Frequently Asked Questions
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Does CJC have a paralegal program?
No, but Community College Denver offers a paralegal program. However, be aware that paralegal courses rarely transfer into MSU Denver's CJC program.
Where do we direct pre-law advising?
In order to be accepted to a law school, students must earn a baccalaureate degree. While the undergraduate degree does not matter, the criminal justice program is excellent preparation for law school as it offers many law related courses. Many CJC graduates go on to law school and subsequently engage in the practice law.
Does the department have a post-certification program?
No, MSU Denver does not. Students may call Red Rocks Comm. College, Aurora Community College and/or Arapahoe Community College.
Is there an emphasis area or minor required for the CJC degree?
Yes, for anyone starting their degree during the fall 2007 academic year. However, anyone starting their degree after fall 2000 but before fall 2007 is not required to earn a minor.. See response to questions seven and 16 below.
Does MSU Denver/CJC have a Cadet programs?
No, MSU Denver or CJC does not have a cadet program. However, the City and County of Denver does have a cadet program through the Office of the Manager of Safety. Contact information is (720) 913-3578, Website: www.denver.gov. Students are employed through the City & County of Denver for this program. Other police departments, county sheriffs and municipalities or county governments may offer a similar program, but these are volunteers, generally.
Does MSU Denver have a Masters (i.e. Graduate) program?
There is no current Masters program in Criminal Justice and Criminology at MSU Denver. However MSU Denver does have masters/graduate programs in selected areas such as Social Work, Teaching and Accounting. For a criminal justice related graduate class students can contact the Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado—Downtown Campus at (303) 315-2228, Website www.ucdenver.edu.
Does CJC have Homeland Security programs?
MSU Denver/CJC does not have a Homeland Security program. Students should check the Department of Homeland Security Website at http://www.dhs.gov/ for availability of and qualifications for employment.
Who is in charge of CJC correspondence classes?
The Extended Campus office organizes the correspondence classes for MSU Denver. To register and obtain other information on correspondence class, please contact the office at (303)721-1313.
Can I complete my CJC degree online?
Not entirely. Research Methods in Criminal Justice, CJC 2020, is a required class and is not offered online.
GRADES and CLASSES
Can I substitute a course for a required course?
While there may be unique circumstances for individual students, the general response is that no substitutions are available for MSU Denver/CJC offered courses for a required course in the major. However for transfer students, a course with comparable content from another institution may substitute for a CJC required course. This requires a CAPP adjustment form with the Chair’s signature. The process recommended requires students to speak with an advisor to obtain a favorable recommendation and to complete the form to forward to the Chair with a CAPP report and/or an explanation for seeking the substitution. For students following a pre-fall 2007 catalog, there are some required substitutions for courses no longer offered. Please refer to the following document for a list of these substitutions:
CJC Course Substitution Guidelines (
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If a CJC major gets a “D” in a required class; do the student have to repeat the class?
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall, a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the Major and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the Minor. Students are not required to take the class again, but the low grade does lower the overall GPA.
How do students obtain an internship?
Students must register and comply with requirements of The Internship Center. The Internship Center is located at 1045 Ninth Street Park. The CJC department has an Internship Coordinator who assists students in obtaining and developing internships.
If a class for which a student seeks to register has no seats, is there a wait list or/and how can I enroll for the class?
Unfortunately there is no wait list and the only alternative is to continue attempting to register. There is some activity after registration for the semester and before the semester begins of students dropping and adding classes. Students should keep in mind that registration is on a “first come—first served” basis so when an available seat in a class occurs there is a “race to the computer.”
What is an individualized Degree Program?
The Individualized Degree Program offers students the opportunity to design a major or a minor to meet their specific educational goals when those goals cannot be met by majors and minors currently offered by MSU Denver. Each student works closely with an advisor in the Center for Individualized Learning and a faculty mentor to design a coherent program of study to meet the student’s specific educational objectives. Each student's proposed program shall be approved by the department chair from which the majority of credit is drawn and by the dean of the appropriate School. All requirements for any bachelor's degree from the college apply. Either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in Individualized Studies may be sought. Specific information and assistance is available from the Center for Individualized Learning at 303-556-8342, Central Classroom 106. See page 46 of this Catalog for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Does the CJC Department have Scholarships available?
The Department has limited scholarship money. Monies for scholarships are available through the MSU Denver Foundation. Information is available from the Scholarship Center, Website: http://www.msudenver.edu/financialaid/ Telephone Number: (303) 556-6384.
ADVISING
To Whom do students direct forensic and Criminalistics questions?
Forensics and Criminalistics questions should be directed to the chemistry department 303-556-2610.
How many credit hours are required for a major in criminal justice?
120 semester hours of which 40 semester hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses) are required for all degrees. Commencing fall 2007 students must complete 48 semester hours of CJC coursework including 39 hours of required coursework and nine hours of elective credit with a CJC prefix. Students must complete a college approved minor of at least 18 semester hours. Students following a catalog prior to fall 2007 and after fall 2000 must complete 63 semester hours of coursework. The 63 hours includes 33 hours of CJC required coursework, 18 hours of CJC electives and 12 hours of social science. No minor is required. Students admitted or readmitted, i.e., students absent for three consecutive semesters, must follow the catalog in effect at the time of admission or readmission.
Where can students receive information on the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)?
Students may visit the website: www.lsac.org or call 1-215-968-1001 or contact the Pre-Law Society through the Political Science Department.
How should I verify my graduation status?
The Office of the Registrar Graduation Services is located in CN 203. Feel free to visit to submit your current graduation application, or discuss your degree status and commencement activities. We are also responsible to makes approved adjustments to students’ CAPP reports, perform the final degree checks, prepare for the fall and spring commencement ceremonies, and distribute diplomas.
Will an advisor run a CAPP report for me?
Faculty will provide students with a CAPP report; however, sometimes faculty may choose to use an appropriate advising sheet with a check off for courses taken or in progress. Either method will provide a benefit for students. Students and faculty must make certain that there is sufficient time to explain the CAPP report or the advising sheet thoroughly and completely for accuracy in advising. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising at least once a semester prior to registration for the following semester and to check on academic progress and status.
When does registration begin?
To register for classes, a student must have a Registration Permit. Availability of permits is based on student hours completed and/or transferred into MSU Denver and are found on ConnectU. For further information log onto the MSU Denver website: www.msudenver.edu.
Does the CJC Department recommend a minor for the CJC major?
The Department makes no formal recommendation but students may choose their own minor based on interest, convenience and career goals. Some minors students have include the social sciences—Sociology, Psychology, Political Science—History, Criminalistics, Management as well as others from the School of Business, English writing minor, Spanish among others.
Does the CJC Department require a specific math class?
The Department does not require a specific math class, but in order to register for CJC 2020, Research Methods and Basic Statistics for Criminal Justice Professional, students must have completed the General Studies, Level I Math requirement. To view the approved Level I General Studies math class see the MSU Denver Catalog Level I Mathematic Course listing through the MSU Denver website www.msudenver.edu
What is the process to recommend to a transfer student with criminal justice courses accepted but not placed in the major or category?
Transfer students who have taken criminal justice courses at other institutions may find courses with a CJC prefix on their transfer evaluation or on a CAPP report. If there is no equivalency listed for transfer courses then the student must see a CJC faculty advisor as soon as possible for guidance. Students should be prepared with a course description or other adequate explanation for the course and suggestions with rationale for an equivalency CJC course.
I took two courses with the same course number:
|
Old Course # |
New Course # |
Old Course Name |
New Course Name |
|
CJC 3290 |
CJC 3290 |
Probation, Parole & Community Corrections |
Probation & Parole |
|
CJC 3350 |
CJC 3350 |
Seminar in Delinquency, Prevention and control |
Juvenile Justice & Delinquency |
|
CJC 3400 |
CJC 3400 |
Criminal behavior and Criminal Careers |
Criminological Theories |
|
CJC 405E |
CJC 3270 |
Professional Seminar/Community Corrections |
Community Corrections |
|
CJC 405P |
CJC 3430 |
Drugs & Society |
Drugs & Society |
|
CJC 405Q |
CJC 3440 |
American Gangsters |
American Gangsters |
|
CJC 405R |
CJC 3560 |
Crime Mapping & Analysis |
Crime Mapping & Analysis |
|
CJC 405S |
CJC 3470 |
Punishment & Society |
Punishment & Society |
|
CJC 4250 |
CJC 4250 |
Problem & Community Oriented Policing |
Community Policing |
|
CJC 4300 |
CJC 4300 |
The American Correctional System |
Institutional Corrections |
Is there a sequence of courses for students to follow as they go through the CJC academic program?
The sequence of courses depends on whether the student is a full-time student, a transfer or native student as well as other factors. The general recommendation is to take a variety of courses from the various categories, i.e., major, minor, general studies, to satisfy the degree requirements and to have a balance of courses throughout the curriculum as progress is made toward graduation. However, there is a suggested sequence for a full-time student (15 semester hours per semester) with no previous college coursework. The suggested sequence follows:
First Semester
Eng 1010, Eng Comp
Math class—general studies level 1
CJC 1010, Intro to CJ
Communication Class—general studies level 1
CJC 1450, Intro to Corrections
Total 15 semester hours
Second Semester
History—general studies level 2
ENG 1020, Eng. Comp.
Arts & Letters—general studies level 2
CJC 2100, Sub. Criminal Law
Social Science—general studies level 2
Total 15 semester hours
Third Semester
CJC 2210, American Policing
Arts & Letters—general studies level 2
Minor Introductory Course
CJC 2020, Research Methods for CJC
Professional
Natural Science—general studies level 2
Total 15 semester hours
Fourth Semester
Social science—general studies level 2
CJC lower division elective or CJC 3110, Constitutional Issues
Natural Science—general studies level 2
Multi-Cultural Course
Minor Course
Total 15 semester hours
Fifth Semester
CJC 3130, Victimology
CJC 3200, CJ Adm. Behavior
CJC Upper Division Elective
Minor Course CJC 3110, Constitutional Issues or elective course (toward 120)
Total 15 semester hours
Sixth Semester
CJC 3410, CJ and Social Structure
CJC 3350, Juvenile Justice
Minor Course
Upper division elective (toward 120)
CJC Upper division elective
Total 15 semester hours
Seventh Semester
CJC 3400, Criminological Theories
CJC 4300, Institutional Corrections
Upper Division electives (or minor courses if necessary) (9 hours)
Total 15 semester hours
Eighth Semester
CJC 4650, Ethics for CJ Professional
Upper Division Electives (or minor, if applicable) (3 hours)
CJC Upper Division Electives (if necessary)
Other necessary electives (toward 120)
Total 15 semester hours
GENERAL QUESTIONS
I'm unhappy about my professor, where can I make a complaint?
First, if possible, please try to resolve any complaints and/or dissatisfaction directly with the staff or faculty member. If you feel resolution is not possible at the lowest levels, then you may proceed under the protocols outlined by the Dean of Students/AVP Student Engagement and Wellness:
