social Problems 3 cr.
- Sociology Elective 3 cr.
- Sociology Elective 3 cr.
- SOC 308 – Social Research 3 cr.
- SOW 470 – Chemical Dependency 3 cr.
- STA 306 – Social Statistics 3 cr.
- Minor or General Electives: 18 cr.
- Social Science Elective: 3 cr.
Criminal Justice Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
- PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
- SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. ♦
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
- Physical Education Activity Elective I ♦
Total: 15
Second Semester
- African Diaspora 3 cr.
- CS 101 – Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- Natural Science Elective (Lecture / Lab) 4 cr.
- SOC 102 – Social Problems 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦
Total: 17
Second Year
First Semester
- CJ 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr.
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. ♦ or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr. ♦
- POL 201 – American National Government 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- CJ 206 – Policing in Society 3 cr.
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- HIS 202 – U. S. History 1865 to Present 3 cr.
- SPT 204 – Public Speaking 3 cr. ♦
Total: 15
Third Year
First Semester
- CJ 310 – Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr.
- CJ 311 – The Sociology of Corrections 3 cr.
- STA 306 – Social Statistics 3 cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective, Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- PSY 213 – Psychology of Personality 3 cr. Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- CJ 320 – Criminal Law and Procedure 3 cr.
- SOC 308 – Social Research 3 cr.
- Criminal Justice Elective 3 cr.
- Sociology Elective 3 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Fourth Year
First Semester
- CJ 403 – Criminological Theory 3
- CJ 405 – Criminology 3 cr.
- CJ 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Sociology Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- CJ 431 – Field Experience 3 cr.
- CJ 450 – Senior Seminar 3 cr.
- CJ 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)
- SOW 470 – Chemical Dependency 3 cr.
- URB 335 , Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Total Required Hours: 122
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
Introducing Dillard University’s first 100% online degree program! Earn your degree in criminal justice from anywhere in the U.S. from one of the nation’s leading liberal arts universities.
With a legacy of producing world-changing alumni, Dillard offers a bachelor’s degree program focused on today’s most pressing issues to produce the ethical leaders of tomorrow.
In a flexible learning environment, take courses that focus on:
- Cyber crime
- Cultural diversity in criminal justice
- Understanding police brutality
- Politics and criminal justice
- Understanding chemical dependency
- Ethics
- Understanding juvenile delinquency
- Examining terrorism and more
Program Benefits
Enjoy discounted tuition as part of Dillard’s Evening & Weekend Studies program.
Gain access to a network and opportunities to further your career.
Two-year college students, transfer up to 60 credits shortening your journey to earning a bachelor’s degree!
Get access to Dillard’s signature academic support and instructors who treat you as if you matter…because you DO.
Learn from a sought-after media expert in criminology.
Attend virtual events from Dillard’s highly regarded Center for Racial Justice.
Are you a future member of the New Orleans Police Department?
Enjoy the flexibility of the online environment plus 20 police academy credits!
Questions?
Contact Dr. Ashraf Esmail at 504.816.4599 or aesmail@dillard.edu.
Total credits needed to graduate | 122
Employment Outlook
Dillard Criminal Justice offers excellent educational opportunities to traditional students and active employees of criminal justice agencies. The Occupational Outlook handbook clearly demonstrates the need for not only more criminal justice professionals, but for better-prepared applicants. Dillard can help you prepare for entry into federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.
According to the Department of Labor, there are more than 700,000 people employed as police officers, detectives, and special agents in the United States, an additional 803,000 people working in private security, and 282,000 engaged as correction officers. The jobs undertaken by these individuals include general police operations, enforcing the laws in both urban and rural areas, investigating crimes, and working for federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Treasury, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Others are employed by private security companies as guards for large and small corporations or industrial complexes. Employment opportunities are also available in the areas of corrections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts growth in all areas of Criminal Justice employment.
Career Options
SOCIAL SERVICES
*Corrections *Counseling *Juvenile Justice *Casework *Administration *Probations & Parole *Victim Advocacy
JUDICIARY AND LAW
*Attorney *Court Reporting *Legal Assistance *Legal Research *Administration
LAW ENFORCEMENT
*Patrolling *Investigating *Forensics *Probation *Security
BUSINESS
*Private Security *Consulting *Investigating *Systems Integration *Global Intelligence *Private Investigation *Internet Security *Loss and Prevention
EDUCATION
*Teaching *Research

Dr. Ashraf Esmail
