Skip to main content

Department of Criminal Justice Studies & Sociology

Majors, Minors & Programs


 

Criminal Justice Studies


The Criminal Justice Studies major at Westminster embraces an innovative hybrid model that roots the program in the liberal arts tradition, emphasizing the academic theories of the discipline combined with courses that will expose you to unique aspects of the field, such as victimology, corrections and policing. These specialized courses are taught by practicing professionals in the field.

An optional feature of the CJS program is the Inside-Out Prison Exchange® courses, through which traditional Westminster students take a class, offered by a certified Westminster professor inside a prison setting, alongside incarcerated students.

Many CJS graduates go on to work in criminal justice jobs, while others go on to graduate school or to find successful careers in business or higher education. Students interested in CJS as a path to a career in law could also apply to one of our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Programs, which allows students to begin law school at the end of their junior year.

 Major Requirements & Courses

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

Sociology


As a Sociology major, you can take courses covering a range of topics, including the health care system and mental illness; aging and the elderly; social class in the United States; the social institutions of the family and religion; social work and cross-cultural study of women in low-income nations; indigenous cultures; and food and culture. We supplement course readings, lecture and discussions with guest speakers, field trips, and service- and experience-based learning in the community. Students learn to think analytically and critically about society, its institutions and structures, and social interactions while developing theoretical and data interpretation skills to form their conclusions.

With its focus on equality, respect, and social justice for all, our alumni report that our curriculum prepared them for sociology careers that are deeply meaningful as they engage their minds and hearts to improve American society, and low-income societies around the globe.

 Major Requirements & Courses

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

Interdisciplinary Programs


 

Child & Family Studies


The Childhood Development minor serves to strengthen the developmental background of those students interested in working with children. This interdisciplinary program pulls together coursework from Psychology, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education to provide a foundational understanding of how children develop and learn.

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

Environmental Studies


With this flexible, interdisciplinary major, students combine environmental studies coursework with a second discipline of their choice to work on problems of the environment. For example, you could combine environmental studies with sociology for work in fields related to environmental justice. It could also be a pathway to environmental law, and students interested in law could even apply to start law school at the end of their junior year through one of our Bachelor’s Degree Plus Programs.

As an Environmental Studies major, you will benefit from hands-on, collaborative learning and partner with local and regional environmental organizations and businesses to work on real-world environmental problems. A required internship and team-based capstone gives our students the skills for success in careers and graduate school. As a bonus, we get to study the environment on our expansive and diverse 300-acre campus.

 Major Requirements & Courses

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

International Studies


International Studies program was designed for students interested in languages, travel, culture, and politics. As a major, you will take a designated core of courses in International Studies and modern languages, and then build on that foundation by selecting one of three concentrations of designated and elective courses.

The concentrations are Cultural Studies, International Politics, or Peace and Justice Studies. Students who select the Cultural Studies concentration can choose coursework to focus on either History or Modern Languages. All international studies majors also participate in an approved study abroad experience.

 Major Requirements & Courses

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

Legal Studies (Minor)


Students who plan to attend law school ordinarily pursue a standard disciplinary or interdisciplinary major, along with challenging electives outside the major. The Legal Studies minor complements any major and was designed to help you prepare for entrance to and success in law school. The minor offers courses that develop the skills of critical thinking and analysis, clear and persuasive writing, and a broad understanding of human nature and society.

Students who are interested in careers in law will also benefit from Westminster's Pre-Law Program. They may also apply to participate in one of Westminster's two Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs, which allow students to begin law school at the end of their junior year, saving a year of tuition.

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 

Peace Studies (Minor)


The Peace Studies Program is an interdisciplinary academic program designed to prepare students for the challenge of living in an increasingly diverse and global community. Recent uncertainties about the nature of world security make this an especially opportune time for Peace Studies. In addition to understanding conflict and its resolution, coursework emphasizes global awareness, multiculturalism, public policy, ethics, and human rights. You can tailor your course selections to meet post-graduation goals, which will enhance your ability to secure jobs in an increasingly global economy and multicultural society. Through service learning at the local, national, or international level, you will translate your competencies into action.

If your academic plan does not have sufficient flexiblity to complete the courses required for a minor, you may choose to complete a concentration in Peace Studies, which requires fewer courses. You can also pursue a major in Peace Studies through our Interdisciplinary Major.

 Minor Requirements & Courses

 Concentration Requirements & Courses

 

Pre-Law Program (Pre-Professional Program)


Westminster has great success in placing students into law school. Rather than a narrow "pre-law" major, which most law schools and employers discourage, as a pre-law student at Westminster, you will choose a major that excites your interests and challenges your mind. The liberal studies requirements and available electives provide the breadth and depth of coursework throughout the liberal arts curriculum that are central to success in law school and the legal profession. Further, the faculty who advise the Pre-Law Program provide information and advice on career opportunities in law and law-related fields, help with internship choices, and assist in your preparation for admission to law schools.

Many of our pre-law students pursue a Legal Studies minor. You may also apply to participate in one of Westminster's two Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs, which allow students to begin law school at the end of their junior year, saving a year of tuition.

 Learn More

 

Individual Interdisciplinary Major


The individual interdisciplinary major allows students to design their own majors. Students identify a core of course work in one program of study (major or minor), and then add coursework from other disciplines to craft an educational experience as unique as their ambitions.

Recent real-life examples of Individual Interdisciplinary majors include:

  • Medical Sociology (Sociology and Biology)
  • Criminal Psychology (Criminal Justice Studies and Psychology)
  • Environmental Science Project Management(Environmental Science and Business)

For more information, contact an Admissions Counselor today.

 

Bachelor's Degree Plus Programs


 

Bachelor's Degree + Law Degree (3+3 Programs)


In addition to having access to our robust 4-year Pre-Law Program, students interested in law could start law school at the end of their junior year through our partnerships with Widener University Commonwealth Law School and Duquesne University School of Law. Through these partnership, eligible students earn both a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in just six years, saving time and money.

 Learn More

 

Bachelor’s Degree + MBA (4+1 Program)


As a Westminster undergraduate student, you can get a headstart on your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree by beginning your master's coursework during the second semester of your senior year.

Available to qualifying Westminster students with any major, our MBA program emphasizes real-world business issues integrating communication, accounting, finance, marketing, law, ethics, operations management and human resources in order to prepare you to thoughtfully and ethically lead in public and private sector organizations. The program offers students the choice of four concentrations: Management, Business and Data Analytics, Healthcare Management, or Sustainability (Green MBA).

For more information, contact the Chair of the School of Business, Dr. Robert Badowski.

Robert Badowski

Associate Professor/Chair
Robert Badowski

 

Learn More about the Department of Criminal Justice Studies & Sociology